Over the Counter Medications, Supplements & Psychedelics

Over The Counter (OTC) medications are commonly used agents that have been reviewed by drug regulators and deemed safe and effective for use without a prescription. For this reason, they are oftentimes thought of as benign, however many OTC agents do carry potential risks of drug interaction or otherwise have effects on the cardiovascular and nervous system that could interfere, modulate, or raise risks of psychedelic use.

Beyond nonprescription or OTC agents that have undergone formal evaluation by drug regulators there is a multi-billion-dollar supplement industry that is likely producing over a hundred thousand other agents with almost no regulatory oversight and no or minimal biomedical evidence supporting safety or benefit. It is probable that while most agents present little risk in combination with psychedelics, that there are also supplements, stacks, or misrepresentations in the industry that could present risks.

While there is almost surely a supplement designed for just about any ailment, many OTC agents focus on treatment of coughs, colds, allergies, acid-reflux, and pain. In this webinar we will review classes of OTC agents with a specific focus on agents and their pharmacology that could introduce drug interaction risks with commonly used psychedelics. We will also focus on supplements that could carry drug interaction risks with psychedelics or are commonly recommended to be used around the time of psychedelics.

In addition, as the exception to the general theme of the webinar, we’ll discuss interaction potential of some prescription anti-emetics, ceremonial agents, recreational drugs. See the agents listed at the end of this description for further information on what is planned to be covered. 

Webinar Aims and Objectives

• Describe OTC agents and supplements that are likely to carry drug interaction potential with commonly used psychedelics.
• Discuss management strategies for OTC agents and supplements when persons are planning psychedelic experiences.

Important Webinar Details

• Registration includes access to the live webinar workshop, access to a copy of the video recording, as well as a PDF copy of slides.
• Workshop registration will consist of a ~60-75 min lecture, short break, ~30-45 min Q&A session.
• In the case of gross technical difficulties (e.g. power outage, repeated or prolonged internet disruption) or other circumstances (e.g., illness, medical emergency) significantly effecting the workshop quality or precluding its occurrence, the workshop will be rescheduled to a different time.

Webinar Disclaimer

This webinar is for information and educational purposes only. It is not meant to condone or encourage the use of illicit substances. The information presented is not medical advice and should not be taken as such. It is recommended you follow laws applicable to your jurisdiction.

OTC Agents and Supplements Discussed

It will not be possible to discuss all OTC agents or supplements in combination with psychedelics. The webinar may discuss rationales and safety for supplements that may support or are commonly recommended around the times of psychedelic use, however it is not the focus or intention of the webinar. Below is a list of agents that are planned for mention or discussion currently. Actual webinar contents may vary slightly from this list. Attendance of the webinar will allow for Q&A, however attendance is not a guarantee your questions on other agents will be addressed.

Cough and Cold
 Dextromethorphan
 Phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine

Pain & Analgesia
 NSAIDs, Acetaminophen, Aspirin
 Kratom

Weight Loss, Gym, and Energy Enhancers
 E.g. Hydroxycut
 Caffeine

Antiemetics (prescription and OTC)
 promethazine, prochlorperazine, ondansetron, metoclopramide, meclizine, dimenhydrinate
 Ondansetron - Serotonin-receptor antagonists
 Antihistamines

Antihistamines: Anti-Allergy, and Sleep Aids
 2 nd Generation antihistamines: loratadine, fexofenadine, cetirizine
 1 st Generation antihistamines: diphenhydramine, doxylamine, chlorpheniramine

Acid Reflux:
 H2 antihistamine: famotidine, cimetidine
 PPIs: omeprazole

Mood Modulators

 St. John’s Wort
 5-HTP and L-tryptophan

 Quercetin
 Cannabinoids
 SamE
 Methylene Blue

Ceremonial
 Cacao
 Hape

Recreational or NRT
 Nicotine products

 

About Dr Ben Malcolm, PharmD, MPH

Psychopharmacology Consultant and Psychedelic Educator
Founder of Spirit Pharmacist LLC

Dr. Ben Malcolm earned his bachelor’s degree (BS) in pharmacology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, prior to his Masters in Public Health (MPH) and Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) at Touro University California. He then completed post-graduate residencies in Acute Care at Scripps Mercy Hospital and Psychiatric Pharmacy at the University of California at San Diego Health.
 
After residency he passed his exam to become Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP). He began his career as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Western University of Health Sciences (WUHS), College of Pharmacy before transitioning to his current entrepreneurial role as a Psychopharmacology Consultant, Psychedelic Educator, and Founder of https://www.spiritpharmacist.com 

Ben envisions a society in which access to psychedelic drugs in a variety of safe and supported settings is available for purposes of psychospiritual well-being, personal development, ceremonial sacraments, and treatment of mental illness. is focus is on the intersection between psychiatric medications and psychedelic therapies. He has given several Continuing Education presentations to pharmacists and other healthcare professionals as well as published over a dozen articles in peer-reviewed literature relating to psychedelics or psychiatric medications.

His vision guides his clinical and education service-related professional activity.

Certifications

• Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) 2017-2022
• Licensed pharmacist CA #70652 2014-2022

Post-Graduate Training

• PGY-2 Residency, Psychiatric Pharmacy – University of California at San Diego, San Diego CA. 2016
• PGY-1 Residency, Acute Care – Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego CA. 2015

Education

• Doctorate of Pharmacy – Touro University California, Vallejo CA. 2014
• Master of Public Health – Touro University California, Vallejo CA. 2014
• Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology – University of California at Santa Barbara, Goleta CA. 2008

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For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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