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St. John's Wort

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Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The flowers of St. John's wort contain its biologically active components hypericin and hyperforin.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

The claimed effect of St. John's wort

Serious scientific data confirm the usefulness of using St. John's wort for treatment of patients with depression of both small and medium severity and without suicidal syndrome. The mechanism is unknown, but St. John's wort can increase the concentration of serotonin in the CNS and, at very high doses, act as an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase.

The dose is an intake of 300-600 mg orally once a day of a drug standardized to 0.2 to 0.3% hypericin, to 1-4% hyperforin or to both (usually).

St. John's Wort is believed to be useful in the treatment of HIV infection, but there is evidence of adverse drug interactions with protease inhibitors and reversibly acting transcriptase inhibitors.

Adverse effects of St. John's wort

Photosensitivity, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, confusion and mania may occur (in patients with bipolar disorder).

For a drug, pregnancy is a contraindication. Possible adverse effects may be the interaction of the drug with cyclosporine, digoxin, iron supplements, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, reversible transcriptase inhibitors, oral contraceptives, protease inhibitors, selective serotonin inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and warfarin.

trusted-source[7], [8], [9], [10]

Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "St. John's Wort" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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