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Talking to patients about St. John's wort.
Rashmi Deshmukh1, Kathleen Franco
1Department of Psychiatry, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
|December 3, 2003
Summary
St. John's wort is an unregulated herbal supplement for depression that can cause harmful side effects and drug interactions. Healthcare providers should discuss its use openly with patients to ensure safe self-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- St. John's wort is a popular herbal remedy for depression.
- Its use as a self-treatment for mood disorders is widespread.
- The herbal supplement is not regulated by the FDA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential risks associated with St. John's wort.
- To inform healthcare providers about the importance of discussing herbal supplement use with patients.
- To emphasize the need for nonjudgmental communication regarding self-treatment options.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on St. John's wort.
- Analysis of reported side effects and drug interactions.
- Clinical recommendations for physician-patient communication.
Main Results:
- St. John's wort can lead to significant adverse effects.
- Interactions with prescription medications are a serious concern.
- Patient disclosure of herbal supplement use is often limited.
Conclusions:
- Physicians must proactively inquire about St. John's wort use.
- Open dialogue about herbal remedies is crucial for patient safety.
- Nonjudgmental counseling can improve adherence and health outcomes.