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550739 tn?1224163372

XANAX and ST JOHN's wort

Has anyone taken xanax and st johns wort together?
13 Responses
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550739 tn?1224163372
you all are great. I just am so nervous about what to do for me.
I was perscribed paxil two months ago for my anxiety and of course I cannot get myself to take it.
I do take the xanac but then I bought st johns wort last night and leaning towards that.
I hate making these decisions.

UGGHHHH
Helpful - 0
534105 tn?1226157177
I have been taken Saint John's Wort for two months and it has made my depression dissappear. I have taken one capsule of 300mg daily. If you increase to 600-900mg maybe you can have insomnia, but you have to test on your own.. But for anxiety, I would add some Niacinamide (500mg daily), magnesium 300-600mg daily, depends upon your reaction. Start at low dosage and increase slowly.
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Avatar universal
This is what I pulled up on a drug/herbal interaction checker from Drug Digest.  I've also heard this; that your medication may not work as effectively while taking St. John's Wort due to what happens in the liver.

St. John's Wort may increase the production of enzymes that break down alprazolam (Xanax). If this occurs, blood levels of alprazolam could be decreased which could cause a decrease in effectiveness of alprazolam.
Helpful - 0
358304 tn?1409709492
all Doctors will tell you St. Johns Wart is bunk. B/c they want you to take their medicines. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying something natural... and if it doesnt work.. then get some help from  your Dr.

Don't mix St. Johns Wart with anything though.
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Avatar universal
St.John's Wort is much more commonly used in Europe and has similar properties as SSRI meds (meaning it may or may not work for you) but it is without all of the nasty side-effects SSRI medications produce. To me, taking St.John's Wort is of little risk--either it will help you out or it will do nothing (although it may make you a little tired).

Check with your doctor before taking it, but don't let the FDA propaganda machine scare you away from supplements.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is that not the one they removed from chemist shelves? Used to be just able to buy it as you could a packet of sweets. Now you can't. Over here anyway. So it must have something in it.
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505916 tn?1248792942
I think St John's Wort only works for mild depression/anxiety. It's like 5-HTP.
Helpful - 0
447939 tn?1235061943
does st johns wort actually work? i have heard of it but never tried it. are there any side effects
Helpful - 0
550739 tn?1224163372
Thanks everyone I appreciate the feedback
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Got to love their disclaimer. It has been proved on animals, so we imagine it would have the same effect on humans.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I personally wouldn't take any prescription medication concomitantly with any herbal supplement.  Herbal supplements are rarely, if ever, tested by the FDA for interactions with other meds or on their own for that matter.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Easy to google this one and the answer says - Taking ST. JOHN'S WORT and any of the medicines listed may result in return of symptoms which were controlled by the medicine.

So it may bring on anxiety, which you were given xanax to treat.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sure. There aren't any known interactions. You may feel fatigued at first while your body adjusts.
Helpful - 0
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