Metoprolol
Lopressor, Toprol
Ibogaine and Lithium
Also known as: Lithobid, Eskalith
Cardiac conduction abnormalities. Can worsen ibogaine bradycardia. Also affects QTc.
Severity
Major risk
Mechanism
Cardiac conduction (bradycardia / AV node)
Protocol Status
Pre-arrival washout (under your prescribing 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 Lithium.
Discontinue with psychiatry supervision minimum 5 days before. Check lithium level and electrolytes.
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
5 days minimum before treatment.
Post-Treatment Restart
Restart at physician discretion once acute window closes.
The Pharmacology
How Lithium interacts with ibogaine: cardiac conduction (bradycardia / av node).
Ibogaine slows the sinus node and AV conduction. Beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin, and lithium can deepen bradycardia or generate higher-degree AV block. Heart-rate-slowing medications are typically held on dosing day with continuous telemetry monitoring.
Same Mechanism
Other medications that interact via cardiac conduction (bradycardia / av node).
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
Lithium and ibogaine treatment.
Can I take ibogaine if I am on Lithium?
Major risk. Cardiac conduction abnormalities. Can worsen ibogaine bradycardia. Also affects QTc. Discontinue with psychiatry supervision minimum 5 days before. Check lithium level and electrolytes.
How long do I need to be off Lithium 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. 5 days minimum before treatment.
What is the mechanism of the interaction?
Cardiac conduction (bradycardia / AV node). Ibogaine slows the sinus node and AV conduction. Beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin, and lithium can deepen bradycardia or generate higher-degree AV block. Heart-rate-slowing medications are typically held on dosing day with continuous telemetry monitoring.
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 Lithium — 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