April 10, 2000 – Health Canada is warning healthcare professionals and consumers that there is a risk of drug interactions when certain prescription drugs are taken in combination with St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
A recent clinical trial, reported by the Lancet medical publication, showed that St. John’s Wort, given in combination with indinavir, a protease inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV infection, significantly reduced the presence of this protease inhibitor in the bloodstream. Due to this decrease, the drug becomes much less effective and may promote the development of viral resistance to the drug.
Since many other AIDS drugs are metabolized in the same way as indinavir, a potential for interaction with these should also be considered. For this reason, patients who are currently taking St. John’s Wort together with an antiretroviral drug are strongly encouraged to consult their treating physician.
Other data indicate that St. John’s Wort may also affect the metabolism of a range of prescription drugs, including anti-epileptic agents, oral contraceptives, immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine, antidepressants and blood thinners. In some cases, consumption of St. John’s Wort by organ transplant patients has been associated with acute rejection of the transplanted organ as well as decreased levels of cyclosporine in the bloodstream. , below the therapeutic margin.
Consumers are further cautioned that when combined with other conventional antidepressants, St. head and restlessness.
However, it should be noted that no significant health risk has been demonstrated when St. John’s Wort is taken alone.
HealthPassport.net
Source: Health Canada
