Danazol and Carbamazepine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Carbamazepine
Danazol
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased carBAMazepine exposure and an increased risk of carBAMazepine toxicity
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of carBAMazepine (a CYP3A4 substrate) with danazol (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) may result in increased carBAMazepine exposure. If coadministered, closely monitor carBAMazepine levels and adjust the carBAMazepine dosage as required12. If a patient has been titrated to a stable dosage of carBAMazepine, and is initiated on treatment with danazol, a dose reduction of carBAMazepine may be required 3. Concomitant use of danazol and carBAMazepine has led to significant increase in carBAMazepine levels which resulted in toxicity 456.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of carBAMazepine
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a case report of a patient on carBAMazepine 600 mg daily, the concurrent use of danazol 600 mg daily increased the carBAMazepine level 60%, the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) 148%, half-life 120%, and decreased the clearance approximately 60% within a month. Evaluation of the interaction by stable isotope technique revealed that danazol inhibits carBAMazepine metabolism, specifically the epoxide-trans-diol pathway 456.
Common questions
Can I take Danazol and Carbamazepine together?
Increased carBAMazepine exposure and an increased risk of carBAMazepine toxicity Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Danazol and Carbamazepine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Danazol or Carbamazepine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (6)
- Product Information: Tegretol(R)-XR oral extended-release tablets, carbamazepine oral extended-release tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: Tegretol(R) oral chewable tablets, oral tablets, oral suspension, carbamazepine oral chewable tablets, oral tablets, oral suspension. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: CARBATROL(R) oral extended-release capsules, carbamazepine oral extended-release capsules. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc (per FDA), Lexington, MA, 2023. DailyMed
- Kramer G, Theisohn M, Von Uruh GE, et al: Carbamazepine-danazol drug interaction: its mechanism examined by a stable isotope technique. Ther Drug Monit 1986; 8:387-392. DOI
- Zielinski JJ, Lichten EM, & Haidukewych D: Clinically significant danazol-carbamazepine interaction. Ther Drug Monit 1987; 9:24-27. PubMed
- Hayden M & Buchanan N: Danazol-carbamazepine interaction (letter). Med J Aust 1991; 155:851. DOI
Keep reading about Carbamazepine
Keep reading about Danazol
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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