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  3. / I take St. John's wort for depression. Your report notes that it can interact with other medications. Would taking it several hours apart from other meds avoid this interaction?

Our Members Asked:

I take St. John's wort for depression. Your report notes that it can interact with other medications. Would taking it several hours apart from other meds avoid this interaction?

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. cooperman.png

Initially Posted: 06/14/2016 | Last Updated: 01/15/2020

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Answer:

Unfortunately not. Unlike mineral supplements (like calcium) which compete for absorption with other minerals and should ideally be taken apart from large doses of one another, the interactions of St. John's wort are due to its effects on how drugs are metabolized after they have been absorbed, so it can still affect drugs taken hours later. In addition, St. John's wort is typically given three times each day, so there is not much time when it will not be active and potentially interfere with other drugs. 

More about the drugs with which St. John's wort can interact is found in the Concerns and Cautions section of the St. John's Wort Supplements Review.

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Roy9802
June 15, 2016

I had asked the same question, so thanks for answering this--even if it wasn't the answer I'd hoped for (it was the answer I feared would be true though).

I'm coming up on new blood tests late July for an early-August appointment with my Endocrinologist. So this will be an opportunity to see any affects SJW has on my entire blood work, which has been very consistent for a long time without SJW on board. I'll especially be interested in my cholesterol panel because statins are one SJW does interfere with.

I take only 2 SJW per day, because I'm using Enzymatic Therapy's Extra Strength (450 mg each tab). I'm taking each SJW tab about 3-4 hours after my Rx drugs an supplements, which are divided into Morning upon arising, and at bedtime (I save the SJW here until mid-morning trip to bathroom.

Will let you know about my blood test effects.
Smitty

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