Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant: it calms overactive nerve signalling by blocking sodium channels in nerve cells. It is used for epilepsy, for the facial nerve pain of trigeminal neuralgia, and as a mood stabiliser in bipolar disorder. It is sold as Tegretol, among other names.
The strongest genetic evidence for carbamazepine concerns rare but serious skin reactions, not how well it works. People who carry the immune-system gene version HLA-B*15:02, most common in parts of East and South-East Asia, are at much higher risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, and HLA-A*31:01, found in many populations, is linked to these and milder drug rashes. CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on both, and the US drug label names HLA-B*15:02. Other studies looked at the transporter ABCB1, the sodium channel gene SCN1A and the enzyme EPHX1, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Carbamazepine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
DPWG guideline: HLA-A. *31:01 positive. 2024.
DPWG guideline: HLA-B. *15:02 positive · *15:11 positive · 1511 and 1502. 2024.
US FDA: HLA-A. *31:01 positive.
US FDA: HLA-B. *15:02 positive.
US FDA: HLA-A. *31:01 positive. Data that Indicate a Potential Impact on Safety or Response.
US FDA: HLA-B. *15:02 positive. Data that Support Therapeutic Management Recommendations.
Every published finding on gene variants and Carbamazepine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
HLA-B HLA-B*15:02, HLA-B*15:11: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Maculopapular Exanthema, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 49.
HLA-A HLA-A*31:01: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Drug Hypersensitivity, Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Maculopapular Exanthema, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 24.
HLA-B HLA-B*40:01: Level 2A · replicated. Toxicity: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 6.
SCN1A rs3812718: Level 2B · replicated. Dosage: Epilepsy. 6.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antiepileptics (class) (Anticonvulsants)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com