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. Drugs.com. Accessed May 15, 2023 at https://www.drugs.com/mtm/st-john-s-wort.html
Read next
Related medical questions
- SSRI’s vs SNRI’s - What's the difference between them?
- How long does Xanax last for / stay in your system?
- How long do venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms last?
- Klonopin vs Xanax - How are they different?
- Why does Lexapro cause weight gain?
- Lorazepam vs Xanax: What is the difference?
- Can I stop taking Wellbutrin suddenly or should I taper off?
- How long does Zoloft (sertraline) take to work?
- Lexapro vs Zoloft: How do they compare?
- When is the best time to take Lexapro?
- How long does it take for Lexapro to work?
- How long for an increased dose of Zoloft to work?
- Why should you take aripiprazole in the morning?
- Does Adderall help with anxiety and depression?
- Prozac vs Zoloft - What are the Differences & Similarities?
- Modafinil: Smart Drug For Decision Fatigue Or Workaholic Crutch?
- Does Abilify cause weight gain?
- How long does it take for Cymbalta to work?
- What do Cymbalta brain zaps feel like?
- What is bromazepam used for?
- Does Lexapro cause night sweats?
- Vraylar vs Abilify - How do they compare?
- How long does it take for Prozac to work?
- Shall I take Trintellix (vortioxetine) in the night or morning?
- Does Remeron help with sleep?
- Does Auvelity work better than Wellbutrin?
- What is agomelatine used for?
- Auvelity vs. Wellbutrin: Effectiveness for Depression?
- Does Valerian Root interact with any drugs?
- Can I take Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Trintellix (vortioxetine) together?
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)
Related support groups
- St. John's Wort (7 questions, 27 members)
- Depression (2,188 questions, 8,722 members)