Felbamate/Carbamazepine Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

The cause of the interaction is not known. When these two medicines are taken together, your body may process one or both medicines more quickly.

What might happen:

The blood levels and effects of both medicines may decrease.

What you should do about this interaction:

Contact your doctor if you or anyone else notices a decrease in control of your seizures.Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of this drug interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

  • 1.Fuerst RH, Graves NM, Leppik IE, Brundage RC, Holmes GB, Remmel RP. Felbamate increases phenytoin but decreases carbamazepine concentrations. Epilepsia 1988 Jul-Aug;29(4):488-91.
  • 2.Graves NM, Holmes GB, Fuerst RH, Leppik IE. Effect of felbamate on phenytoin and carbamazepine serum concentrations. Epilepsia 1989 Mar-Apr; 30(2):225-9.
  • 3.Wagner ML, Graves NM, Marienau K, Holmes GB, Remmel RP, Leppik IE. Discontinuation of phenytoin and carbamazepine in patients receiving felbamate. Epilepsia 1991 May-Jun;32(3):398-406.
  • 4.Albani F, Theodore WH, Washington P, Devinsky O, Bromfield E, Porter RJ, Nice FJ. Effect of felbamate on plasma levels of carbamazepine and its metabolites. Epilepsia 1991 Jan-Feb;32(1):130-2.
  • 5.Wagner ML, Remmel RP, Graves NM, Leppik IE. Effect of felbamate on carbamazepine and its major metabolites. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1993 May; 53(5):536-43.
  • 6.Felbatrol (felbamate) US prescribing information. MedPoint Pharmaceuticals Inc. August 27, 2012.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.