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St. John's Wort vs. Common Prescription Medications

Further reading: comparative-effectiveness studies between St. John's Wort extracts and standard antidepressants.

These studies examine how St. John's Wort measures up against widely prescribed drugs. The hypericum extract WS 5570 has shown non-inferiority to paroxetine; other trials compared the herb with fluoxetine and placebo in major depression, looked at safety and efficacy in younger patients, and tracked outcomes for mild-to-moderate depressive episodes.

Key studies

  1. Szegedi, A., et al. (2005). British Medical Journal, 330(7974):759.
  2. Fava, M., et al. (2005). Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 25(5):441–447.
  3. Seelinger, G. & Mannel, M. (2007). Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 12(3):143–149.
  4. Fegert, J. M., et al. (2006). Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 16(1–2):197–206.
  5. Friede, M., et al. (2001). Pharmacopsychiatry, 31(1):S38–41.
Medical disclaimer: This site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. St. John's Wort can interact with many medications. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.