Informed Consent
For participants in Inti & Waira Overnight Ceremonies sessions.
The purpose of this document is to provide participants with a clear understanding of the nature of the medicine and of their role in the sessions.
Relevant Information
(Delete as appropriate) This medicine session is run by ........................................................................, and their team. The work that is carried out in the session will focus on personal growth and therapeutic self-work / spiritual work by the participants through the ceremonial indigenous / religious practice within the tradition of the ………………. That involves icaros / meditation / sacred singing / … / and the ingestion of our sacrament / … the medicine.
The medicine is an Amazonian decoction of the vine Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains betacarbolines, and either the leaves of the shrub Psychotria viridis (Chacruna) or the leaves and stems of the liana Diplopterys cabrerana (Chacropanga), which naturally contain the alkaloid Dimethyltriptamine (DMT). The brewing of the tea does not involve any chemical extraction processes, nor the admixture of pure compounds or any other psychoactive substances. For centuries, the medicine has played an important role in the ceremonial practices of indigenous communities of the Amazon basin to facilitate and maintain the health of the individual and the community as a whole.
Working with the medicine is not a substitute for medical, psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment, but can complement a therapeutic process and facilitate personal development. If you are currently receiving treatment of any kind and are not sure about whether to participate in a session, check with your doctor or therapist first.
The effects produced by the medicine may include changes in your perception of reality and way of thinking, visions (of abstract motifs or clearly identifiable images and scenarios), heightened emotions, access to detailed memories that you’d thought forgotten, paranormal phenomena, the emergence of fears or difficult emotions (some of which may be associated with blockages in the body and be causing pain and tension), introspection, and perinatal or transpersonal experiences (in which you may experience your own death and rebirth). At the physical level, you may experience nausea, vomiting, chills, tingling, ringing in the ears, dizziness, diarrhea, tremors, sweating, ataxia (loss of bodily control) and, in rare cases, fainting.
Sometimes, especially if you have not ingested the medicine before, you may not notice any visionary effects. If that happens, it does not mean the medicine is not having an effect on other levels. The experience is more intense with eyes closed, and the best thing you can do in difficult times is to breathe slowly and deeply, go with the music and have confidence in the process that the medicine is taking you through, and in the person holding the session. The medicine experience is not linear, but rather it passes through different phases, some more pleasant, even euphoric, and others more difficult. You may temporarily experience the temporary states of mental, emotional or physical discomfort, such as suspicion, paranoia and ‘delusions of reference’ (e.g. believing the whole world is watching you or that something is happening because of or for you). It is quite normal to have several waves of these feelings during the experience, and they tend to pass quickly. They are feelings that we all have at some time or another in our lives, and although they may be uncomfortable, exposing ourselves to them in this helps us to deal with them. Remember, support is right there if you need it - just signal or call out.
Although scientific studies show that in controlled environments the medicine is relatively safe to ingest for people without serious physical or psychological problems, there are some cases of it having adverse effects. These tend to be acute, such as a panic attack or psychotic episode with depersonalization, and there are some chronic cases, albeit very rare, in the form of anxiety, depersonalization, delirium or psychosis. The setting and adequate preparation and integration are key to reducing any risk as much as possible.
If you agree to participate in this session, you will be required to answer a series of questions and to complete a medical form and questionnaire. You must agree to answer all questions honestly and to disclose any relevant personal information about your health. After the session, you will be contacted and invited to fill out the questionnaire again for the purpose of monitoring and measuring your psychological and physical progress.
Your facilitator is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any personal information. This includes your name, address, phone number and other information that could identify you.
If you have questions about the session or your integration process over the coming months, feel free to approach the facilitator or any member of the team. Your participation in the sessions is entirely voluntary and you are free to opt out if you wish before the start of the session. However, you must endeavor at all times to follow the instructions of the team and facilitator so that your safety is not jeopardized. The facilitator’s discretion may be used at any time to exclude you from participation in the session for any perceived impairment in your physical or psychological health that risks leading to problems for you during the session, or if for any other reason you do not meet the requirements for participation.
The person administering the medicine knows the ingredients and the strength of the brew and will adjust the dose for each participant on the basis of their age, gender, experience, sensitivity, health status and needs. The facilitator and his team are committed to protecting your physical and emotional security, integrity and privacy throughout the process, and intend to provide you with the psychological and physical support you need during the preparation phase, the session itself and the period afterwards. We have an emergency protocol and commit to provide any necessary support should the need arise.
Declaration
I, the undersigned, accept the conditions of participating in medicine sessions held by ........................................................................ and their team, and I declare that I am choosing to participate of my own free will.
I have not been coerced into participating in sessions by the organizers or by any other person; the decision to participate is mine alone, and is based on my own personal assessment of the effects, the exclusion criteria, the potential risks and benefits, the focus of the session and the commitment of the people running it.
I am aware that I am to answer all questions honestly during the screening process and am required to complete questionnaires before and after the session. I agree to provide all the relevant information about my medical history, my mental and physical health and any other information that may serve to protect my health during this process.
I acknowledge that the information I provide to the organizers of this session is strictly confidential and will not be used without my approval for any other purpose than as described in the accompanying document.
The person running the session has explained to me what to expect from the session and how it is intended to proceed. I am aware that I can ask questions about the session at any time and can change my mind about attending at any time before the session begins.
Once the session has started, I commit to not leaving the space without the consent of the person running the session, and I commit to following the instructions at all times, from the preparatory stage through to integration. I understand and agree that I can be excluded from participation in a session at the discretion of the facilitator.
I understand that I will receive a copy of this consent form.
Name: ......................................................................................................
Date: ...............................
Signature: ......................................................................................................
Information about the Session
The Medicine sessions are intended to be a personal growth experience and should not be considered a substitute for psychotherapy, but rather a complementary therapeutic device. Working with the Medicine can involve intense experiences accompanied by strong emotional and physical releases. It is not recommended for people with cardiovascular problems, serious hypertension, psychiatric conditions, recent fractures or surgery, acute infectious diseases, epilepsy, or active spiritual emergencies. There is no data on the safety of the Medicine in pregnant women. For more information about the Medicine, please visit www.iceers.org
If you have any doubt as to whether you should participate in the session, it is essential that you consult your doctor or therapist, as well as the organizers of the session.
Personal Information
Please answer all questions as fully as possible. Your answers are intended to help facilitators and are strictly confidential.
Do you currently suffer from or have a family history of any of these ailments?
YES / NO
a) Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack
b) High blood pressure
c) Psychiatric condition
d) Recent operation
e) Past or current physical injuries, including fractures or dislocations
f) Infectious or contagious diseases
g) Glaucoma
h) Displaced Retina
i) Epilepsy
j) Osteoporosis
k) Asthma (if yes, make sure you bring your inhaler to the session)
Are you pregnant?
Have you ever been hospitalized for a psychiatric illness?
Is there anyone in your family with a history of psychiatric disorders?
Are you currently receiving therapy or attending any kind of support group?
Are you taking any medication?
Is there anything else about your physical or emotional state we should know about?
Have you taken the Medicine before? If yes, how many times? _______
Have you experienced adverse or particularly difficult experiences with the Medicine that you have found hard to integrate? _______
Have you experienced adverse or particularly difficult experiences with other psychoactive substances that you have found hard to integrate? _______
If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, it is important to give specific details on the back of this form or on another sheet.
The session organizer should receive this form as part of your registration. We cannot confirm your place at the session until we have received this form.
Please read and sign the following declaration
I declare that I have read and understood the information in this medical form. I further declare that I have answered all the above questions fully and honestly and have not withheld any information that I believe could be important.
As far as I am aware, my general health is good.
Name: _______________________________________
Date: _______________________
Signature: _______________________________________
Meds to avoid ( Please read)
Is it really dangerous to combine some pharmaceutical drugs with
YES. Unlike food interactions, whose consequences are usually unlikely to be serious, interaction with pharmaceutical drugs and meds (including some over-the-counter drugs and certain herbs) can be potentially life-threatening..The combination of MAOIs and other serotonin agonists or precursors poses a particularly severe risk of a life-threatening serotonin syndrome episode.
These drugs and meds can be dangerous with the Medicine:
§ other MAOIs
§ SSRI’s (any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)
§ antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)
§ appetite suppressants (diet pills)
§ medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems; antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz, Bromarest-DM or -DX, Dimetane-DX cough syrup, Dristan Cold & Flu, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM, Vicks Formula 44-D, several Tylenol cold, cough, and flu preparations, and many others — any drug containing dextromethorphan/ DXM or with DM, DX or Tuss in its name.)
§ CNS (central nervous system) depressants (xanax, ativan, etc)
§ vasodilators
§ antipsychotics
§ barbiturates
§ alcohol
Illegal or recreational drugs that are VERY dangerous to combine with MAOIs:
- cocaine
- amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine), ephedrine, MDMA (Ecstasy), MDA, MDEA, PMA
- opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine, and especially opium)
- dextromethorphan (DXM)
- nutmeg
Illegal or recreational drugs that can be dangerous to combine with MAOIs:
- mescaline (any phenethylamine)
- barbiturates
- alcohol
- kratom
- kava
- 5-MEO-DMT
Some specific pharmaceutical drugs that should not be combined with MAOIs (some are mild risks, others serious):
- Actifed
- Adderall
- Alaproclate
- Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
- Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)
- Amiflamine
- Amineptine
- Amitriptaline
- Amoxapine (Asendin)
- Atomoxedine
- Bazinaprine
- Befloxetone’
- Befol
- Benadryl
- Benmoxinb (Nerusil, Neuralex)
- Benylin
- Benzedrine
- Benzphetamine (Didrex)
- Bicifadine
- Brasofensine
- Brofaromine (Consonar)
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Buspirone (BuSpar)
- Butriptyline
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol)
- Chlorpheniramine
- Chlor-Trimeton
- Cimoxetone
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Clorgyline
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Cyclizine (Marezine)
- D-deprenyl
- Dapoxotine
- Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin)
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- Dextromethorphan (DXM)
- Dibenzepin
- Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin
- Diethylpropion
- Disopyramide (Norpace)
- Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Dobutamine
- Dopamine (Intropin)
- Dosulepin
- Doxepin (Sinequan)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Emsam
- Entacapone
- Ephedrine
- Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Esuprone
- Etorphine
- Femoxitine
- Fenfluramine (Pondimin)
- Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluvoxamine
- Furazolidone (Furoxone)
- Guanethedine
- Guanadrel (Hylorel)
- Guanethidine (Ismelin)
- Hydralazine (Apresoline)
- Hydrazine
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Iprindole
- Iproniazid (Marsilid, Iprozid, Ipronid, Rivivol, Propilniazida)
- Iproclozide (Sursum)
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid)
- Isoniazid rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane)
- Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
- L-dopa (Sinemet)
- Ladostigil
- Lazabemide (Pakio, Tempium)
- Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa)
- Linezolid (Zyvox, Zyvoxid)
- Lithium (Eskalith)
- Lofepramine
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
- Mebanazine (Actomol)
- Medifoxamine
- Melitracen
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)
- Metaraminol (Aramine)
- Metfendrazine (Inkazan)
- Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
- Methyldopa (Aidomet)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Metralindole
- Mianserin
- Milacimide
- Milnacipran
- Minaprine (Cantor)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Mofegeline
- Moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix)
- Monomethylhydrazine
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- Nalbufrine
- Naloxone
- Naltrexone
- Nefazodone
- Nialamide (Niamid)
- Nisoxetine
- Nomifensine
- Norepinephrine (Levophed)
- Nortriptyline (Aventyl)
- Octamoxin (Ximaol, Nimaol)
- Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
- Oxycodone
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
- Oxymorphone
- Orphenadrine (Norflex)
- Pargyline (Eutonyl)
- Parnate
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Pemoline (Cylert)
- Percocet
- Pethedine (Demerol)
- Phendimetrazine (Plegiline)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Phenergen
- Phenelzine (Nardil, Nardelzine)
- Pheniprazine (Catron)
- Phenmetrazine
- Phenoxypropazine (Drazine)
- Phentermine
- Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo-Synephrine)
- Phenylhydrazine
- Phenylpropanolamine (found in many cold medicines)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Pirlindole (Pirazidol)
- Procarbazine (Matulane)
- Procainamide (Pronestyl)
- Protriptyline (Vivactil)
- Pseudoephedrine
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
- Quinidine (Quinidex)
- Rasagiline (Azilect)
- Reboxetine
- Reserpine (Serpasil)
- Risperidone
- Salbutemol
- Salmeterol
- Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar)
- Sercloramine
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Sibutramine
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- Terfenadine (Seldane-D)
- Tegretol
- Temaril
- Tesofensine
- Tetrindole
- Theophylline (Theo-Dur)
- Thesbutiaint
- Thioridazine (Mellaril)
- Tianeptine
- Tolcapone
- Toloxatone (Humoryl)
- Tramidol
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- Trazodone
- Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil)
- Trimipramine (Surmontil)
- Triptans
- Tyrima
- Vanoxerine
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
- Viloxezine
- Yohimbine
- Zimelidine
- Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Also avoid the following herbs for at least 48 hours before and after:
St. Johns Wort (should be avoided for at least two weeks)
Betel
Boswellia
Carrot seed
Chamomile
Curcumin
Dill seed
Ephedra
Fennel seed
Fo-Ti
Ginseng
Horny Goat Weed
Kanna
Kava
Kratom
Licorice Root
Nutmeg
Parsley seed
Rhodiola Rosea
Scotch Broom
Siberian Ginseng
Sinicuichi
Tumeric
Yerba Mate
Yohimbe
Using stimulants with MAOIs is particularly dangerous and can be potentially fatal. Using cocaine, amphetamines or MDMA (Ecstasy) with MAOIs may cause a severe increase in blood pressure, increasing the chances for stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. MAOIs may make it possible to overdose on a relatively small amount of cocaine. (A fatality has been recorded involving combination of Peganum harmala and cocaine. Fatalities resulting from combining amphetamines with pharmaceutical MAOIs are recorded in the medical literature.)
Using other serotonin agonists (SSRIs) or precursors with an MAOI can lead to serotonin syndrome. Serotinin syndrome is rare, but can be fatal. The main symptom of serotonin syndrome may be a severe and long-lasting headache (the same symptom as MAOI tyramine interaction) and/or fever (as high as 40 °C / 104 °F or more) Other symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include rapid heartbeat, shivering, sweating, dilated pupils, intermittent tremor or twitching, overactive or over responsive reflexes, hyperactive bowel sounds, high blood pressure. Severe serotonin syndrome may lead to shock, agitated delirium, muscular rigidity and high muscular tension, abnormal blood clotting and bleeding, respiratory failure, renal failure, and seizures, and can be life-threatening. This interaction can happen even if weeks have passed between stopping the SSRI and taking the MAOI. For further information on serotonin syndrome see this web page:http://www.psychotropical.com/
Using other MAOIs with the Medicine may result in hypertensive crisis, convulsive seizures, fever, marked sweating, excitation, delirium, tremor, coma and circulatory collapse.
Using 5-MEO-DMT with the Medicine or the Medicine analogs can be fatal. There is a documented case of fatality combining 5-MEO-DMT with an the Medicine analog.
Using opiates (opium, heroin, morphine, codeine) or barbiturates with MAOIs can increase the sedative effect and result in respiratory depression. Using MAOIs with heroin or morphine can theoretically push a normal dose to the overdose threshold. Opium (whether smoked or drunk as tea) is especially dangerous to combine with MAOIs, because it contains not only morphine and codeine, but another active alkaloid called thebaine, which can cause convulsions when combined with MAOIs, and which is also a stimulant (see above paragraph on stimulants). Painkillers synthesized from thebaine (buprenorphine, etorphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, nalbuphine, naloxone, naltrexone) should also be regarded as highly dangerous to combine with MAOIs.
Using alcohol with MAOIs may cause side effects like angina (chest pain) or headaches. The headache may mask or be mistaken for hypertensive crisis caused by MAOI interaction. MAOIs can also increase the sedative effect of alcohol.
Using diuretics with MAOIs may cause a greater drop in blood pressure than normal and increase in MAOI blood levels.
Using anesthetics with MAOIs may potentiate or increase the anesthetic effect.
Using sleeping pills or tranquilizers (major or minor) with MAOIs may increase the sedative effect.
Using nutmeg (at psychoactive levels) with MAOIs can cause hypotensive crisis (extremely low blood pressure), rapid heartbeat, unconsciousness and potentially death.
Using vasodilators with the Medicine may cause fainting (which carries the slight risk of choking on vomit) and increases the chances of having an experience in which one believes one is dying. Using vasodilators immediately after an the Medicine session also carries the risk of fainting or passing out.
Using Tricyclic antidepressants within two weeks of taking MAOIs may cause serious side effects including sudden fever, extremely high blood pressure, convulsions, and death.
Using Fluoxetine (Prozac) within five weeks of taking MAOIs may cause high fever, rigidity, high blood pressure, mental changes, confusion and hypomania.
Using Amitryptamine or Amoxipine with MAOIs may cause hyperpyretic crises, disseminated intravascular coagulation, convulsions, and death.
Using 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 spike in blood pressure) which can lead to brain hemorrhage or stroke.
Using Adderall with MAOIs can result in high body temperature (hyperpyrexic crisis), severe increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), seizures, and coma. (see paragraph above on stimulants)
Using Bupropion (Wellbutrin) within two weeks of taking MAOIs may cause serious side effects such as seizures.
Using Buspirone (Buspar) with MAOIs may cause high blood pressure and increased sedative effects.
Using Carbamazepine (Tegretol) with MAOIs may result in fever (hyperpyrexic crisis) and may cause seizures, or increase seizures in epileptics.
Using Citalopram with MAOIs may result in severe and sometimes fatal reactions involving elevations in blood pressure, hyperthermia, rigidity, and autonomic instability. This drug should be ceased a minimum of two weeks before taking the Medicine
Using Clomipramine with MAOIs may cause high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis), seizures, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and death.
Using CNS depressants with MAOIs may increase the depressant effects.
Using Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane) with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis, hyperpyretic crises, disseminated intravascular coagulation, convulsions, and death.
Using Dextromethorphan (DXM) at psychoactive levels with MAOIs may cause serotonin syndrome, extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), high body temperature (hyperpyrexic crisis), episodes of psychosis, and in high doses can potentially be fatal.
Using Dobutamine with MAOIs may precipitate severe hypertensive reaction.
Using Doxepin with MAOIs may cause hyperpyretic crises, disseminated intravascular coagulation, convulsions, and death.
Using Entacapone with MAOIs can stop the catalyst enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) from metabolizing levodopa to 3-O-methyldopa in the periphery, and in the brain.
Using Fenfluramine with MAOIs may result in fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).
Using Fluoxedine or Fluvaoxamine with MAOIs may result in severe and sometimes fatal reactions involving elevations in blood pressure, hyperthermia, rigidity, and autonomic instability. This drug should be ceased a minimum of two weeks before taking the Medicine.
Using Horny Goat Weed with MAOIs may result in hypotensive crisis (severe blood pressure drop).
Using Imipramine with MAOIs may cause hyperpyretic crises, disseminated intravascular coagulation, convulsions, and death.
Using Isoproterenol with MAOIs may precipitate severe hypertensive crisis.
Using Kava with MAOIs may result in hypotensive crisis (severe blood pressure drop).
Using Levodopa with MAOIs can stop the catalyst enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) from metabolizing levodopa to 3-O-methyldopa in the periphery, and in the brain.
Using Linezolid with MAOIs can cause serotonin syndrome.
Using Lithium with MAOIs may cause fever (hyperpyrexic crisis) and serotonin syndrome (see serotonin syndrome above).
Using Meperidine (Demerol) with pharmaceutical MAOIs has resulted in deaths from a single dose. Immediate onset of sweating, rigidity and hypertension can occur.
Using Metaproterenol or other beta-adrenergic bronchodilators with MAOIs may cause blood pressure elevation and rapid heartbeat.
Using Mirtazapine (Remeron) with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis.
Using Nefazodone (Serzone) may result in high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).
Using Paroxitine (Paxil) with MAOIs may result in severe and sometimes fatal reactions involving elevations in blood pressure, hyperthermia, rigidity, and autonomic instability. This drug should be ceased a minimum of two weeks before taking the Medicine.
Using Sertraline with MAOIs may result in severe and sometimes fatal reactions involving elevations in blood pressure, hyperthermia, rigidity, and autonomic instability. This drug should be ceased a minimum of two weeks before taking the Medicine.
Using Temaril with MAOIs may increase chance of side effects.
Using Terfenadine with MAOIs may cause an increase in MAOI blood levels.
Using Theophylline with MAOIs may cause rapid heartbeat and anxiety.
Using Tolcapone with MAOIs can stop the catalyst enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) from metabolizing levodopa to 3-O-methyldopa in the periphery, and in the brain.
Using Trazodone (Desyrel) with MAOIs may result in high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).
Using Tryptophan or L-tryptophan with MAOIs may cause disorientation, confusion, amnesia, delirium agitation, memory impairment, hypomanic signs, shivering.
Using Venlafaxine (Effexor) with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis or serotonin syndrome.
Using Ziprasidone (Geodon) with MAOIs may cause serotonin syndrome.
Using Zoloft (Sertraline) with MAOIs has produced fatal cases of serotonin syndrome, and can also result in fever, muscle rigidity, instability of the autonomic nervous system, delirium, and coma.
Special note to diabetics: MAOIs may change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medication that you need
How long do you have to stay off contraindicated drugs before and after an the Medicine ceremony?
Depends on the drug. May be 24 hours, may be six months. For over the counter drugs (like antihistamines), 48 hours before and after is more than enough. For prescription drugs, two to six weeks is typical, but do not guess. Find out for sure from your doctor. Your doctor may be unfamiliar with the Medicine specifically, but tell him or her that you are planning to take a reversible MAOI. Some people who plan to drink the Medicine in a country where it is not legal are concerned that the doctor will ask questions about the source of the MAOI and learn about an illegal activity. Doctors are bound by doctor-patient confidentiality and they would prefer to know about anything their patients are taking, legal or not. But if your doctor feels that he or she needs more information about the Medicine, you could refer him or her to this thread and other informational resources in this forum.
Medical consultation is especially important if you are taking Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Zoloft or other antidepressants that affect serotonin levels, i.e. serotonin selective re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI), because these substances must be reduced gradually. Fluoxetine (Prozac) requires 8 weeks (56 days) and most other SSRIs five weeks (35 days) to clear the system.