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

No tome Hierba de San Juan if you are already taking sertralina.

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.

Por qué sucede esto

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.

Si tienes alguno de los síntomas mencionados, deberías:

• 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.

• Informe a su profesional de la salud sobre todos los demás medicamentos y suplementos que está tomando.

Síndrome serotoninérgico

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 síndrome serotoninérgico. Symptoms include shivering, diarrhoea, confusion, and severe muscle stiffness.

Pensamientos suicidas y autolesiones

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.

Aumento del riesgo de sangrado

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 warfarina. This can lead to unplanned pregnancy or an increased risk of blood clots.

Alcohol

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.

Jugo de toronja

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice. Grapefruit contains compounds that can increase the levels of sertraline in your blood, which may increase the risk of side effects.

Cafeína (Café, Té, Bebidas Energéticas)

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.

¿Tomas múltiples medicamentos? Nuestro Verificador de Interacciones de Medicamentos te ayuda a verificar si tus recetas, medicamentos de venta libre y suplementos son seguros para tomar juntos. Simplemente busca tus medicamentos para ver posibles interacciones y qué hacer al respecto.

Descargo de responsabilidad

Esta información es solo para fines educativos generales y no debe considerarse como un sustituto del consejo médico profesional. Siempre consulte a su médico de cabecera, farmacéutico u otro profesional de la salud calificado antes de tomar decisiones sobre sus medicamentos. Las circunstancias individuales pueden variar, y solo un profesional de la salud que conozca su historial médico puede proporcionar orientación personalizada.