Does St. John's Wort interact with any drugs?
Yes, over 500 drug interactions are possible with St. John's Wort and some can be dangerous or change the effectiveness of your medicine. Examples include some antidepressants, specific migraine treatments, warfarin, certain foods and alcohol, or birth control pills.
St. John’s Wort is a popular over-the-counter herbal supplement widely used to help with symptoms of depression. Due to the seriousness of many drug interactions, you should consult with your health care provider before using St. John's Wort. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
A sampling of drugs you should not combine with St. John's Wort includes:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors
- nefazodone
- triptans for migraine
- warfarin
- birth control pills or other estrogens
- certain HIV medications
- certain hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug treatments
There are many other possible interactions. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for a drug interaction review with St. John's Wort if you take prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), vitamin or other herbal or dietary medications.
Related: View drug interactions with St. John's Wort (in more detail)
This is not all the information you need to know about St. John's Wort for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Drug Interactions Checker. St John's Wort. drugclasses.com. Accessed May 15, 2023 at https://www.drugclasses.com/mtm/st-john-s-wort.html
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Drug information
- St. John's Wort Information for Consumers
- St. John's Wort prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of St. John's Wort (detailed)
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