[Felicity]

I'm taking St John's Wort for depression. Does anyone know whether it is safe to use the hormonal contraceptive, Mirena, together with St John's Wort?

[Larry_Hoover]

I'll offer you my opinion on that.

St. John's wort induces (speeds up) the liver enzyme 3A4. This enzyme is the one which your body would use to deactivate the synthetic hormones (estrogens) in the oral birth control pill. Because of the increased rate of destruction, oral birth control is more likely to fail if used concurrently with SJW.

The contraceptive you're considering is a progesterone-diffusing uterine implant. It doesn't depend on systemic blood hormone levels for its effects. Therefore, I can't see that there would be any possible interaction between the two, as liver hormones are not involved in the mechanism of action of the contraceptive.

It looks safe to me.

Lar

[praxis]

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question, t I wanted to welcome you to the forum. Are you under a doctor's care? I think you should tal to a professional about it. A pharmacist would probably know even more about drug interactions than a doctor.

[praxis]

I'm glad you're online Larry. I've seen some of your other posts here. How did you become so knowlwedgable about drugs?

[Larry_Hoover]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
praxis said:
I'm glad you're online Larry. I've seen some of your other posts here. How did you become so knowlwedgable about drugs?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I'm an environmental toxicologist. Really, the training for that field is very similar to the background required for medical science. It's kind of a sideways move, rather than vertical.

I'm not a doctor, and I don't pretend to be one, but I find the science to be quite within my grasp.

Lar

[Felicity]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Larry_Hoover said:
I'll offer you my opinion on that.

St. John's wort induces (speeds up) the liver enzyme 3A4. This enzyme is the one which your body would use to deactivate the synthetic hormones (estrogens) in the oral birth control pill. Because of the increased rate of destruction, oral birth control is more likely to fail if used concurrently with SJW.

The contraceptive you're considering is a progesterone-diffusing uterine implant. It doesn't depend on systemic blood hormone levels for its effects. Therefore, I can't see that there would be any possible interaction between the two, as liver hormones are not involved in the mechanism of action of the contraceptive.

It looks safe to me.

Lar

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">


Thank you Lar! I am so impressed! It's great to get an intelligent answer so quickly.



Felicity

[Rhapsody]

While I do not know the answer to your exact question.... I wanted to share what I do know about St. Johns Wort:

This herb is a natural antidepressant, it is good for mild to moderate depression. You will have to take 300 mg three times a day to receive its full benefit. (NOTE: St. Johns Wort should NOT be taken with any SSRI medication).

Ok.... that's it my knowledge of this herb in a nut shell.... 5-HTTP is another good herb for depression (a natural Prozac).


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Felicity]

Thanks Rhapsody &amp; Praxis,

I take the liquid version as it has less side effects and does not cause high blood pressure like the tablets. I find that it does work at a lower dose, for me, by just keeping my mood not too low. I find that if I have too much it makes me go a bit manic. But that's probably just me.

Different doctors I have spoken to say different things to me. That is why I was not sure about whether it would interact with the Mirena. But, yes, my doctor does know I am taking SJW. He was just unsure about whether I could use Mirena at the same time.

Love,
Felicity