What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Carbamazepine and selegiline
Selegiline's FDA label (Zelapar) of June 1, 2021 names carbamazepine in its drug interactions section; carbamazepine's label does not name selegiline itself but warns about its class (MAO inhibitors). The selegiline label: “Drugs on EMSAM Carbamazepine is contraindicated with MAOIs, including selegiline.”
Check it at the source: the carbamazepine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation); the selegiline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2024, Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc.).
What does the carbamazepine label say about selegiline?
Carbamazepine's label does not name selegiline itself; it warns about its class (MAO inhibitors):
Carbamazepine label, contraindicationsBefore administration of Tegretol, MAO inhibitors should be discontinued for a minimum of 14 days, or longer if the clinical situation permits.
Carbamazepine label, contraindicationsLikewise, on theoretical grounds its use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors is not recommended.
Source: FDA drug label (Tegretol), Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, effective August 20, 2026 (SPL set 8d409411-aa9f-4f3a-a52c-fbcb0c3ec053), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the selegiline label say about carbamazepine?
Zelapar label (Bausch Health US, LLC, June 1, 2021), drug interactionsDrugs that induce CYP3A4 (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, nafcillin, phenobarbital, and rifampin) should be used with caution.
Emsam label (Viatris Specialty LLC, May 15, 2020), contraindicationsCarbamazepine is contraindicated with EMSAM because of a possible increased risk of hypertensive crisis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Emsam label (Viatris Specialty LLC, May 15, 2020), drug interactionsDrugs on EMSAM Carbamazepine is contraindicated with MAOIs, including selegiline [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Emsam label (Viatris Specialty LLC, May 15, 2020), warnings and precautionsBlood Pressure Elevation Related to Concomitant Medication Carbamazepine is contraindicated with EMSAM because carbamazepine has been shown to significantly elevate selegiline levels, which may increase the risk of a hypertensive crisis [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7.4) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Zelapar, NDA021479), Bausch Health US, LLC, effective June 1, 2021 (SPL set 380d7717-2a79-42f3-a712-efe5e7696ba0), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Emsam, NDA021336), Viatris Specialty LLC, effective May 15, 2020 (SPL set b891bd9f-fdb8-4862-89c5-ecdd700398a3), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Selegiline Hydrochloride), Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc., effective August 7, 2024 (SPL set 23c4481f-d150-40c6-addb-b3e454ca914f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Carbamazepine | Selegiline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bipolar disorder, Seizures and epilepsy | Parkinson's disease, Depression |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.119 per tablet 200 mg tablet | $0.756 per capsule 5 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once