Drug & supplement interaction

Cannabidiol (cbd) + Eslicarbazepine Acetate

Eslicarbazepine Acetate brand name: Aptiom.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Eslicarbazepine Acetate falls into 3 drug categories that Cannabidiol (cbd) can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, CYP2C19 inhibitors might increase cannabidiol levels.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Cannabidiol (cbd) and Eslicarbazepine Acetate

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with whole categories of medication. Eslicarbazepine Acetate falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Cannabidiol (cbd) in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) INHIBITORS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Eslicarbazepine Acetate

Eslicarbazepine Acetate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) INHIBITORS — the group Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with.

Theoretically, CYP2C19 inhibitors might increase cannabidiol levels.
Cannabidiol is a substrate of CYP2C19 enzymes. Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 enzymes might increase levels of cannabidiol, increasing its effects and adverse effects.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the key thing to keep straight: in this pairing, it's the CBD whose levels may rise, not your Aptiom. Eslicarbazepine can gently block an enzyme called CYP2C19, and CBD happens to be broken down partly by that same enzyme. So if Aptiom slows CBD's breakdown, more CBD can hang around, which could mean stronger CBD effects and side effects like drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea, or stomach upset.

I'll be honest with you, this one is theoretical, based on how these compounds behave on paper rather than real-world reports, so it may not amount to much for most people. Still, both can cause sleepiness and dizziness, which can add up. Please don't start, stop, or change anything on your own. Check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Epidiolex (cannabidiol) prescribing information. Greenwich Biosciences, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, 2019. Available at: https://www.epidiolex.com/sites/default/files/EPIDIOLEX_Full_Prescribing_Information.pdf (accessed 5/9/2019)
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INDUCERS

2 of 3

Eslicarbazepine Acetate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INDUCERS.

Theoretically, CYP3A4 inducers might decrease cannabidiol levels.
Cannabidiol is a substrate of CYP3A4 enzymes. Theoretically, drugs that induce CYP3A4 enzymes might reduce the levels and effects of cannabidiol.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for your seizure medicine, Aptiom (eslicarbazepine). It can act as a mild inducer, meaning it can rev up a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Since your body uses that same enzyme to break down CBD, taking the two together may speed up how fast you clear the CBD. In plain terms, your CBD might not work as well as you'd expect, so whatever you're using it for (sleep, anxiety, aches) could feel less effective.

This is theoretical right now, based on how the drugs work rather than solid human studies, so don't panic. Notice that the concern points at the CBD, not your seizure control. Still, before adding CBD, check with your pharmacist or doctor, since CBD itself can interact with several seizure meds.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Epidiolex (cannabidiol) prescribing information. Greenwich Biosciences, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, 2019. Available at: https://www.epidiolex.com/sites/default/files/EPIDIOLEX_Full_Prescribing_Information.pdf (accessed 5/9/2019)
Moderate

ESLICARBAZEPINE (Aptiom)

3 of 3
Cannabidiol might increase eslicarbazepine levels.
In clinical research, concomitant administration of cannabidiol and eslicarbazepine is associated with a modest increase in plasma levels of eslicarbazepine. The mechanism for this interaction is unknown; eslicarbazepine is metabolized via glucuronidation. Eslicarbazepine levels stayed within the normal range and did not require dose adjustment. However, caution should be exercised when cannabidiol and eslicarbazepine are taken together.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Likely Evidence B

Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist if you're taking Aptiom (eslicarbazepine) for your focal seizures and thinking about CBD. In clinical research, people who took both ended up with a modest bump in the amount of eslicarbazepine floating around in their blood. The exact reason isn't fully understood, but the takeaway is your seizure medicine may build up a little more than usual.

The reassuring part: in those studies, levels stayed within the normal range and folks did not need a dose change. Still, if your blood level creeps up, you could feel more of this drug's typical side effects, like dizziness, drowsiness, trouble with balance, headache, or nausea. So it's not a reason to panic, but it is worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, especially since CBD product strength varies so much.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gaston TE, Bebin EM, Cutter GR, Liu Y, Szaflarski JP; UAB CBD Program. Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia. 2017 Sep;58(9):1586-92. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Cannabidiol (cbd) Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cannabidiol (cbd) has 1,050 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Eslicarbazepine Acetate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,050 No known interaction 1,780 (incl. Eslicarbazepine Acetate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Cannabidiol (cbd)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd). Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Eslicarbazepine Acetate

This page covers Cannabidiol (cbd) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Eslicarbazepine Acetate page lists 37 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Alkanna (moderate), Alpine Ragwort (moderate), Boneset (moderate) and Borage (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 27 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Eslicarbazepine Acetate page

“Missing even part of a dose of Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate) can mean a breakthrough seizure, which is why I read this list with real care. Of the 37 supplement ingredients on file, only activated charcoal rates major; it binds the medicine in your gut and can sharply cut what reaches your blood.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Eslicarbazepine Acetate interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Cannabidiol (cbd) and Eslicarbazepine Acetate Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Cannabidiol (cbd)
Top 25%

#355 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Steady interest

#2,205 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Cannabidiol (cbd)

What is Cannabidiol (cbd)?

  • Anxiety and stress
  • Sleep problems
  • Chronic pain
  • Certain seizure disorders
  • Inflammation

CBD is a compound from the cannabis (hemp) plant that does not cause a 'high.' It has strong evidence only for certain rare seizure disorders (as a prescription drug), while most other popular uses are still backed by limited or early research. Product quality varies a lot, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take other medicines.

Read the full Cannabidiol (cbd) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Eslicarbazepine

What Is Eslicarbazepine Used For?

Brand name: Aptiom

Eslicarbazepine acetate tablets — sold under the brand names Aptiom and Eslicarbazepine Acetate — are used to treat partial-onset seizures (seizures that start in one part of the brain) in patients 4 years of age and older. It can be used alone (monotherapy) or alongside other seizure medications (adjunctive therapy).

Both Aptiom and the generic eslicarbazepine acetate tablets are approved for this same use, in the same age range. The dose is adjusted based on age, body weight, and kidney function.

See full Eslicarbazepine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cannabidiol (cbd)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Cannabidiol (cbd) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
1,050Moderate
0Minor
1,779No known interaction
1,050 Moderate 1,779 No interaction
Moderate

1,050 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,050 moderate interactions — see all 1,050 on the Cannabidiol (cbd) page.

No interaction 1,779 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Cannabidiol (cbd) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,779 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cannabidiol (cbd) list.

See the full Cannabidiol (cbd) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Eslicarbazepine Acetate, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Cannabidiol (cbd) monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Eslicarbazepine Acetate supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Eslicarbazepine Acetate, ranked by severity Eslicarbazepine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Cannabidiol (cbd) and Eslicarbazepine Acetate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cannabidiol (cbd) with Eslicarbazepine Acetate?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Cannabidiol (cbd) and Eslicarbazepine Acetate?
Eslicarbazepine Acetate belongs to more than one drug category, and Cannabidiol (cbd) interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Cannabidiol (cbd) and Eslicarbazepine Acetate interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Eslicarbazepine Acetate and Cannabidiol (cbd)?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.