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" Question I want to know if it is safe to start taking St John&amp;#039;s wort whilst still taking Prozac.  I am coming off the Prozac slowly and I feel fine now, but I want to start on the St Johns wort to build myself up for the winter, when I am most prone to depression.  I am hoping to gradually come off the Prozac altogether and take St John wort instead.  What do you think?   Answer There is good evidence that St John&amp;#039;s wort (SJW) is as effective as conventional antidepressants  in the treatment of mild and moderate depression.  It is probably not as effective in the treatment of severe depression.  As with all chemical agents that have effects on our bodies and brains, there are side effects and cautions to bear in mind.  I would advise you not to take the SJW and the Prozac (fluoxetine) together as the combination can make Prozac&amp;#039;s side-effects worse, or cause them when there haven&amp;#039;t been any before.  Prozac takes a while to clear from your system so it is advisable to leave at least a two-week gap between the two. Your medical details state that you take Femodene.  There is a known risk that SJW reduces the blood levels of oral contraceptives, with a risk of unintended pregnancy and breakthrough bleeding.  In fact, the Committee on Safety of Medicines has advised that SJW and oral contraceptives should not be taken at the same time.  It would be a good idea to let your GP know of your plans and consider whether to use another method of contraception. There are also psychological approaches that can help just as much as antidepressants, both in the treatment of depression, and in avoiding recurrences.  You might wish to talk over this possibility with your doctor. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team   Other Qs &amp;amp; As Advice on antidepressants Advice on St John&amp;#039;s wort Antidepressants and decrease of sex drive Antidepressants during pregnancy Antidepressants or counselling? Antidepressant side effects Are my antidepressants making me put on weight? Can I mix alcohol with Seroxat? Can I take St John&amp;#039;s wort while breastfeeding? Cipramil during conception and pregnancy - is it safe? Cipramil is affecting my emotions Cipramil&amp;#039;s side effects Constituents and side effects of amitriptyline Different anti-depressants Do antidepressant tablets affect my contraceptive pill? Do I need antidepressants for PMS? How do I come off Seroxat? How do I help my friend come off Prozac? I can&amp;#039;t bear the side effects of this anti-psychotic drug I had difficulties in stopping taking Seroxat I have been on antidepressants after an abortion I&amp;#039;m confused about the different alcohol warnings on antidepressants I&amp;#039;m worried about taking amitriptyline hydrochloride Is it ok to drink while on Prozac? Is it ok to stop my lithium? Is it safe to take Ecstasy, cocaine and Prozac? Is my weight gain due to lithium therapy? Is my wife&amp;#039;s aggression due to Seroxat or Depo-Provera? Is Prozac safe to take in the long term? Does it cause cancer? Is Prozac safe to take long-term? Is St John&amp;#039;s wort an alternative to drugs? Is St John&amp;#039;s Wort safe? Is there an alternative to St John&amp;#039;s wort? Is there an anti-depressant that could change the way I think? I&amp;#039;ve run out of sertraline - can I take my mum&amp;#039;s fluoxetine? Low libido and Citalopram Medicines for depression My antidepressants make me gain weight and seemed to have stopped working Paroxetine Seroxat Seroxat Seroxat and alcohol Seroxat and sexual performance Sertraline side effects Severe depression- what&amp;#039;s the best treatment option? St John&amp;#039;s wort St John&amp;#039;s wort St John&amp;#039;s wort and the Pill St John&amp;#039;s wort with other antidepressants Stopping taking antidepressants Sunbeds and Prozac Tell me about carbamazepine Tell me about Clonazepam Tell me about the different types of antidepressant Trileptal for depression? Two years on antidepressants Understanding different therapies Using St John&amp;#039;s Wort during pregnancy What alternative remedies for SAD are available? Will Cipramil affect the Pill? Will St John&amp;#039;s wort stop mycrogynon from working?   Last updated 06.12.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/depression/a508/combining-prozac-with-st-johns-wort/>