Good morning to all:
A week or so past someone queried the listserv about St.
John's wort and its interaction with PD meds.
A. Background
St. John's wort ("wort" = plant) HYPERICUM
PERFORATUM has been studied in Europe [England and
Germany] since 1994. It is an herb - named for St. John the
Baptist, who was born in late June, when the plant blooms -
prescribed for mood elevation for patients with mild
depression.
B. Use
The usual dose is 300mg three times a day. Its
therapeutic effects have been compared to the prescription
antidepressants/heterocyclics (such as Asendin or Ludiomil).
It does not start working right away . . . it takes 3-4 weeks to
accumulate an antidepressant effect.
About 3-5% of patients report side effects: mild stomach
distress, dry mouth, dizziness and itching.
St. John's wort is not considered potent enough to treat
severe depression.
C. Drug interaction
If the herb is combined with other serotonin enhancing
drugs (like selegiline - Eldepryl) there is a slight potential for
adverse reactions such as agitation, restlessness, sweating
and confusion.
This reaction is sometimes referred to as the "serotonin
syndrome," but the symptoms connected to the syndrome
are much more serious (muscle jerking, diarrhea, fever) and
appear within hours of the taking of the antidepressant drug
and the MAO-B inhibitor.
Doctors generally agree that if the recommended
dosages for St. John's wort (300mg - 3 times a day) and
Eldepryl (5mg twice a day), are combined, the adverse side
effects are unlikely to occur.
Good luck.
Stephan 53/7
