Carbamazepine and Fosphenytoin interaction

Carbamazepine and Fosphenytoin: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Fosphenytoin (CEREBYX) label · effective 2025-08-28

Major

Consider avoiding CEREBYX as an alternative to carbamazepine in patients who are positive for HLA-B*1502 or in CYP2C9*3 carriers.

Warnings and precautionsnames CarbamazepineView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Studies in patients of Chinese ancestry have found a strong association between the risk of developing SJS/TEN and the presence of HLA-B*1502, an inherited allelic variant of the HLA B gene, in patients using carbamazepine.

Warnings and precautionsnames CarbamazepineView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Additionally, consider alternatives to structurally similar drugs such as carboxamides (e.g., carbamazepine), barbiturates, succinimides, and oxazolidinediones (e.g., trimethadione) in these same patients.

Warnings and precautionsnames CarbamazepineView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…trazodone, warfarin Drugs that may decrease phenytoin serum levels Antineoplastic agents usually in combination Bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, methotrexate Antiviral agents Fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir Antiepileptic drugs Carbamazepine, vigabatrin Other Chronic alcohol abuse, diazepam, diazoxide, folic acid, reserpine, rifampin, St.

Drug interactionsnames CarbamazepineView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Carbamazepine, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, lacosamide Antiplatelets Ticagrelor Antilipidemic agents Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin Antiviral agents Efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir Fosamprenavir: phenytoin when given with fosamprenavir alone may decrease the concentration of amprenavir,…

Drug interactionsnames CarbamazepineView label on DailyMed

From the Carbamazepine (EQUETRO) label · effective 2025-08-19

Moderate

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.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not 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.