Triptan and St John's wort

St John's wort and Triptans

The unlicensed herbal medicine St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), which is used for depression, may increase serotonin levels through weak inhibition of monoamine oxidase and also by inhibiting serotonin re-uptake

• in a joint publication, the MHRA and the Swedish Medical Products Agency suggest that, because of the pharmacodynamic interaction between St John's wort and triptans, St John's wort should not be used in patients treated with triptans (2)

Reference:

• Specialist Pharmacy Service (January 2019). Triptans and SSRI or SNRI antidepressants - is there an interaction?
• Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C et al. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002; 54: 349-356.