Ibogaine & Alcohol Dependence

Some alcohol centers feel that Ibogaine is a highly useful treatment option. For example, some centers say, "Ibogaine developments include the possibility of taking the long-acting metabolite of Ibogaine into a patch technology ... developed to block cravings for drugs and alcohol.

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Safety Comments

One author states about Ibogaine, "The drug is dangerous and shouldn't be compared to other tryptamines. People definitely have died and there may be more fatalities unrecorded. You need to check liver and heart and be able to assess the results. You need to know resuscitation procedures and be prepared to call emergency medical assistance if necessary." These statements bring us to central issues: key tests and the ability to understand them. While the authors recognize that virtually every drug product may have associated fatal reactions, the issue with Ibogaine is, as it is with all drugs, that the responsibility is not only that of the patient/subject but, that of the provider. That alone should be reason for providers to screen for indicated health disorders.

Who Should Not Take This Medication?

Some researchers feel these patients below should not have Ibogaine.

1. Patients with a history of active neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as cerebellar dysfunction, psychosis, bipolar illness, major depression, organic brain disease or dementia, that require treatment.
2. Patients with depression. A score of twenty-four on the Beck Depression Inventory should prevent use.
3. Patients that interact or have reactions with the medication, e.g., anti-epileptic drugs, antidepressants, neuroleptics, etc.)
4. Patients with a history of significant heart disease or a heart attack or infarction.
5. Patients with blood pressure above 170 mm Hg systolic/105 mm Hg diastolic or below 80 mm Hg systolic/60 mm Hg diastolic.
6. No one with a pulse greater than 120 beats per minute or less than 50 beats per minute should take Ibogaine
7. Patients who have received any drug known to have a well-defined potential for toxicity to a major organ system within the month prior to entering the study.
8. Patients who have clinically significant laboratory values outside the limits thus specified by normal laboratory parameters.
9. Patients who have any disease of the gastrointestinal system, liver or kidneys, or which make these organs not function correctly and fully.
10. Patients with active tuberculosis should not take this medication
11. Many medications put a fetus at risk. It is likely this medication should not be used when pregnant.

For more information go to: www.ibogaine.org

I can neither endorse, support nor oppose this medical information above. Please discuss with your local physician in your country. Availability will likely vary depending on the country you live in.