Drug & supplement interaction

Ayahuasca + Bromocriptine

Bromocriptine brand name: Parlodel.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Bromocriptine falls into 2 drug categories that Ayahuasca can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, ayahuasca might increase plasma concentrations of CYP3A4 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Ayahuasca and Bromocriptine

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Ayahuasca interacts with whole categories of medication. Bromocriptine falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Ayahuasca in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Bromocriptine

Bromocriptine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Ayahuasca interacts with.

Theoretically, ayahuasca might increase plasma concentrations of CYP3A4 substrates.
Ayahuasca contains beta-carboline alkaloids. In vitro research suggests that beta-carboline alkaloids competitively inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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 short version: your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to clear bromocriptine out of your system. The beta-carboline compounds in ayahuasca (harmine, harmaline) may slow that enzyme down. If clearance slows, more bromocriptine can linger in your blood, which could mean stronger effects and more side effects than usual, things like nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness when you stand up, headache, or drowsiness.

I want to be honest about the evidence here. This interaction has only been seen in lab (test tube) studies, not in real people, so it's theoretical at this point. That said, ayahuasca is a potent brew with its own serious risks, and bromocriptine already affects blood pressure and dopamine. Please don't change anything on your own. Talk it through with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Zhao, T., He, Y. Q., Wang, J., Ding, K. M., Wang, C. H., and Wang, Z. T. Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes 3A4 and 2D6 by β-carboline alkaloids, harmine derivatives. Phytother Res 2011;25(11):1671-1677.
  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
Moderate

DOPAMINE AGONISTS

2 of 2

Bromocriptine also falls under DOPAMINE AGONISTS.

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 concern with combining ayahuasca and bromocriptine (Parlodel). Bromocriptine works by acting like dopamine in your brain. Ayahuasca contains harmine, which in animal studies appears to raise dopamine levels too. So in theory, you'd be pushing on the same system from two directions, and the effects could stack up.

If that happened, you might notice more of bromocriptine's usual side effects, like nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness when standing, headache, or in stronger cases confusion or hallucinations. I want to be honest though: this warning is theoretical, based on pharmacology and animal data, not real human reports. Ayahuasca also carries its own serious risks separate from this. Please don't change anything on your own. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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 Bromocriptine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 803 No known interaction 2,027 (incl. Bromocriptine)
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 Bromocriptine

This page covers Ayahuasca only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Bromocriptine page lists 143 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 99 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Bromocriptine page

“Grapefruit is the supplement-aisle item I would flag first for anyone taking bromocriptine (Parlodel). It blocks CYP3A4, the enzyme that clears bromocriptine, so drug levels can climb and side effects with them.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Bromocriptine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Ayahuasca and Bromocriptine 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

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

29 days ago today
Medication Bromocriptine
Top 25%

#369 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 Bromocriptine

What Is Bromocriptine Used For?

Brand name: Parlodel

Bromocriptine mesylate tablets and capsules (sold as Parlodel and generics) treat conditions caused by too much prolactin in the blood — including missed periods, unwanted breast milk production, infertility, and hypogonadism (low sex-hormone function). They are also used for prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors (adenomas), acromegaly (excess growth hormone), and the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease, often alongside levodopa.

Cycloset — a specific bromocriptine tablet formulation — is separately approved as an add-on to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Cycloset should not be used for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

See full Bromocriptine 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
803 Moderate 2,026 No 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

We also checked Ayahuasca against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,026 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Ayahuasca list.

See the full Ayahuasca interactions page
See every supplement checked against Bromocriptine, ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Ayahuasca monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Bromocriptine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Bromocriptine, ranked by severity Bromocriptine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Ayahuasca and Bromocriptine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Ayahuasca with Bromocriptine?
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.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Ayahuasca and Bromocriptine?
Bromocriptine belongs to more than one drug category, and Ayahuasca interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Ayahuasca and Bromocriptine 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

Still Have a Question About Bromocriptine and Ayahuasca?

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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.