Citalopram
Celexa
Ibogaine and Amitriptyline
Also known as: Elavil
QTc prolongation + serotonergic + anticholinergic. CYP2D6 substrate.
Severity
Contraindicated
Mechanism
QT-interval prolongation
Protocol Status
Pre-arrival washout (under your prescribing physician)
Restart Delay
14 days
What "Contraindicated" Means
Absolute prohibition without an enforced washout. Treatment cannot proceed safely until the medication has been cleared from the body for the protocol's required interval.
Clinical Action
What our medical team does for patients on Amitriptyline.
Taper and discontinue minimum 14 days before treatment.
Where the Washout Happens
Pre-arrival washout (under your prescribing physician)
Discontinuation is completed before arrival, under the patient's own prescribing physician, with the medication-specific washout interval observed before the flood dose.
Pre-Treatment Washout Window
14 days minimum before treatment.
Post-Treatment Restart
Wait at least 14 days post-treatment before restarting.
The Pharmacology
How Amitriptyline interacts with ibogaine: qt-interval prolongation.
Ibogaine and noribogaine block the cardiac hERG (IKr) potassium channel, which lengthens ventricular repolarisation and the QTc interval on a 12-lead EKG. Adding a second QT-prolonging drug compounds the effect and raises the risk of torsades de pointes — a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that can be fatal. Every patient receives a baseline EKG, electrolyte panel, and continuous cardiac monitoring; medications in this class must be washed out long enough to return QTc into a safe range.
Same Mechanism
Other medications that interact via qt-interval prolongation.
Same Severity Tier
Other contraindicated medications (different mechanism).
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Fluoxetine
Prozac, Sarafem
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Sertraline
Zoloft
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Paroxetine
Paxil, Pexeva
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Fluvoxamine
Luvox
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Vortioxetine
Trintellix, Brintellix
Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)
Vilazodone
Viibryd
Common Questions
Amitriptyline and ibogaine treatment.
Can I take ibogaine if I am on Amitriptyline?
Contraindicated. QTc prolongation + serotonergic + anticholinergic. CYP2D6 substrate. Taper and discontinue minimum 14 days before treatment.
How long do I need to be off Amitriptyline before ibogaine treatment?
Pre-arrival washout (under your prescribing physician). Discontinuation is completed before arrival, under the patient's own prescribing physician, with the medication-specific washout interval observed before the flood dose. 14 days minimum before treatment. Wait at least 14 days post-treatment before restarting.
What is the mechanism of the interaction?
QT-interval prolongation. Ibogaine and noribogaine block the cardiac hERG (IKr) potassium channel, which lengthens ventricular repolarisation and the QTc interval on a 12-lead EKG. Adding a second QT-prolonging drug compounds the effect and raises the risk of torsades de pointes — a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that can be fatal. Every patient receives a baseline EKG, electrolyte panel, and continuous cardiac monitoring; medications in this class must be washed out long enough to return QTc into a safe range.
Can I switch to a different medication so I can have ibogaine treatment?
In many cases yes. Our medical team works with your prescribing physician to taper or substitute medications safely before treatment. The right substitution depends on the underlying condition you are treating with Amitriptyline — contact us for an individual review.
Checking more than one medication? Use the interactive Drug Interaction Checker to screen your full medication list at once.
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DA
Medically reviewed by Dr. Arellano, M.D.
Clinical Director, MindScape Retreat · Board-certified physician specializing in ibogaine-assisted detoxification with over 900 patients treated.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · See full medical team