Drug interactions
Oxcarbazepine + Ritonavir
Severity: Moderate
Oxcarbazepine and Ritonavir: 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
Oxcarbazepine may lower ritonavir concentrations, which matters particularly when ritonavir is used as a pharmacokinetic booster for other protease inhibitors. Reduced boosting can cause virologic failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxcarbazepine and Ritonavir 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.
Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Ritonavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction increases ritonavir metabolism.
What to do
Monitor HIV viral load and prefer a non-inducing anticonvulsant. Check antiretroviral levels if available.
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
Other interactions of Ritonavir
- Alfuzosin + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Ritonavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Ritonavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxcarbazepine with Ritonavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxcarbazepine and Ritonavir 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. Oxcarbazepine may lower ritonavir concentrations, which matters particularly when ritonavir is used as a pharmacokinetic booster for other protease inhibitors. Reduced boosting can cause virologic failure.
How serious is the interaction between Oxcarbazepine and Ritonavir?
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 HIV viral load and prefer a non-inducing anticonvulsant. Check antiretroviral levels if available.
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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