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Major risk

Ibogaine and Glyburide

Also known as: Glibenclamide, Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase

Sulfonylureas force insulin secretion regardless of blood glucose, so they cause hypoglycaemia when a patient is not eating. Ibogaine treatment involves an extended fast and frequently vomiting, which is exactly the setting in which sulfonylurea hypoglycaemia becomes severe. Glyburide carries the highest hypoglycaemia risk of the class and has a long duration of action. Unlike metformin, holding is not optional.

Severity

Major risk

Mechanism

Other clinical interaction

Protocol Status

Hold on the fasting and treatment day — the prescription stays with your physician

Restart Delay

Physician discretion

What "Major risk" Means

Serious clinical risk requiring physician-led tapering, washout, and monitoring. Treatment may proceed once the medication is appropriately cleared or transitioned.

Clinical Action

What our medical team does for patients on Glyburide.

HOLD on the fasting and treatment day — this is not the 'monitor and maybe hold' handling that metformin gets. Check glucose at least q4h through the fast and the acute phase, and have oral or IV dextrose immediately available. Resume only when the patient is eating reliably.

Where the Washout Happens

Hold on the fasting and treatment day — the prescription stays with your physician

The medication is continued right up to arrival — its condition is managed by your prescribing physician and is not stopped on our initiative — but it is HELD on the fasting and treatment day, because it lowers blood sugar while the patient is fasting and often vomiting, which is when hypoglycaemia becomes dangerous. Blood glucose is checked at least every four hours through the fast and the acute phase, dextrose is kept immediately available, and the dose resumes once the patient is eating reliably. Any change to the prescription belongs to the prescribing physician.

Post-Treatment Restart

Restart at physician discretion once acute window closes.

The Pharmacology

How Glyburide interacts with ibogaine: other clinical interaction.

This class has clinical considerations that do not fit a single mechanism category. Review the specific risk and clinical action for handling, and discuss with the prescribing physician.

Same Mechanism

Other medications that interact via other clinical interaction.

Minor — monitor

Lisinopril

Zestril, Prinivil

Minor — monitor

Enalapril

Vasotec

Minor — monitor

Ramipril

Altace

Minor — monitor

Benazepril

Lotensin

Minor — monitor

Perindopril

Aceon, Coversyl

Minor — monitor

Quinapril

Accupril

Same Severity Tier

Other major risk medications (different mechanism).

Opioid receptor potentiation

Methadone

Methadose, Dolophine

Opioid receptor potentiation

Buprenorphine

Suboxone, Subutex

Opioid receptor potentiation

Fentanyl

Duragesic, Sublimaze

Opioid receptor potentiation

Oxycodone

Oxycontin, Percocet

Opioid receptor potentiation

Hydrocodone

Vicodin, Norco

Opioid receptor potentiation

Morphine

Ms Contin, Kadian

Common Questions

Glyburide and ibogaine treatment.

Can I take ibogaine if I am on Glyburide?

Major risk. Sulfonylureas force insulin secretion regardless of blood glucose, so they cause hypoglycaemia when a patient is not eating. Ibogaine treatment involves an extended fast and frequently vomiting, which is exactly the setting in which sulfonylurea hypoglycaemia becomes severe. Glyburide carries the highest hypoglycaemia risk of the class and has a long duration of action. Unlike metformin, holding is not optional. HOLD on the fasting and treatment day — this is not the 'monitor and maybe hold' handling that metformin gets. Check glucose at least q4h through the fast and the acute phase, and have oral or IV dextrose immediately available. Resume only when the patient is eating reliably.

How long do I need to be off Glyburide before ibogaine treatment?

Hold on the fasting and treatment day — the prescription stays with your physician. The medication is continued right up to arrival — its condition is managed by your prescribing physician and is not stopped on our initiative — but it is HELD on the fasting and treatment day, because it lowers blood sugar while the patient is fasting and often vomiting, which is when hypoglycaemia becomes dangerous. Blood glucose is checked at least every four hours through the fast and the acute phase, dextrose is kept immediately available, and the dose resumes once the patient is eating reliably. Any change to the prescription belongs to the prescribing physician.

What is the mechanism of the interaction?

Other clinical interaction. This class has clinical considerations that do not fit a single mechanism category. Review the specific risk and clinical action for handling, and discuss with the prescribing physician.

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 Glyburide — 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.

Browse all 174 medications in the A–Z directory.

DA
Medically reviewed by Dr. Arellano, M.D.
Clinical Director, MindScape Retreat · Board-certified physician specializing in ibogaine-assisted detoxification with over 1,000 patients treated.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · See full medical team
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