https://interactions.guidetherapeutiquevih.com/en/interaction-details?id=1342

Ritonavir

Carbamazepine

Dose adjustment and closer monitoring are required.

No pharmaceutical opinion available for this interaction.

Mechanism

Carbamazepine can induce the metabolism (CYP 3A4) and decrease the plasma concentration of Ritonavir.

Ritonavir may possibly inhibit the metabolism (CYP 3A4) and consequently increase the plasma concentration of Carbamazepine.

Ritonavir

Pharmacodynamic effects

Possible decrease of clinical efficacy.

Therefore, resulting in loss of therapeutic effect of associated IP.

Recommendations

Use this combination with caution.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of therapeutic failure.

Adjust dosage if necessary.

Alternative solution(s)

–

Carbamazepine

Pharmacodynamic effects

Possible increase of adverse effects.

Recommendations

No a priori dosage adjustment is recommended.

Monitor for adverse effects.

Monitor drug levels and adjust the dose if necessary.

A decrease in dosage of 25 to 50% may be necessary.

See comments for further details.

Alternative solution(s)

As clinically indicated : brivaracetam, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, pregabalin, rufinamide, topiramate, vigabatrin, zonisamide.

Monitor

Carbamazepine adverse effects : disorientation, ataxia, lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headache, diplopia, dizziness, leukopenia and hyponatremia.

Tests

Carbamazepine

CD4+

Viral load HIV

Associated PI plasma level

Pharmacokinetic parameters
Parameters
Reference number
# patients
Dose
Frequency
Concentration
Ritonavir
1304
1
200 mg
x 1
 
Carbamazepine
1304
1
350 mg
BID
+ 87%
Comment

Ref #1304 : Reported case of a 20-year-old patient who developed vomiting, dizziness, elevated liver enzymes, and increased carbamazepine concentration by 87% following the addition of one dose of ritonavir 200 mg. Symptoms started within 12 hours after the first dose of ritonavir. In order to obtain a concentration within the therapeutic index, the dose of carbamazepine was reduced from 750 to 280 mg QD. Several other cases of acute toxicity to carbamazepine 2 to 4 days after the addition of ritonavir have been reported.

Ref #2090: Another case reported of a 50 year man who developed excessive drowsiness following the introduction of lopinavir/ritonavir and it was found that his serum carbamazepine concentration had increased by 46%. His antiretroviral therapy was then changed to nelfinavir 1250 mg BID but 3 days later the same symptoms appeared with 53% increase in carbamazepine. The symptoms of carbamazepine toxicity disappeared after a carbamazepine dose reduction of 33%. See lopinavir/ritonavir + carbamazepine.

Comment
Reference
  • 122
    Ritonavir (Norvir), Corporation AbbVie, Quebec, Canada, 5 juillet 2021.
  • 717
    Mateu-de Antonio J, Grau S, Gimeno-Bayon JL, Carmona A. Ritonavir-induced carbamazepine toxicity. Ann Pharmcother 2001;35:125-126.
  • 1304
    Kato Y, Fujii T, Mizoguchi N, et al. Potential interaction between ritonavir and carbamazepine. Pharmacother 2000;20(7):851-854.
  • 1312
    Garcia AB, Ibarra AL, Etessam JP, et al. Protease inhibitor-induced carbamazepine toxicity. Clin Neuropharmacol 2000;23(4):216-218.
  • 1599
    Liedtke MD, Lockhart SM, and Rathbun RC. Anticonvulsivant and antiretroviral interactions. Ann Pharmacother 2004;38:482-489.
  • 2090
    Bates D and Herman RJ. Carbamazepine Toxicity Induced by Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Nelfinavir. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1190-1195.
  • 2219
    Sandson N. An overview of Psychotropic Drug-Drug Interactions. Psychosomatics 2005;46(5) : 464-489.
  • 2988
    Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Novartis Pharma, Québec, Canada, 4 mai 2018.