can you mix St Johns Wort's and Fluoxatine together?

Question

I take fluoxitine as my anti-depressant and a friend mentioned St John Worts herbal is good for stress etc, just wanted to know if anyone out there knows if there is any side effects??

Answer 1

No! I just read about that a few minutes ago... here's what my psychopharmacology textbook has to say about it: "Self-medication with St. John's wort.. has been shown to alter the blood levels of prescritption antidepressants." Also, herbal medications such as St. John's Wort are considered "dietary suppliments," and are not regulated by the FDA. "When screened, some herabl preparations have been found to contain none of what is listed on the label." Even if the label does accurately list the ingredients, studies have found as much as a 10 found difference in the amount of active ingredients found in herbal products with identical labeled contents. A study of herbal medications sold in California found that 32% contained at lest one drug or contaminant not listed on the label. Those contaminants included lead, arsenic, and mercury. (That's all according to the textbook). While many of the active ingredients in herbal suppliments do have profound medical benefits (and many convential treatments are derived from plant compounds), over the counter hebal suppliments are not regulated, and are not always safe, either on their own or in combination with prescription medications.

According to Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, "Taking St. John's wort with other antidepressants may lead to increased side effects, including serotonin syndrome and mania... These interactions may occur in people taking St. John's wort with SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac®)..." You probably already know what mania is, but if not, it's characterized by rapid speech, hyperactivity, insomnia, and related symptoms. Serotonin syndrome is potentially life-treatening. Symptoms include vomiting, hallucinations, loss of coordiation, muscle spasms, termor, and various other things. It can lead to serious muscle damage (and the damaged muscles produces toxins that can cause kidney damage), coma, and even death. All in all, it's not a good thing.

Answer 2

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!
St John's Wort is responsible for numerous drug interactions. Taking it with fluoxetine may cause a syndrome called serotonin syndrome, in which your blood pressure skyrockets and temp goes up rapidly. It could be fatal. (As in DEAD.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

In all US tests, St Johns Wort was no more effective than placebo. That means better than nothing!

It has many side effects. MANY.
Another problem is that the actual dose you get varies from product to product- these products are not regulated by the FDA like proper drugs are.

You should not take any over-the counter products- vitamins, herbals, or OTC products- without checking with your pharmacist about interactions.
The next time you get your fluoxetine refilled, please read the entire package insert and discover what you should know about the drugs you are taking. If you do not feel the drug is helping, speak with your doctor. You may need a dosage change, you may be taking it incorrectly, or you may need to add psychotherapy for best results.

Answer 3

NO NO NO NO do NOT MIX St Johns Wort with ANY anti-depressant. Side effects can be fatal.

All SSRIs, including St. John's Wort, may cause serious disruption of serotonin metabolism, leading to episodes of severe aggression and/or depression resulting in homicide and/or suicide. Never administer St. John’s Wort to any person less than 18 years old or take in combination with any other anti-depressant or SSRI such as Prozac, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, and others, or with any MAO inhibitor such as Lipitor, Marplan, Eldepryl, Nardil, Parnate, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, and others.

Answer 4

No , never !! Although u can buy st johns wart over the counter it doesn`t make it safe , the flouxatine has beed prescribed so mixing the 2 is definitely a big no-no ... if your not impressed with your prescribed meds go back to your gp and see if theres another that may suit you better ...
Good Luck x

Answer 5

hi! better NOT never mix st johns worth with any kind of anti depressing its not good i do not know tested myself but i worked for a long time in a herbal shop and they always teached me not to do so.. if you can by any change to get of you medication ask you doctor, go for herbal its always better as pharmaceutical medication is not doing any good it temporary ''helps'' you but it is chemical .. so ask your doctor and try that also you probably need to relax and have fun? do things you used to like very much just do them evan if you don't want them at first it takes you to and brings you at other places meeting new people etc.. also burn incense real oil lavender in a oil burner or chamomile (look on eBay) for that cheap and good and find out what you really want maybe you gif or have given to much? and now its time for you?... don't know which you all good xxx Nat

Answer 6

No.
Do not mix St johns Wart with ANY prescribed (or otherwise) drugs for anxiety or depression or any mental health treatment.
Speak to your doctor before taking anything over the counter while you're on fluoxetine - or even the pharmacist. They will advise you.

Answer 7

No. There is a well recorded drug interaction between St. John's Wort and drugs like Fluoxetine (SSRIs). If you are on medication from your GP you should discuss with him any actions you are contemplating.

Answer 8

Hiya,their is no problem taking herbal tablets with prozac,ive been on prozac for 15years,and i truly believe it has saved my life.Everyone is different,and the drug is not always well tolirated in some people.
You ask of side affects,turn the question around,what are the side affects of not taking my prescribed medication?.Deppression.
Their can be side affects but in my case the benifits vastly outway any side affects.Good luck

Answer 9

i have been told not to mix st johns wort with any anti depressant

Answer 10

it's not wise to take them together. I take venlafaxine which is a similar antidepressant and I have been advised not to take in conjunction with St Johns Wort.

Check the leaflet that comes with your medication - it may mention it if not i'd check with your doc to be on the safe side