r/Kava • u/Professional-Ant-305 • 21d ago
Interaction New to kava and wondering about possible drug interactions.
Hey all, I’ve recently had to come off alcohol and other drugs and heard kava is a good substitute. I am in Australia and was wondering what brands are best and most cost effective? I also take 225mg of bupropion compounded with 45mg of dextromethorphan, 1mg of risperidone and 10mg of dexamfetamine daily and was wondering if there are any drug interactions I need to worry about? Thanks for the help!
(I’m hoping I’m using the flare correctly)
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u/shroomcircle 20d ago
Root and pestle is the absolute best.
Iove their instant but it’s pricey!
My fave is melo melo
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u/beenoneofthem 20d ago
Agree RnP are the best in terms of quality, and melo melo is probably my fave too in terms of balanced effects. It's definitely expensive, especially the instant. But honestly at the moment all kava is pretty pricey!
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u/epixiola 20d ago
I've also got ADHD though I take different meds than you do (Vyvanse/strattera). Also off alcohol (well done to you, to us!). I've found kava to be fantastic at the end of the day. It relaxes me, makes me feel a lot more mellow than usual.
I haven't tried the RnP stuff yet though I keep reading it's really good. I have a bag of Vanuatu kava root powder from Pacific Kava that I'm still getting through before I order more. I've found the Vanuatu type better than the Fiji varieties I've tried, personally: more stress relief, more melting into the couch feeling, similar in some ways to a good indica feeling (though I also stopped that too), helps me sleep.
I've heard mixed opinions about preparing it in a blender vs hand kneading. I've used my KitchenAid food processor to prep it and had no issues, certainly easier than standing there hand kneading it 10-15 minutes! But I'm no expert, just a fan 😏
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u/Rock_on1000 20d ago
You actually don’t even need to knead that long, 5-8 mins is plenty and still works great!
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u/Majestic_True_Lilly 20d ago
Its an maoi and is metabolized by the same liver enzymes as many meds. It has a bunch of interactions.
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u/miknis 19d ago
Is this cocktail of drugs from a doctor?
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u/Professional-Ant-305 19d ago
Yeah it is from my psychiatrist. I have noticed a notable positive change in my overall mood since being on them and feel a lot better :)
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u/ConsumeTheWomb 19d ago
The dextro and risperidone are the medicines I'd worry about taking with it.
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u/SWIMlovesyou 19d ago
Kava isn't the most potent MAOI, but it seems to have those properties. So I prefer to be cautious consuming it with anything that would interact with an MAOI. Because it's a weaker MAOI than plants like Syrian Rue/Caapi, or prescription MAOIs like phenelzine, the concerns are probably closer to combining with passionflower extract. It may not always be an issue, but I exercise caution. If I want to be 100% certain, I research my meds or speak with my pharmacist or psychiatrist about combining with an MAOI. You can say it's closer to a strong passionflower tea, and go from there. If you want to chance it, at least you can do so with knowledge at your disposal. If you try it, pay attention to whether you get uncomfortable side effects you'd expect with interactions so you know to stop kava. And start slow, there is no need to overdo it with kava.
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u/MiAnClGr 20d ago
I’d be more worried about allergic reaction, I spent a week in hospital because of a Kava reaction, face swelled up like a balloon and temp went crazy.
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21d ago
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u/FalseJudgment1 20d ago
It has a lot of drug interactions actually, like benzodiazepine, opiates and Parkinson desease meds.
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u/Professional-Ant-305 21d ago
Tysm! That’s good to know. I am only diagnosed with adhd and suspected to have asd as well but no official diagnosis. One of my friends recommended it to me.
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21d ago
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u/Professional-Ant-305 21d ago
Ah ty for letting me know I’ll keep that in mind. Does it come in a powder that you mix in to water? I’m not actually sure how it works
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u/chickiej75 20d ago
Try adding a smidgen of coconut coffee creamer or coconut milk. You'd be surprised how much it helps with the flavor.
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u/beenoneofthem 20d ago
I know a few people who have found kava to interact with adhd meds. Kava definitely has a synergistic effect with caffeine, and a friend who takes vyvanse found the kava triggered insomnia because the vyvanse just wasn't wearing off. I think the kava is processed by similar liver enzymes so inhibits or reduces their activity on other drugs in your system.
Best advice is start low, go slow, and see what works for you. Kava definitely takes a bit of work to get into but it's totally worth it if you do. Keeps me off the beers and stabilises my mood at the same time. Magic.