Life Extension, St. John’s Wort Extract, 300 mg, 60 capsules
(LEF-00351)

St. John’s Wort (hypericin extract) is a weak inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, which may destroy dopamine in the brain and lead to low spirits.* Flavonoids, hypericin, and pseudo-hypericin are the constituents thought to be associated with the benefits of St. John’s Wort. In particular, hypericin appears to be the active ingredient.

St. John’s Wort should not be taken with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. Use caution when initiating St. John’s Wort if SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are being taken. St. John’s Wort may reduce the availability of certain prescription drugs such as the anti-HIV drug, Indinavir. St. John’s Wort may cause increased skin sensitivity to UV light. Do not take St. John’s Wort if you are taking any other prescription drugs. Note caution in reference to SSRIs above.

Adverse interactions have been reported between St. John's wort (hypericum), an herbal product used to treat depression, and two drugs: indinavir, a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV and cyclosporine, a drug used to reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection. Potentially dangerous changes in drug effects can occur when medications such as cyclosporina (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) and warfarin (Coumadin) are taken with hypericum extracts. Hypericum extracts can decrease blood levels of antiretroviral medications that are used in the treatment of HIV infection, thus making these drugs less effective. Data show that the plasma levels of the protease inhibitor indinavir (Crixivan) were reduced by more than 50% by hypericum (St. John's wort) products.*