Psycho-Babble Medication | about biological treatments | Framed
This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | List of forums | Search | FAQ

Some research

Posted by ZeeZee on October 19, 2002, at 9:25:29

In reply to To Felipe, posted by ZeeZee on October 18, 2002, at 17:11:08

St. John's wort:
a new alternative for depression?
by
Josey ES, Tackett R
Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences,
College of Pharmacy,
University of Georgia,
Athens 30602, USA.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999 Mar; 37(3):111-9

ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this article is to review the existing literature concerning the therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and possible drug interactions of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) as compared to other antidepressant medications. METHODS: Reference material was obtained through database searches with time restrictions of 1985 to the present. Studies selected were those written in the English language which compared the role of St. John's wort, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression. Other studies were selected based on their evaluation of the safety and efficacy of St. John's wort as an antidepressant for a minimum of four weeks. RESULTS: A review of existing literature recognized nine clinical trials that reported the efficacy of St. John's wort as compared to placebo and to other antidepressant medications. Of these nine, four controlled studies were chosen based upon their large patient populations and their consistency in brand and dosage of St. John's wort used. These four studies demonstrated that St. John's wort was as effective as other antidepressant medications and more effective than placebo, as the clinical symptoms of depression greatly decreased upon administration of H. perforatum. The side-effect profile of H. perforatum at this time appears to be superior to any current U.S.-approved antidepressant medication. CONCLUSIONS: From the existing literature, St. John's wort appears to be a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of depression. Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can produce serious cardiac side-effects, such as tachycardia and postural hypotension, and many unwanted anticholinergic side-effects, including dry mouth and constipation. St. John's wort has proven to be free of any cardiac, as well as anticholinergic, side-effects normally seen with antidepressant medications. Based upon limited studies, St. John's wort appears to be an acceptable alternative to traditional antidepressant therapy, although trials on a larger scale are warranted in this area. Hypericum is available to the lay public as an over-the-counter preparation and may be misused if not fully understood.

SAMe
Cannabis
Kava-kava
Hyperforin
Herbal highs
St John's wort
St John's wort: why?
St John's wort and OCD
St John's wort for depression
St John's wort: meta-analysis
St John's wort as an antidepressant
St John's wort and elderly depressives
St John's wort: a smart antidepressant?

Refs
HOME
HedWeb
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
Paradise-Engineering
The Hedonistic Imperative
When Is It Best To Take Crack Cocaine?

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family


Share
Tweet  

Thread

 

Post a new follow-up

Your message only Include above post


[124238]

Notify the administrators

They will then review this post with the posting guidelines in mind.

To contact them about something other than this post, please use this form instead.

 

Start a new thread

 
Google
dr-bob.org www
Search options and examples
[amazon] for
in

This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | FAQ
Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:ZeeZee thread:123968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124238.html