Drug Interactions between carbamazepine and ospemifene

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of carbamazepine. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of carbamazepine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) increased plasma drug concentrations by approximately 40%. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving carbamazepine should be advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving carbamazepine therapy should preferably avoid the regular consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels. Patients should be advised to report signs of carbamazepine toxicity (nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, or ataxia) to their physicians.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food significantly enhances the oral bioavailability of ospemifene. In a cross-study comparison, administration of a single 60 mg dose of ospemifene with a high-fat/high-calorie meal (860 kcal) in postmenopausal women increased ospemifene peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 2.3- and 1.7-fold, respectively, compared to administration under fasted condition. Elimination half-life and time to maximum concentration (Tmax) were not altered. In two separate food effect studies where different ospemifene tablet formulations were given to healthy male volunteers, ospemifene Cmax and AUC increased by 2.3- and 1.8-fold, respectively, with a low-fat/low-calorie meal (300 kcal) and 3.6- and 2.7-fold, respectively, with a high-fat/high-calorie meal (860 kcal) relative to fasting.

MANAGEMENT: Ospemifene should be taken once daily with food.