Carbamazepine Drug Interactions

Abstract

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is commonly prescribed as an anticonvulsant or for the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. The potential for clinically important drug interactions exists because CBZ may induce the hepatic metabolism of other drugs or, conversely, other drugs may induce or inhibit the metabolism of CBZ. Studies and case reports demonstrate that CBZ may accelerate the metabolism of phenytoin, phenobarbital (PB), and primidone, valproic acid, and warfarin. Likewise, phenytoin PB, and primidone may increase the hepatic metabolism of CBZ. Inhibition of the metabolism of CBZ has been caused by triacetyloleandomycin, erythromycin, propoxyphene, isoniazid, and cimetidine. Future investigations will document the clinical significance of the CBZ interactions as well as reveal new interactions.