Can I take St John's wort and Vitamin C together?

Perché succede

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) are processed by the body through different pathways. Vitamin C is water-soluble and does not interfere with the liver enzymes (specifically the CYP450 system) that St John's Wort is known to affect. Furthermore, they do not have overlapping effects on the body's systems that would cause a conflict.

You can continue to take both supplements as directed. However, always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all supplements you are taking, as St John's Wort interacts with many prescription medicines, such as the contraceptive pill, blood thinners, and antidepressants.

Depression and Mental Health

Like other antidepressants, St John's wort may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or self-harm, particularly when first starting treatment. Seek immediate medical help if your mood worsens.

Drug Interactions

St John's wort significantly reduces the effectiveness of many essential medicines, including the contraceptive pill, blood thinners (warfarin), epilepsy medications, and organ transplant drugs. Do not start it without a pharmacist checking your current medications.

Sindrome serotoninergica

Taking St John's wort with other antidepressants or triptans (for migraine) can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition involving high fever, agitation, and muscle rigidity.

Photosensitivity

St John's wort can make your skin significantly more sensitive to sunlight, leading to severe sunburn or skin reactions even with limited exposure.

Kidney stones (renal calculi)

High doses of vitamin C can increase the amount of oxalate in your urine, which significantly raises the risk of developing kidney stones, especially if you have had them before.

deficit di G6PD

Very high doses of vitamin C can cause oxidative stress and lead to the breakdown of red blood cells (haemolysis) in individuals with G6PD deficiency.

Alcol

It is best to avoid or strictly limit alcohol while taking St John's wort. Combining the two can increase drowsiness and dizziness, and may worsen the side effects of the herbal remedy.

Caffeina (Caffè, Tè, Bevande Energetiche)

St John's wort can sometimes increase sensitivity to caffeine, leading to feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or a racing heart. Monitor your intake if you feel jittery.

Foods high in Tyramine (e.g., aged cheeses, cured meats, soy sauce, marmite, overripe fruit)

While less common than with older prescription antidepressants, St John's wort can potentially interact with tyramine-rich foods, leading to a sudden, dangerous increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). You should consume these foods in moderation.

Assumi più farmaci? Il nostro Controllo Interazioni Farmaci ti aiuta a verificare se le tue prescrizioni, i farmaci da banco e gli integratori sono sicuri da assumere insieme. Basta cercare i tuoi farmaci per vedere le potenziali interazioni e cosa fare al riguardo.

Avvertenza

Queste informazioni sono solo a scopo educativo generale e non devono essere considerate un sostituto del consiglio medico professionale. Consultate sempre il vostro medico di base, farmacista o un altro professionista sanitario qualificato prima di prendere decisioni sui vostri farmaci. Le circostanze individuali possono variare, e solo un professionista sanitario che conosce la vostra storia medica può fornire una guida personalizzata.