Is st.johns wort? is it better to take for depression than prozac? does it need to be prescribed by doctor?

Answer 1

You don't need a prescription for St. John's Wort. Several clinical studies have shown it to be more effective than placebo (i.e. a sugar pill that the person believes is actual medication), but less effective than most prescription antidepressants, including Prozac. There are most likely certain compounds in St. John's Wort that do have an antidepressant effect.

HOWEVER, St. John's Wort is considered a dietary supplement, not a medication, and is therefore NOT regulated by the FDA. This means that there is no guarantee that what you buy in a store isn't contaminated with toxins (in fact, studies have found that most so called herbal supplements are multiple harmful contaminants that are not listed on the label). There's also no guarantee that the dose will be the same in two different batches, or that the active ingredient will even be there at all. While certain compounds found in St. John's Wort may be safe and effective antidepressants, the herbal supplements you can purchase are not. Multiple studies have found that herbal supplements often contain multiple toxic contaminants, as well as ingredients not listed on the label, and may not contain the advertised active ingredient at all.

Also, just because something is natural does not automatically mean it's safe. Many of the world's deadliest toxins occur naturally in certain plants and animals. Many plants do have medicinal value. But they didn't evolve to cure human illness, the medically active compounds in these plants evolved as defense mechanisms against herbivores. They evolved to be deadly to certain animals. It's purely coincidental that they have medical benefits in humans at lower doses, and most medications, both natural and synthetic, are lethal if you take enough of them. There is absolutely no evidence to support the claim that "natural" compounds are inherently safer than synthetic ones. In fact, there's considerable evidence to refute it. The safest medicines are the ones that have been subjected to rigorous scientific testing and demonstrated to be safe and effective. Whether the compounds are natural or synthetic is irrelevant.

Finally, if you are currently taking Prozac or any other prescription antidepressant, or have stopped taking an MAOI within the past two weeks, do not take St. John's Wort. This can result in a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition known as serotonin syndrome. If you're taking any other prescription medications, you should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John's Wort as other medications can also produce dangerous interactions.

Answer 2

i attempted the two, so desire right it incredibly is helpfull: St John's Wort has been shown useful for gentle melancholy - if it helped you earlier, that is extremely worth attempting it returned. supply your self a time cut back for a manner long you will use it - say 5 weeks - and then evaluation the way you experience. while you are not greater advantageous, end the St John's Wort, wait a on a similar time as and then think of on the subject of the Prozac. while you're worried approximately element outcomes, ask your GP to furnish you liquid Prozac - that's what I did. It ability you could build the dose up very slowly to make specific you experience ok, and minimises the prospect of gruesome element outcomes. notice: verify including your physician how long after combating St John's Wort that is risk-free to take Prozac; you could no longer take the two on a similar time and that i've got a feeling there would desire to be extremely an area between the two. Prozac can take as much as six weeks to extremely commence working; it helps many people and is extremely worth a attempt. If for any reason you're taking it, and then end it, do no longer take something devoid of checking including your physician first. If Prozac would not help, there are a number of different anti depressants; many people would desire to purpose a number of, so nevertheless that is hard, attempt to no longer problem approximately that, it incredibly is an hassle-free concern.

Answer 3

Hey, this is right up my alley because I am now using St. Johns Wort and have in the past taken Zoloft, Prozac and several other prescription drugs. The prescriptions work by raising Serotonin, a chemical in your brain that is believed to help with mood elevation.

These SSRI's or Selective Serotonin re uptake inhibitor drugs do work if your Serotonin level is low. As with most of the pharmaceutical industries magic pills however it does NOT help with the actual problem that is causing the depression but simply treats the symptom.

Now St. Johns Wort is an herbal supplement that is claimed by many to help elevate their mood level. It doesn't work for me and I've continued using it for months without any noticeable improvement in symptoms. So understand that this is claimed by many to work but it apparently doesn't for some. ( the same can be said of the prescription drugs also BTW)

Now the problem with the prescription meds is that they usually cause unwanted side effects. The most serious is suicide in teenagers so if you're in that age group, make certain you are under constant care and don't just get a script from your GP and go it alone. Consider counseling and a support group if you think prescription drugs are the way to go.

Of the meds, Prozac was my preferred drug of choice. It made me feel better but I lost all drive and ambition. As I have a family to support this was not a good side effect. Zoloft worked but absolutely killed my sex life. This is a very common side effect of the SSRI drug group. Prozac caused similar but not as pronounced problems.

In the end, these drugs can help with the symptoms but don't come without a side effect price for most of us. If you think you're depressed, see a doctor to find the right drug for your situation. There are many available and you may find one that works well.

If you're simply struggling with mild depression, you may want to consider the more natural anti-depressants like St. Johns Wort. It couldn't hurt and is easier to use long term.

Remember that the drugs do NOT help with the problem, only the symptoms.

Lastly, if you've ever thought about suicide, get yourself to the doctor immediately.
DO NOT WAIT!
Suicide is often the final action of one suffering with depression.

Answer 4

I took it for about a week or two. It helped my depression just as well as Paxil, but it gave me stomach aches almost every day. I stopped taking it and my stomach aches stopped too.

You can buy it at a health food store, no prescription required. Watch out for side effects, though. Definitely don't take it in combination with an SSRI (prozac, paxil, zoloft, etc), I did and my anxiety got much worse.

Who knows, maybe it will work for you. There is another herbal supplement called Kava--I have some, but I haven't taken it enough to really have an opinion about it. It tastes a lot better than St. John's Wort, though.

Answer 5

St. john's wort is not better than a prescription. It is not a prescription medication, it is an herb/weed and therefore does not need a prescription.

It works for some people and not for others and some people are highly allergic to it!

Try Sam-E. It is over the counter... For some people, it is actually better than Prozac because it has health benefits along with its calming, centering effects.

It is also a non prescription alternative to pharmaceutical prescription medications. In Europe however... it still requires a prescription.

Answer 6

It is not a med, considered a food supplement and mostly unregulated by the Feds. I do not know it it works but if you think it will it probably will. Many blind studies done where people are told this is new med under development. It is actually a sugar pill and contains no active ingredients. And the patient improves or gets well. The power of suggestion. Prozac does work but you have to be very careful not to become addicted.

Answer 7

St. Johns Wort is a vitamin supplement. When I tried it, it gave me a very cool tingly eurphoric feeling.

It won't hurt and it is much more natural than Prozac.

Answer 8

Why don't you discuss this with your Doctor, because if you are taking any other medications St John's wort can interact with them.

Answer 9

there is a very good book on the subject, check your local library.
some people feel it's more effective than prozac and related.
no, you do not need a prescription.

Answer 10

It's an herb honey...it it has been known to be safer than Prozac. Look for it in your local health food store.There is something that you should not take along w/ SJW but I can't remember what it is...hmmm