Oxcarbazepine oral tablet interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with oxcarbazepine immediate-release oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, food, or certain health conditions.

For coupon options for oxcarbazepine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.

Oxcarbazepine comes as immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and a suspension* that you swallow. Interactions of oxcarbazepine may vary depending on the form of oxcarbazepine you’re prescribed.

* Immediate-release tablets release the drug into your body all at once. Extended-release tablets release the drug into your body slowly over time. A suspension is a type of liquid mixture.

Other drugs and oxcarbazepine

Before taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions or oxcarbazepine warnings, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The drugs in the list below may interact with oxcarbazepine oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with oxcarbazepine.

Drug classes or drugs that may interact with oxcarbazepine oral tablet include:

• hormonal forms of birth control:
  • drug examples: ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Altavera, Dolishale, Seasonique, others)
  • what might happen: could make hormonal birth control less effective
• certain antidepressants:
  • drug examples: amitriptyline, citalopram (Celexa)
  • what might happen: can cause low sodium levels
• certain calcium channel blockers:
  • drug examples: nifedipine (Procardia XL), felodipine
  • what might happen: could make certain calcium channel blockers less effective
• certain HIV drugs:
  • drug examples: cabotegravir (Vocabria, Apretude), cobicistat (Tybost)
  • what might happen: could make certain HIV drugs less effective
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others):
  • what might happen: could make oxcarbazepine less effective
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, others):
  • what might happen: could make cyclosporine less effective
• phenobarbital:
  • what might happen: could make oxcarbazepine less effective
• phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek):
  • what might happen: could make oxcarbazepine less effective and increase the risk of phenytoin side effects
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane):
  • what might happen: could make oxcarbazepine less effective

Alcohol and oxcarbazepine

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet is known to have interactions with alcohol.

Taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:

• sleepiness
• dizziness
• headache

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

When to avoid oxcarbazepine

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with oxcarbazepine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe oxcarbazepine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here‘s a list of contraindications for oxcarbazepine oral tablet:

• Past allergic reaction to eslicarbazepine. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to eslicarbazepine (Aptiom), taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet may cause another allergic reaction.
• Past allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine oral tablet or any of its ingredients, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take oxcarbazepine.

Other interactions and oxcarbazepine

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether oxcarbazepine oral tablet has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with oxcarbazepine.

Oxcarbazepine and supplements

Before taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Oxcarbazepine interactions with herbs

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used for depression and other conditions.

Taking oxcarbazepine and St. John’s wort could make oxcarbazepine less effective.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking this or other herbs while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Oxcarbazepine interactions with vitamins

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Oxcarbazepine and food

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Oxcarbazepine and vaccines

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Oxcarbazepine and lab tests

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Oxcarbazepine and cannabis or CBD

Oxcarbazepine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with oxcarbazepine.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Health factors and oxcarbazepine

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with oxcarbazepine oral tablet. Before taking oxcarbazepine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether oxcarbazepine warnings apply to you and whether this medication is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with oxcarbazepine oral tablet:

• kidney problems
• severe liver problems
• low sodium levels
• having a gene called HLA-B*1502 in your body
• thoughts and behaviors of suicide
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• use of hormonal forms of birth control (Oxcarbazepine has interactions with birth control. See the “Other drugs and oxcarbazepine” section to read more about this.)
• past allergic reaction to carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)
• past allergic reaction to oxcarbazepine or eslicarbazepine (see “When to avoid oxcarbazepine” to learn more about this)

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Preventing oxcarbazepine interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with oxcarbazepine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking oxcarbazepine oral tablet.

Taking oxcarbazepine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about oxcarbazepine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Do other drugs that could treat my condition have interactions similar to oxcarbazepine oral tablet?
• If I take oxcarbazepine oral tablet with other medications, will my condition need to be monitored more closely?
• What pain relievers can I take with oxcarbazepine oral tablet?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.