*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Taking Carbamazepine With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with carbamazepine and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that may affect the way carbamazepine works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines:

medicines to help prevent blood clots such as warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban
antibiotics or antifungals such as clarithromycin, erythromycin or fluconazole
medicines used for depression or anxiety such as amitriptyline, citalopram or mirtazapine
ciclosporin, tacrolimus or sirolimus - immunosuppressants used after transplant operations, but also sometimes to treat arthritis or psoriasis
medicines used to treat HIV or AIDS such as dasubavir or ritonavir
medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), used to treat depression - these can affect carbamazepine for a few weeks even after you've stopped taking them

Taking carbamazepine with painkillers

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe to take with carbamazepine for a short time. Talk to your doctor if you need to take either for more than a few days.

Carbamazepine can make strong painkillers such as tramadol, oxycodone and buprenorphine less effective. Your doctor may recommend increasing your dose if you need to take these medicines.

Mixing carbamazepine with herbal remedies and supplements

Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you are being treated with carbamazepine. This is because St John's wort may make carbamazepine less effective.

There's not enough information to say that other herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with carbamazepine. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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