Drug & supplement interaction

Ayahuasca + Apomorphine

Apomorphine brand names: Uprima, Apokyn, APO-go, APO-go Pen, APO-go PFS.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ayahuasca has a moderate interaction with Apomorphine. Theoretically, ayahuasca might have additive effects when used with dopamine agonists.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Ayahuasca and Apomorphine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

DOPAMINE AGONISTS

Why this applies to Apomorphine

Apomorphine falls under DOPAMINE AGONISTS — the group Ayahuasca interacts with.

Theoretically, ayahuasca might have additive effects when used with dopamine agonists.
Ayahuasca contains the beta-carboline constituent harmine. Animal research shows that harmine increases extracellular dopamine levels.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for Apokyn (apomorphine): this medicine works by directly mimicking dopamine in your brain to smooth out those tough "off" episodes in Parkinson's. Ayahuasca contains harmine, and in animal studies that compound has been shown to raise dopamine levels. So the worry is that the two could stack on top of each other and push your dopamine activity higher than intended.

If that happened, you might see more of apomorphine's usual dopamine-related effects, things like nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness when standing, drowsiness, or even unwanted involuntary movements. I want to be honest though: this is a theoretical concern based on how the chemistry should behave, not something proven in people. On top of that, ayahuasca is a strong, risky brew on its own. Please loop in your doctor or pharmacist before mixing anything.

References
  1. Iurlo, M., Leone, G., Schilstrom, B., Linner, L., Nomikos, G., Hertel, P., Silvestrini, B., and Svensson, H. Effects of harmine on dopamine output and metabolism in rat striatum: role of monoamine oxidase-A inhibition. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2001;159(1 PubMed
  2. dos Santos RG. Safety and side effects of ayahuasca in humans--an overview focusing on developmental toxicology. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2013 Jan-Mar;45(1):68-78. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Ayahuasca Also Interacts With Other Medications

Ayahuasca has 803 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Apomorphine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Ayahuasca

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Ayahuasca. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Apomorphine

This page covers Ayahuasca only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Apomorphine page lists 67 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), St. John's Wort (major), Bitter Melon (moderate), Black Horehound (moderate) and Black Pepper (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 49 moderate · 16 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Apomorphine page

“Apomorphine is often used as a rescue treatment for sudden "off" episodes in Parkinson's disease, which makes a reliable dose worth protecting, and this is a list to read with real care rather than skim. Of the 67 supplements and herbs on file, two carry a major rating: St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Apomorphine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Ayahuasca and Apomorphine Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Ayahuasca
Top half

#426 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Apomorphine
Top 25%

#346 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Ayahuasca

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca
  • Spiritual and ceremonial rituals
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance use disorders
  • Personal or emotional insight

Ayahuasca is a powerful psychoactive brew that combines a DMT-containing plant with a vine that allows the DMT to take effect, causing intense hallucinations. It is illegal in many places, can trigger dangerous reactions, and is not recommended for self-use; talk to a doctor or pharmacist before considering it.

Read the full Ayahuasca monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Apomorphine Injection

What Is Apomorphine Injection Used For?

Brand names: Uprima, Apokyn, APO-go, APO-go Pen, APO-go PFS

Apomorphine injection is used to treat acute, intermittent episodes of hypomobility — often called 'off' episodes — in people with advanced Parkinson's disease. These include both predictable 'end-of-dose wearing off' and unpredictable 'on/off' episodes, when Parkinson's symptoms suddenly return or worsen between doses of other medications.

It is typically used alongside other Parkinson's medications, not as a standalone treatment. Apokyn is given as an as-needed subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. Onapgo is administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion with the option of supplemental doses.

See full Apomorphine Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Ayahuasca

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Ayahuasca — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
803Moderate
0Minor
2,026No known interaction
Moderate

803 interactions

Showing 60 of 803 moderate interactions — see all 803 on the Ayahuasca page.

No interaction 2,026 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Ayahuasca and Apomorphine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Ayahuasca with Apomorphine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Ayahuasca and Apomorphine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.