Ayahuasca Medical Safety
Ayahuasca Medical Safety
Many Pharmaceutical drugs, natural supplements and herbs are not compatible with Ayahuasca. Some medical and psychological conditions are also not appropriate for treatment with this medicine. Pisatahua recommends that all participants be free of pharmaceutical and recreational drugs for a minimum of 45 days prior to a retreat.
It’s absolutely essential that your body is completely free of all prescription and recreational drugs before participating in a ceremony.
Please consult your doctor prior to stopping your prescription medication regimen. Advise us of any medications you’re taking, or have taken in the past. Full disclosure of any psychiatric issues or past addictions is required. We’ll work with you to determine the safest way to begin your journey.
Below is a list of SOME medical conditions that are NOT compatible with drinking Ayahuasca.
Medical Conditions
- Psychological conditions such as Schizophrenia, bipolar and psychosis
- Heart conditions
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Liver and Kidney condition
Below is a PARTIAL list of prescription medications which are NOT compatible with Ayahuasca:
Medications
- SSRI’s – serotonin reuptake inhibitors – (i.e. antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc).
- Any medication that contains Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)
- Amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine, Adderall)
- CNS (central nervous system) depressants
- Appetite suppressants (diet pills)
- Medication for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems
- Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)
- Cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines for sinua problems, hay fever, or allergies
- Antipsychotics
Below is a PARTIAL list of recreational drugs that are very dangerous to combine with Ayahuasca:
Recreational Drugs
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine)
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- MDA
- MDEA
- PMA
- Dextromethorphan (DXM)
- Opiates
- Mescaline (any phenethylamine)
- Barbiturates
- Alcohol
- Kratom
- Kava
Below is an extensive list of pharmaceutical drugs that should not be combined with MAOIs. Some present mild risks; others more serious:
- Actified
- Adderall
- Alaproclate
- Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
- Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)
- Amineptine
- Amitriptaline
- Amoxapine (Asendin)
- Atomoxedine
- Befloxetone
- Benadryl
- Benylin
- Benzedrine
- Benzphetamine (Didrex)
- Bicifadine
- Brasofensine
- Brofaromine
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Buspirone (BuSpar)
- Butriptyline
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlor Trimeton
- Cimoxetone
- Citalopram
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Cyclizine (Marezine)
- Dapoxotine
- Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin)
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- Dextromethorphan (DXM)
- Dibenzepin
- Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin
- Diethylpropion
- Disopyramide (Norpace)
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Dopamine (Intropin)
- Dosulepin
- Doxepin (Sinequan)
- Duloxetine
- Emsam
- Ephedrine
- Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
- Escitalopram
- Femoxitine
- Fenfluramine (Pondimin)
- Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluvoxamine
- Furazolidone (Furoxone)
- Guanethedine
- Guanadrel (Hylorel)
- Guanethidine (Ismelin)
- Hydralazine (Apresoline)
- 5 Hydroxytryptophan
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Iprindole
- Iproniazid (Marsilid, Iprozid, Ipronid, Rivivol, Propilniazida)
- Iproclozide
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid)
- Isoniazid rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane)
- Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
- L dopa (Sinemet)
- Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa
- Linezolid (Zyvox, Zyvoxid)
- Lithium (Eskalith)
- Lofepramine
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
- Medifoxamine
- Melitracen
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)
- Metaraminol (Aramine)
- Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
- Methyldopa (Aidomet)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Mianserin
- Milnacipran
- Minaprine
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Moclobemide
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- Nefazodone
- Nialamide
- Nisoxetine
- Nomifensine
- Norepinephrine (Levophed)
- Nortriptyline (Aventyl)
- Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
- Orphenadrine (Norflex)
- Pargyline (Eutonyl)
- Parnate
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Pemoline (Cylert)
- Percocet
- Pethedine (Demerol)
- Phendimetrazine (Plegiline)
- Phenergen
- Phenmetrazine
- Phentermine
- Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo Synephrine)
- Phenylpropanolamine (in many cold medicines)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Procarbazine (Matulane)
- Procainamide (Pronestyl)
- Protriptyline (Vivactil)
- Pseudoephedrine
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
- Quinidine (Quinidex)
- Rasagiline (Azilect)
- Reboxetine
- Reserpine (Serpasil)
- Risperidone
- Salbutemol
- Salmeterol
- Selegiline (Eldepryl)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Sibutramine
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- Terfenadine (Seldane D)
- Tegretol
- Temaril
- Tesofensine
- Theophylline (Theo Dur)
- Tianeptine
- Toloxatone
- Tramidol
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- Trazodone
- Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil)
- Trimipramine (Surmontil)
- Triptans
- Vanoxerine
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Viloxezine
- Yohimbine
- Zimelidine
- Ziprasidone (Geodon)
These herbs should also be avoided when taking MAO inhibitors:
- St. Johns Wort
- Kava
- Kratom
- Ephedra
- Ginseng
- Yohimbe
- Sinicuichi
- Rhodiola Rosea
- Kanna
- Boswellia
- Nutmeg
- Scotch Broom
- Licorice Root
If you have any questions about your specific medical condition please speak to your doctor and contact us directly. We’ll work with you to determine the safest way to begin your journey.
