Carbamazepine is an aromatic anticonvulsant. Oxcarbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, fosphenytoin, and phenobarbital are also in this category. Carbamazepine is FDA-approved for the treatment of epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and bipolar disorder. According to the most recent Clinical Pharmacogenetic Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guideline, patients who are HLA-B*15:02 positive should not be prescribed carbamazepine or oxcarbamazepine if alternative agents are available; however, caution should be used in selecting an alternative medication as there is weaker evidence that also links other aromatic anticonvulsants with SJS/TEN in patients positive for HLA-B*15:02. Furthermore, phenytoin is the subject of a separate CPIC guideline with recommendations to avoid phenytoin in HLA-B*15:02 positive.

The presence of the HLA-B*15:02 allele confers increased risk for hypersensitivity to carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and phenytoin. Cautions: HLA-A*31:01 allele also confers increased risk for hypersensitivity to carbamazepine.