From Wake Forest: Use of St. John's Wort in Potentially Dangerous Combinations

J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Jul;20(7):578-9. doi: 10.1089/acm.2013.0216. Epub 2014 Jun 23.

Use of St. John's Wort in Potentially Dangerous Combinations.

Davis SA1, Feldman SR, Taylor SL.

Author information

• 11 Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem, NC.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess how often St. John's wort (SJW) is prescribed with medications that may interact dangerously with it. 

Design: The study design was a retrospective analysis of nationally representative data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Settings: The study setting was U.S. nonfederal outpatient physician offices. Subjects: Those prescribed SJW between 1993 and 2010 were the subjects. Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were medications co-prescribed with SJW. 

Results: Twenty-eight percent (28%) of SJW visits involved a drug that has potentially dangerous interaction with SJW. These included selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, benzodiazepines, warfarin, statins, verapamil, digoxin, and oral contraceptives. 

Conclusions: SJW is frequently used in potentially dangerous combinations. Physicians should be aware of these common interactions and warn patients appropriately.