A popular herbal supplement can be deadly when mixed with a commonly prescribed antidepressant, warns one pharmacist.
St. John’s wort is a natural herbal supplement that has shown promise in easing the symptoms of depression.
However, mixing St. John’s wort with citalopram – a type of antidepressant – can have deadly consequences.
As pharmacist Thorrun Govind explains, both St John’s wort and citalopram can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Adverse reactions have also been reported in patients mixing St. John’s wort with Prozac
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She told GB News: “Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction that results from having too much serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical produced by nerve cells in your brain and other areas of your body.
“Serotonin syndrome can cause symptoms such as diarrhea or nausea. In more severe cases it can cause symptoms seizures.
“In some cases, severe serotonin syndrome can be fatal. It is always important to seek advice from a healthcare professional if you are seeking to add supplements or other remedies to a prescribed medication.”
Citalopram is not the only antidepressant that must not be combined with St. John’s wort.
Mixing the herbal supplement with the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac) can also cause an adverse reaction, according to a study published in 2015 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide compared adverse events of St. John’s wort and the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac). The team used information from doctors’ reports to Australia’s national agency on drug safety.
Between 2000 and 2013, there were 84 adverse reaction reports for St. John’s wort. There were 447 reports for Prozac.
Since reporting adverse events is voluntary, researchers said it’s likely that adverse events are underreported.
Between 2000 and 2013, there were 84 adverse reaction reports for St. John’s wort. There were 447 reports for Prozac
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Taking St John’s wort with other medicines, such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants and the combined contraceptive pill, can also cause serious health problems.
You shouldn’t take St John’s wort if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as it’s unclear whether it’s safe.
“The amount of active ingredient varies among individual brands and batches, making the effects unpredictable<” warns the NHS.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
