Can I take St John's wort and Sertraline together?

Nehmen Sie kein Johanniskraut if you are already taking Sertralin.

If you are currently taking both, you should contact your GP or pharmacist immediately for advice before stopping either medication, as stopping antidepressants suddenly can also cause side effects.

Warum das passiert

Both sertraline and St John's wort work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. When used at the same time, they have an 'additive effect', pushing serotonin levels far too high.

Additionally, St John's wort can change how the liver breaks down certain medicines, which can make the levels of sertraline in your blood unpredictable.

You may be experiencing an interaction between St John's wort and sertraline if:

• You feel agitated, restless, or unusually anxious.

• You experience confusion or changes in mental state.

• You notice tremors, muscle twitching, or shaking.

• You have excessive sweating, flushing, or fever.

• You develop a fast or irregular heartbeat.

• You experience diarrhoea or nausea.

• Symptoms start soon after starting, combining, or increasing the dose of either product.

Wenn Sie eines der oben genannten Symptome haben, sollten Sie:

• Contact your GP or pharmacist immediately for advice.

• Seek urgent medical help if you develop high fever, confusion, severe agitation, or a fast heartbeat.

• Do not stop sertraline suddenly unless advised by a healthcare professional.

• Stop taking St John’s wort and inform your healthcare professional that you have been using it.

• Informieren Sie Ihren Gesundheitsdienstleister über alle anderen Medikamente und Nahrungsergänzungsmittel, die Sie einnehmen.

Serotonin-Syndrom

Do not take St John's wort and sertraline together. Combining them can cause dangerously high levels of serotonin, leading to a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms include shivering, diarrhoea, confusion, and severe muscle stiffness.

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Antidepressants like sertraline and St John's wort can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or self-harm, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment or when the dose is changed. Patients and carers should monitor for any changes in mood or behaviour and seek urgent medical help if these occur.

Erhöhtes Blutungsrisiko

Sertraline can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking other medicines that affect blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (NSAIDs), or warfarin. Seek medical advice if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding.

Drug Interactions

St John's wort makes many essential medicines less effective, including the contraceptive pill and blood thinners such as Warfarin. This can lead to unplanned pregnancy or an increased risk of blood clots.

Alkohol

It is best to avoid or strictly limit alcohol while taking these medicines. Combining alcohol with sertraline or St John's Wort can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and impair your coordination. There is also a risk that alcohol may worsen your symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Grapefruitsaft

Vermeiden Sie es, große Mengen Grapefruitsaft zu trinken. Grapefruit enthält Verbindungen, die die Sertralinspiegel in Ihrem Blut erhöhen können, was das Risiko von Nebenwirkungen erhöhen kann.

Koffein (Kaffee, Tee, Energy-Drinks)

St John's Wort can sometimes increase sensitivity to caffeine, leading to feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or a racing heart. Monitor your intake if you feel jittery.

Foods high in tyramine

While the risk is lower than with older types of antidepressants, some people taking St John's wort may experience a rise in blood pressure if they consume very large amounts of foods high in tyramine (e.g., aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented products). Use these foods in moderation.

Nehmen Sie mehrere Medikamente ein? Unser Wechselwirkungs-Checker für Medikamente hilft Ihnen zu überprüfen, ob Ihre verschreibungspflichtigen Medikamente, rezeptfreien Arzneimittel und Nahrungsergänzungsmittel sicher zusammen eingenommen werden können. Suchen Sie einfach nach Ihren Medikamenten, um mögliche Wechselwirkungen zu sehen und was Sie dagegen tun können.

Haftungsausschluss

Diese Informationen dienen nur allgemeinen Bildungszwecken und sollten nicht als Ersatz für professionelle medizinische Beratung herangezogen werden. Konsultieren Sie immer Ihren Hausarzt, Apotheker oder einen anderen qualifizierten Gesundheitsfachmann, bevor Sie Entscheidungen über Ihre Medikamente treffen. Individuelle Umstände können variieren, und nur ein Gesundheitsfachmann, der Ihre Krankengeschichte kennt, kann personalisierte Beratung bieten.