Drug interactions
Oxcarbazepine + Phenobarbital
Severity: Moderate
Oxcarbazepine and Phenobarbital: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Phenobarbital lowers concentrations of oxcarbazepine's active metabolite, and oxcarbazepine can raise phenobarbital levels. Changes in seizure control or sedation may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxcarbazepine and Phenobarbital can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Phenobarbital induces UGT and CYP enzymes that clear the active metabolite, while oxcarbazepine inhibits CYP2C19, raising phenobarbital.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and sedation, and check drug levels, adjusting doses when either drug is started or stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxcarbazepine with Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxcarbazepine and Phenobarbital can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Phenobarbital lowers concentrations of oxcarbazepine's active metabolite, and oxcarbazepine can raise phenobarbital levels. Changes in seizure control or sedation may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Oxcarbazepine and Phenobarbital?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor seizure control and sedation, and check drug levels, adjusting doses when either drug is started or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxcarbazepine with, for example, Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Oxcarbazepine page.
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