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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Stopping St. John's Wort
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Stopping St. John's Wort
by dar858, Aug 31, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Sirs;
I am a 38 year old who has been taking 2000mg of St. John's wort (GNC concentrated brand) for the past 10 months. This has helped my depression, however, I think it may also cause the chronic headache that I have. Does anyone know how long St. John's wort can remain in the body?
I am afraid of taking a prescribed pain medication like Tramadol, and having Serotonin Syndrome.Three years ago I had been taking only 300mg of St. John's wort, and after stopping for approx 6 weeks I was put on Paxil and experienced Serotonin Syndrome after only 1.5 doses. Needless-to-say I never want that to happen again.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I am a 38 year old who has been taking 2000mg of St. John's wort (GNC concentrated brand) for the past 10 months. This has helped my depression, however, I think it may also cause the chronic headache that I have. Does anyone know how long St. John's wort can remain in the body?
I am afraid of taking a prescribed pain medication like Tramadol, and having Serotonin Syndrome.Three years ago I had been taking only 300mg of St. John's wort, and after stopping for approx 6 weeks I was put on Paxil and experienced Serotonin Syndrome after only 1.5 doses. Needless-to-say I never want that to happen again.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 02, 2002 12:00AM
, Sep 02, 2002 12:00AM
Headaches is the major side effect of st. john's wart. The dose you are taking is already twice the maximum dose, so be very careful. The active ingredients effect the serotonin system, so I would guess that you have to taper down over a two to three week period to avoid any rebound effect. That is only a guess. YOu should see doctor about this since you have been so sensitive to serotonin changes in the past.
