Medical Guidelines

Certain drugs and medications have been found to be incompatible with
Ayahuasca, Huachuma, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medicines. It is essential to stop taking the substances mentioned in this document and allow your system sufficient time to clear them from the body before beginning any ceremony or retreat. Consult your doctor if you have any doubts. You should not stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your doctor; medication must always be gradually reduced. In case of use of medication, we offer a special recovery program that can help you recover and prepare to successfully participate in our retreats, ceremonies and healings without medication. Please contact us at theakituwahealers@outlook.com

 

Contraindications: Herbal medicines and supplements
 

Inform the akituwa healers of all herbal and natural medicines you use, as well as supplements. The following herbal remedies should not be combined with Ayahuasca, Huachuma, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medicines and should be discontinued at least two weeks before participating in healings, ceremonies and retreats:

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• St. John's Wort

• Kava

• Kratom

• Ephedra

• Ginseng

• Yohimbe

• Sinicuichi

• Rhodiola Rosea

• Kanna

• Boswellia

• Nootmuskaat

• Scotch Broom

• Licorice Root

• Cannabis

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Contraindictions: Drugs and Medications

All medications containing MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) are known to cause dangerous side effects when taken in combination with Ayahuasca, Huachuma, Santo Niños, or other entheogenic plant medications and should be suspended. All medications that affect the serotonin system, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), can cause serotonin syndrome, with potentially fatal consequences when combined with Ayahuasca, Huachuma, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medications. We recommend discontinuing SSRI medications six weeks prior to a ceremony or retreat so that the system can clear in time. Some of these medications can cause side effects when you stop taking them, so you should allow enough time for them to go away and always consult your doctor to help you reduce your medication regimen.

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Drugs with Contraindications:

 

• Other MAOIs

• SSHRs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

• Asthma inhalers

• Antihypertensives (medications against high blood pressure)

• Appetite suppressants (diet pills)

• Medicines for asthma, bronchitis or other breathing problems

• Antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever or allergies (all cold, cough or flu preparations and all medicines with DM, DX or -tuss in the name).

• CNS (central nervous system) depressants

• Antipsychotics

• Barbiturates

• Sedatives

• Sympathomimetic amines (including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine)

• Alcohol

• Amphetamines

• Opiates

• Mescaline (any phenethylamine)

• Barbiturates

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Specific contraindications:

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• Actifed

• Adderall

• Alaproclate

• Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)

• Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)

• Amineptine

• Amitriptaline

• Amoxapine (Asendin)

• Asarone/Calamus

• Atomoxedine

• Befloxetone

• Benadryl

• Benylin

• Benzedrine

• Benzphetamine (Didrex)

• Bicifadine

• Brasofensine

• Brofaromine

• Bromarest-DM or -DX

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

• Buspirone (BuSpar)

• Butriptyline

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol)

• Chlorpheniramine

• Chlor Trimeton

• Cimoxetone

• Citalopram

• Clomipramine (Anafranil)

• Cocaine

• Codeine

• Compoz

• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

• Cyclizine (Marezine)

• Dapoxotine

• Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin)

• Desvenlafaxine

• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

• Dextromethorphan (DXM)

• Dibenzepin

• Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin

• Diethylpropion

• Dimetane-DX

• Disopyramide (Norpace)

• Disulfiram (Antabuse)

• Dopamine (Intropin)

• Dosulepin

• Doxepin (Sinequan)

• Dristan Cold & Flu

• 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 (T ofranil)

• 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)

• Macromerine

• Maprotiline (Ludiomil)

• MDA

• MDEA

• MDMA (Ecstasy)

• 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)

• Phenelanine

• Phenergen

• Phenmetrazine

• Phentermine

• Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo

• Synephrine)

• Phenylpropanolamine (in many cold medicines)

• Phenelzine (Nardil)

• PMA

• Procarbazine (Matulane)

• Procainamide (Pronestyl)

• Protriptyline (Vivactil)

• Pseudoephedrine

• Oxymetazoline (Afrin)

• Quinidine (Quinidex)

• Rasagiline (Azilect)

• Reboxetine

• Reserpine (Serpasil)

• Risperidone

• Robitussin

• 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

• Tryptophan

• Tyrosine

• Vanoxerine

• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

• Viloxezine

• Vicks Formula 44-D

• Yohimbine

• Zimelidine

• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

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• Using stimulants with MAOIs is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

• The use of cocaine, amphetamines or MDMA (Ecstasy) with MAO inhibitors can cause a serious increase in blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke and cerebral hemorrhage and makes an overdose of a relatively small amount of cocaine possible. (One death has been recorded from a combination of Peganum harmala and cocaine. Deaths have been recorded in the medical literature from combining amphetamines with pharmaceutical MAOIs).

• The use of other serotonin agonists or precursors with an MAO inhibitor may lead to serotonin syndrome. The main symptom of serotonin syndrome may be severe and prolonged headache (same symptom as MAOI tryptamine interaction) and/or fever (up to 40°C / 104°F or more). Other symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include: fast heartbeat, shivering, sweating, dilated pupils, intermittent tremor or convulsions, overactive or overreacting reflexes, hyperactive bowel sounds, high blood pressure. Severe serotonin syndrome can lead to shock, agitated delirium, muscle stiffness, and high muscle tension. kidney failure, seizures, and can be life-threatening.

• Taking tricyclic antidepressants within two weeks of taking MAOIs can cause serious side effects, including sudden fever, extremely high blood pressure, convulsions and death.

• Using Fluoxetine (Prozac) within five weeks of taking MAOIs can cause high fever, stiffness, high blood pressure, mental changes, confusion and hypomania.

• The use of Benzedrine, Benzphetamine, Desipramine, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Dopamine, Ephedrine (contained in Marax, Quadrinal, and other asthma drugs), Epinephrine, Guanadrel, Guanethidine, Hydralazine, Isoproterenol, L-dopa, Metaraminol, Methyldopa, Mirtazamine, Norepinephrine Oxymetazoline, Phendimetrazine, Phentermine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine, Ritalin, or Venlafaxine with MAOIs may cause a hypertensive crisis (severe blood pressure spike).

• Taking Adderall with MAOIs can lead to high body temperature, seizures, and in some cases coma.

• Using Bupropion (Wellbutrin) within two weeks of using MAOIs can cause serious side effects, such as seizures.

• Taking Buspirone (Buspar) with MAOIs may cause high blood pressure and increased sedative effects.

• The use of carbamazepine (Tegretol) in combination with MAOIs may cause fever and increase seizures, especially in epileptics.

• Taking clomipramine with MAOIs can cause high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis) and seizures.

• Taking CNS depressants with MAOIs may increase the depressive effects.

• The use of desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane) with MAOIs can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

• Taking Dextromethorphan with MAOIs may cause agitation, high blood pressure and fever, or brief episodes of psychosis.

• Taking Fenfluramine with MAOIs may lead to fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).

• Using Lithium with MAOIs can cause fever and serotonin syndrome.

• The use of Meperidine (Demerol) with pharmaceutical MAOIs has resulted in deaths after a single dose.

• Use of metaproterenol or other beta-adrenergic bronchodilators with MAOIs may lead to an increase in blood pressure and rapid heart rate.

• Using Mirtazapine (Remeron) with MAOIs can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

• The use of Nefazodone (Serzone) can lead to high fever.

• Using Temaril with MAOIs may increase the risk of side effects.

• Taking Terfenadine with MAOIs may cause an increase in MAOI blood levels.

• Taking Theophylline with MAOIs can cause rapid heart rate and anxiety.

• Using Trazodone (Desyrel) with MAOIs can lead to high fever.

• Using tryptophan or L-tryptophan with MAOIs may cause disorientation, confusion, amnesia, delirium, agitation, memory disturbances, hypomanic symptoms and chills.

• Use of Venlafaxine (Effexor) with MAOIs can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

• Taking Ziprasidone (Geodon) with MAOIs may cause serotonin syndrome.

• Using alcohol with MAOIs can cause side effects such as angina (chest pain) or headache. The headache may mask or be confused with a hypertensive crisis caused by interaction with MAOIs. MAOIs can also enhance the sedative effect of alcohol.

• The use of opiates with MAOIs carries a risk of respiratory depression.

• The use of diuretics with MAOIs may cause a greater drop in blood pressure than normal and an increase in MAOI blood levels.

• The use of anesthetics with MAOIs may enhance the anesthetic effect.

• Using sleeping pills, tranquilizers (major or minor) or barbiturates with MAOIs may enhance the sedative effect.

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In case of use of medication, we offer a special recovery program that can help you recover and prepare to successfully participate in our retreats, ceremonies and healings without medication. Please contact us at theakituwahealers@outlook.com

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Safety Regulations

All physical and mental health conditions, as well as any medications you are taking, must be disclosed to the akituwa healers in confidence before you complete the booking process. If you do not do this, you and your health are at risk. If you register on time, you can be helped through alternative programs that can help restore, detoxify and prepare the body for a ceremony or retreat.

 

Below follow some guidelines on The Akituwa Healers' policy on the use of entheogenic plant medicine:

All prescription medications, certain supplements, and illegal drugs should be discontinued at least 2-8 weeks before drinking ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños, or other entheogenic plant medications, depending on the specific type of drug or supplement (see details below).
Synthetic hormones for hypothyroidism are an exception. You may continue to take your hypothyroid medication during your ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medication treatment, but you must inform the akituwa healers. Many over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, nicotine, or caffeine, only need to be stopped 48 hours before using ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños, or other entheogenic plant medications, although we still recommend discontinuing them 2 weeks in advance.
Specific medications, such as MAOIs and SSRIs, pose a risk of health complications when combined with ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medications and therefore require a longer discontinuation period. Please refer to the comprehensive list above for detailed descriptions of specific medications and recommended discontinuation periods. Some medications have moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, so more time may be needed to come off your medications safely.

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Below you will find more specific guidelines on the drugs that should be avoided with entheogenic plants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIS): Stop using 4 to 6 weeks prior. 

Ayahuasca is a very powerful, natural MAOI, and should not be used in combination with other or unnatural MAOIs. Combining MAOIs can lead to complications in neurotransmitter regulation and digestion, such as hypertensive crisis, convulsive seizures, fever, delirium, coma, and circulatory collapse. Withdrawal symptoms are possible when discontinuing prescribed MAOIs, so it is important to consult a doctor about how to taper off the dosage.
 
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS): Do not use 6 or 8 weeks prior and at least 4 weeks after.

The combination of ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medicines and an SSRI is potentially life-threatening. The combination of these two substances can cause SSRIs to induce serotonin syndrome when used in combination with ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medications. Most SSRIs should be stopped 6 weeks before the ceremony, but Prozac should be stopped 8 weeks before drinking Ayahuasca due to its longer half-life. To avoid side effects, it is important that you give yourself time to get used to not taking medications before participating in an ayahuasca, san pedro, Santo Niños or other entheogenic plant medicine ceremony.

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Other anti-depressants: Stop using 6 weeks prior and for atleast 4 weeks after.

Antidepressants other than SSRIs can cause serious complications when combined with drinking Ayahuasca or San Pedro (Huachuma). These antidepressants include serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRI), serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARI), norepinephrine inhibitors (NRI), norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI), tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCA), noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSA), and serotonin modulators and stimulators (SMS). As with all medications, it is important to give antidepressants plenty of time to leave your system to avoid unwanted side effects.
 
Benzodiazepines, central nervous system medicine and sleeping pills: Do not use 3 to 4 weeks in advance.

Drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS), such as certain anti-anxiety medications and sleep aids, should not be used in combination with Ayahuasca or San Pedro (Huachuma) because they pose a serious health risk. Taking Ayahuasca or San Pedro (Huachuma) can increase the effects of these medications, leading to slower brain activity, heart rhythm, and labored breathing. CNS depressants include benzodiazepines, sedatives and barbiturates. Dependence on CNS depressants can easily develop, so withdrawal symptoms can occur when discontinuing the medication.

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Anti-hypertensives: Stop using 2 to 6 weeks in advance, depending on the medication and consultation with the doctor.

There are many types of antihypertensive medications that lower blood pressure in different ways; among the most important and widely used are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
Consult your doctor before discontinuing your medications.
 
All other medicines: Discontinue use for at least 1 week prior, and at least 1 week after.

 

• Medications such as Valium, Xanax and similar benzodiazepines.

• Antibiotics, antihistamines, systemic vasoconstrictors or decongestants, cold and flu medicines, asthma inhalers and medicines high in caffeine.

• Narcotics, tranquilizers and tranquilizers

• Antihypertensives for the treatment of high blood pressure

• Painkillers

• Medications to treat heart conditions

• Neurological or anti-seizure medications

• Hormonal therapy and sympathomimetic drugs, including amphetamines and tyrosine

If you have any questions about the above policy regarding the contraindications to the use of most medications in combination with Ayahuasca or San Pedro (Huachuma), or would like to discuss your specific health condition(s), please contact the akituwa healers.

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In case of use of medication, we offer a special recovery program that can help you recover and prepare to successfully participate in our retreats, ceremonies and healings without medication. Please contact us at theakituwahealers@outlook.com