Is it OK to combine St. John’s wort with a prescription medication like Zoloft?
Absolutely not! St. John’s wort may be a natural herb, but it may create dangerous interactions when taken simultaneously with another antidepressant.
As you probably know, you cannot take Zoloft with the drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil or Parnate. St. John’s wort may interact with MAOIs in the same manner as Zoloft and other SRIs (seratonin reuptake inhibitors) used to treat depression.
Although the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) does not recommend St. John’s wort at present, the herb has shown promise as an antidepressant. Enough promise that the NIMH is co-sponsoring a research study that may help determine its value. Someday, we may have enough solid evidence to add St. John’s wort to the arsenal of depression medications.
Many people who use St. John’s wort do so because of unpleasant side effects of prescription antidepressants. If you decide to try St. John’s wort, do it in consultation with your doctor and plan a transition schedule.
St. John’s wort generally is not considered appropriate for severe depression or bipolar (manic/depressive) disorder.