What would happen if you take an SSRI like Lexpro with St. John's Wort?!
Question: What would happen if you take an SSRI like Lexpro with St. John's Wort.?
I looked online, and found information that this combination should be avoided... but why.? I know an SSRI should never be taken with an MAOI, but does that mean that St. John's Wort is a naturally occuring MAOI.? Or is the warnings against combining the two anything to do with seratonin syndrome.? ie: Would St. John's cause a boost in seratonin, and the SSRI prevent its reabsorbtion.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
The real worry is that taking a naturally occurring serotonin enhancer such as St. John's Wort or MOOD-care with an SSRI antidepressant can cause too much serotonin. This could lead to a manic episode in people with Bipolar Disorder or simply an excess of serotonin in previously depressed people.
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