Carbamazepine and Cenobamate interaction
Carbamazepine and Cenobamate: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Carbamazepine (EQUETRO) label · effective 2025-08-19
Limited evidence suggests that HLA-B*1502 may be a risk factor for the development of SJS/TEN in patients of Chinese ancestry taking other anti-epileptic drugs associated with SJS/TEN, including phenytoin.
It may be necessary to reduce the EQUETRO dose if used concomitantly with inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or epoxide hydrolase.
Cytochrome (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors, epoxide hydrolase inhibitors, CYP3A4 inducers, drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 (oral contraceptives, delavirdine, nefazodone), phenytoin, CNS depressants, lithium, chloroquine, mefloquine ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 )
The following drugs are CYP3A4 inhibitors: Acetazolamide, aprepitant, azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole ) , cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, dalfopristin, danazol, dantrolene, delavirdine, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, grapefruit juice, ibuprofen, isoniazid, loratadine, nefazodone, niacinamide,…
From the Cenobamate (Xcopri) label · effective 2025-08-25
Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine: Increase dosage as needed when used concomitantly with XCOPRI.
…Substrate Clinical Recommendation Antiepileptic Drugs lamotrigine ↓ plasma concentrations Because of a potential for reduced efficacy of these drugs, increase the dosage of lamotrigine or carbamazepine, as needed, when used concomitantly with XCOPRI. carbamazepine ↓ plasma concentrations phenytoin ↑ plasma concentrations Because of a potential 2-fold increase in phenytoin…
Concomitant use with other CNS depressants or alcohol may have additive effects.
Anyone considering prescribing XCOPRI or any other AED must balance this risk with the risk of untreated illness.
Patients should be carefully observed for signs of central nervous system (CNS) depression, such as somnolence and sedation, when XCOPRI is used with other drugs with sedative properties because of potential additive effects.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.