Careful With St. John's Wort

If you're taking St. John's wort -- arguably one of the most effective supplements on the market, be very careful if you're also taking medication. Millions of people take it to treat depression and other ailments, but two separate studies show it can have serious side effects when taken with prescription medication and even some foods or alcohol.

One study, presented by the University of Missouri at Kansas to the annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, says 84 percent of people taking St. John's wort found it beneficial but 47 percent experienced side effects and one person ended up in the emergency room.

Investigators at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy say St. John's wort increases the activity of a specific metabolic pathway that in turn increases metabolism rates for prescription drugs such as oral contraceptives, anti-infection therapies and heart medications. For these drugs, increases in metabolism can render them ineffective.

The researchers say consumers need to remember prescription drugs contain mixtures of many chemicals and most were derived originally from plants and other natural sources. They recommend consulting your physician and using as much care when taking a supplement as when taking a prescription medication.

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