I've suffered depression a couple of times in the past and couldn't take antidepressants as I was on Phenytoin at the time. I've now been weened of of that drug and onto Lamictal instead. I know St John's Wort can be bought over the counter so is it safe for me to take?
2007-11-21 03:10:43 · 6 answers · asked by tattyhead65 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Sorry, I should have mentioned that Phenytoin and Lamictal are anticonvultants for epilepsy.
2007-11-21 03:26:31 · update #1
Don't ask us! Ask either 1) Your Doctor or 2) Your Pharmacist, who is going to be even more knowlegable about drug interactions than an MD.
But don't ask people here. Probably not to many Pharmacists about. You could get in trouble if some doofus says "Oh, yeah, sure, I used tons of St. John's Wort with Lamictal and didn't hurt me none."
2007-11-21 03:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
NO. You should not take over the counter anti-depressant medication whilst taking antiepileptics as it can decrease the effects. If you feel that you might be suffering from depression again the best thing to do would be to talk to your GP. Maybe ask for some cognitive behavioural therapy to look at the issues underlying the depression and help you to change the way you think about things. If they do prescribe anti-depressants for you they can at least change the dosage of your other medication if needed too. Good luck x
2007-11-21 05:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by Laura H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor. First of all, because there might be interactions--but also because why do you need the St. John's Wort?? The Lamictal should be taking care of your depression symptoms, and if it's not, you might need to up the dose or switch to another type of SSRI. So talk to your doctor.
2007-11-21 03:21:06 · answer #3 · answered by xo379 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I agree with another answerer in that you should really speak to your doctor about this and not people on Answers- relying on (often) misinformation on here can sometimes be dangerous in complex cases as your own. Only a qualified psychiatrist would be able to deal with this one.
2007-11-21 11:48:11 · answer #4 · answered by Moofunk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO.
St Johns Wort contains substances that act as SSRI's.
2007-11-21 03:18:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
phone the NHS direct helpline 0845 4647 and ask them...i dont think you can myself as they work against each other
2007-11-21 03:15:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋