Skip to main content
Major risk

Ibogaine and Morphine

Also known as: Ms Contin, Kadian

Ibogaine potentiates opioid effects. Must be in withdrawal.

Severity

Major risk

Mechanism

Opioid receptor potentiation

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 Morphine.

Last dose 12-24h before treatment. COWS score ≥8.

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

Last dose at least 24 hours before treatment.

Post-Treatment Restart

Restart at physician discretion once acute window closes.

The Pharmacology

How Morphine interacts with ibogaine: opioid receptor potentiation.

Ibogaine resets and re-sensitises the mu-opioid receptor. Any opioid still circulating during dosing is potentiated, raising the risk of respiratory depression. Patients must be in measurable, monitored withdrawal (typically COWS ≥ 8) before ibogaine is administered, and long-acting opioids like methadone or buprenorphine must be tapered or transitioned in advance.

Same Mechanism

Other medications that interact via opioid receptor potentiation.

Major risk

Methadone

Methadose, Dolophine

Major risk

Buprenorphine

Suboxone, Subutex

Major risk

Fentanyl

Duragesic, Sublimaze

Major risk

Oxycodone

Oxycontin, Percocet

Major risk

Hydrocodone

Vicodin, Norco

Major risk

Heroin

Diamorphine, Diacetylmorphine

Same Severity Tier

Other major risk medications (different mechanism).

Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)

Tramadol

Ultram, Conzip

Serotonergic activity (serotonin syndrome)

Tapentadol

Nucynta

QT-interval prolongation

Quetiapine

Seroquel

QT-interval prolongation

Risperidone

Risperdal

QT-interval prolongation

Olanzapine

Zyprexa

QT-interval prolongation

Paliperidone

Invega

Common Questions

Morphine and ibogaine treatment.

Can I take ibogaine if I am on Morphine?

Major risk. Ibogaine potentiates opioid effects. Must be in withdrawal. Last dose 12-24h before treatment. COWS score ≥8.

How long do I need to be off Morphine 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. Last dose at least 24 hours before treatment.

What is the mechanism of the interaction?

Opioid receptor potentiation. Ibogaine resets and re-sensitises the mu-opioid receptor. Any opioid still circulating during dosing is potentiated, raising the risk of respiratory depression. Patients must be in measurable, monitored withdrawal (typically COWS ≥ 8) before ibogaine is administered, and long-acting opioids like methadone or buprenorphine must be tapered or transitioned in advance.

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 Morphine — 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 103 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 900 patients treated.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · See full medical team
Need a Personal Review

On Morphine? Talk to our medical team.

Every patient on a flagged medication gets an individual washout plan from our admissions physician — typically within 24 hours and free of charge.

Book Free Consultation

100% Confidential · No Obligation