Carbamazepine : Interaction with Foods, Herbs, Alcohol and Caffeine

Last Updated on Jul 17, 2023

Are you taking Carbamazepine? Are you aware of the dangers of combining Carbamazepine with certain foods, herbs or alcohol? Drug-food-interactions are seldom discussed but can lead to undesirable side effects and potentially diminish the efficacy of the medication.

Carbamazepine Interactions with Food and Herbs

Grapefruit juice, Kinnow juice, Pomegranate juice, Star fruit juice: Carbamazepine interacts with fruit juices like grapefruit juice, kinnow juice, pomegranate juice, and star fruit juice. As a result of these interactions, the serum drug level may increase. Strictly avoid such fruit juices while taking carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine Interactions with Alcohol

Carbamazepine alone can cause drowsiness. Intake of alcohol with carbamazepine further adds to the drowsiness caused by the drug.

Carbamazepine Interactions with Caffeine

Caffeine reduces the antiepileptic effect of the carbamazepine.

When and How to Take Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is usually available as a tablet, a chewable tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, an extended-release capsule, and as a suspension (liquid). The tablet, chewable tablet and suspension are taken 3-4 times in a day. The extended release tablet is taken twice a day with meals and the extended release capsule is taken twice a day either with food or on an empty stomach. Do not crush, chew or split the tablet or capsule. Swallow it as a whole.

Drug Name : Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug, prescribed for epilepsy and bipolar disorder, as well as trigeminal neuralgia.

We recommend consulting your doctor to verify the information presented on this page or if you need any further clarifications.

Learn More about Drug-Food Interactions to Safeguard Your Health

1	Be Aware of Common Drug-Food Interactions

2	Grapefruit Can Work Against Your Drug

3	Interaction of Antibiotics with Dairy Products

4	Drug Interaction with Alcohol

5	Test Your Knowledge on Drug Interaction

6	Ten Common Drug-Drug interactions