This open-label study (n=21) investigated the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of ibogaine (20mg) in response to inhibiting its metabolism via pretreatment with the antidepressant paroxetine in a placebo-controlled manner. Results indicate that the dose was safe and well-tolerated in all subjects, although paroxetine greatly increased the half-life of ibogaine to detectable levels at 72 hours post-infusion.
Abstract
“Introduction: Conversion of ibogaine to its active metabolite noribogaine appears to be mediated primarily by CYP2D6.
Methods: We compared 168 hours pharmacokinetic profiles of both analytes after a single oral 20 mg dose of ibogaine in 21 healthy subjects who had been pretreated for 6 days with placebo or the CYP2D6 inhibitor paroxetine.
Results: In placebo‐pretreated subjects, ibogaine was rapidly converted to noribogaine. Median peak noribogaine concentrations occurred at 4 hours. Compared with placebo‐pretreated subjects, paroxetine‐pretreated subjects had rapid (Tmax = 1.5 hours) and substantial absorption of ibogaine, with detectable levels out to 72 hours, and an elimination half‐life of 10.2 hours. In this group, ibogaine was also rapidly converted to noribogaine with a median Tmax of 3 hours. Extent of noribogaine exposure was similar in both groups. CYP2D6 phenotype was robustly correlated with ibogaine AUC0–t (r = 0.82) and Cmax (r = 0.77). Active moiety (ibogaine plus noribogaine) exposure was ∼2‐fold higher in paroxetine‐pretreated subjects. Single 20 mg ibogaine doses were safe and well tolerated in all subjects.
Discussion: The doubling of exposure to active moiety in subjects with reduced CYP2D6 activity suggests it may be prudent to genotype patients awaiting ibogaine treatment, and to at least halve the intended dose of ibogaine in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers.”
Authors: Paul Glue, Helen Winter, Kira Garbe, Hannah Jakobi, Alexander Lyudin, Zoe Lenagh‐Glue & C. Tak Hung
Summary of Influence of CYP2D6 activity on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single 20 mg dose of ibogaine in healthy volunteers
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive chemical from the roots of the Tabernanthe iboga plant, and has been used for centuries to help combat hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and in high doses to cause dream-like hallucinations for spiritual rituals. Ibogaine’s use to assist with withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients has mostly focused on opioid withdrawal symptoms, with no detailed vital sign or other physiological parameters reported.
Methods
The protocol for this study was approved by the Southern Health and Disability Ethics Committee and registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry. All subjects provided signed informed consent prior to enrolment. Subjects were given a single 30 mg dose of dextromethorphan on day 1, and a double blind capsule containing paroxetine or placebo between days 2 and 15. Blood samples were collected pre-dose and at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours post dose.
Study details
Compounds studied
Ibogaine
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Safety
Study characteristics
Placebo-Controlled
Open-Label
Randomized
Participants
21
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
Ibogaine 20 mg | 1x