Do you also use St. John's Wort? It is very important to know these things!

You've probably heard of this herb called St. John's Wort? Some people use it for things like depression, others for conditions like ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), skin conditions, and symptoms of menopause. But it's important to remember that this is not a cure, treatment, or prevention of any disease. It is considered an herbal supplement.

What are the things you should tell your doctor before taking `St. John's Wort`?

Okay, now if you're thinking about using this `St. John's Wort`, there are a few things you need to tell your doctor or pharmacist first. Because, not everything works for everyone. They need to know if you have any health conditions like these. Check out this list:

• Do you have bleeding disorders, which means your blood doesn't clot easily?
• Do you have heart disease?
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Do you have `HIV` or `AIDS`?
• Is there any weakness or problem in your body's immune system?
• Do you suffer from kidney disease?
• Do you have liver disease?
• Do you suffer from any mental illness? That means conditions like anxiety, depression, or mania.
• Have you had a stroke before?
• Have you ever had thoughts, plans, or attempts to commit suicide? Or has anyone in your family ever done so? This is a very sensitive topic, but it's important to tell your doctor .
• Have you used a medication in the group of medications called `MAOI` (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - for example, Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) in the past two weeks?
• Do you have an allergic reaction to St. John's Wort, other herbs, plants, other medicines, foods, artificial colors, or preservatives?
• Are you currently pregnant or are you hoping to become pregnant in the near future?
• Are you a breastfeeding mother?

It's very important for your own safety to talk to your doctor about these things, understand?

How should I use this medicine?

Okay, so let's see how to use this. `St. John's Wort` usually comes in the form of a pill or capsule that you take by mouth.

• When you drink this, drink it with a glass of water.
• You should read the instructions on the package carefully and follow them accordingly. Otherwise, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
• Take your medicine at the right time, in the right amount. Never take more than your doctor tells you to, right? That can cause unnecessary problems.

If you are giving this to young children, talk to your medical team about it. Special care may be needed.

If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this, do not panic and immediately call the nearest Poison Control Center or hospital emergency room. This is very important, as taking too much can be dangerous.

Remember this: This medicine is for you only. Do not give it to a friend or family member who has the same symptoms as you. Everyone's body and health are different.

What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?

Now imagine that you forgot to take your medicine once. If that happens, don't worry.

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• However, if it is very close to the time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time.
• Do not take two doses of medication at once for any reason. This increases the risk of side effects.

Does this interact with other medications? This is very important!

This is where you need to be very careful. St. John's Wort can interact with other medications. So, if you are taking any other medications, herbs, vitamins, or supplements, it is very important to tell your doctor about them.

Do not use `St. John's Wort` with these medications:

• Medications called `MAOI` (examples: Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate)
• Methylene blue, a drug injected into a vein

In addition, St. John's Wort may interact with the following medications and substances:

• Alcohol
• Amiodarone (a medicine for heart disease)
• Amphetamines (used for some mental and neurological disorders)
• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications (e.g. Diclofenac, Ibuprofen)
• `Bosentan` (a medicine for pulmonary hypertension)
• Some medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses (e.g., SSRIs such as Fluoxetine and Sertraline)
• Some medications used for migraine headaches (e.g., triptans such as almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• Cyclosporine (a medicine used to control the immune system)
• `Digoxin` (a medicine for heart disease)
• Female hormones, such as estrogens and progestins, and birth control pills - St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, so you may need to consider another method of birth control.
• `Irinotecan` (an anti-cancer drug)
• `Linezolid` (an antibiotic)
• `Lithium` (a medicine used for mental illnesses such as bipolar)
• Various medications for blood pressure and heart disease
• Medicines for HIV infection (e.g. Protease inhibitors, Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
• Sedatives during surgery
• `NSAIDs` (painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)
• `Procarbazine` (an anti-cancer drug)
• `Rasagiline` (a medicine for Parkinson's disease)
• Sirolimus, Tacrolimus (medicines to control the immune system)
• `Sunitinib` (an anti-cancer drug)
• `Theophylline` (a medicine used for respiratory diseases such as asthma)
• `Tramadol` (a painkiller)
• Tryptophan (an amino acid, sometimes taken as a supplement for sleep and mood)
• Warfarin (a medicine that prevents blood clotting) - St. John's Wort can change the way Warfarin works. This is dangerous.

This list is not complete. There may be other medications. That's why we recommend that you tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including herbal remedies, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements. Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. All of these can interact with your medications.

What else should I be careful about when using `St. John's Wort`?

When you use `St. John's Wort`, there are a few more things you need to be careful about.

• Mental Health Treatment: If you are already being treated for anxiety, depression, or another mental condition, you should only use this supplement under the advice of your doctor. This may interfere with your other treatments. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, see your doctor immediately.
• Sun sensitivity: This medicine may make your skin sensitive to the sun. This means that you may burn more easily, become red, or blister more easily. Therefore, limit your exposure to the sun during the day as much as possible. If you must go out in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin well, wear a hat, and use a good sunscreen (at least SPF 30). It is not a good idea to use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
• Surgery and Dental Treatment: If you are having any medical or dental procedures, tell your healthcare team ahead of time that you are taking St. John's Wort. They may advise you to stop taking this supplement a few days before the procedure.
• Dry mouth: Some people may experience dry mouth while taking this medication. If this happens, you can help reduce it by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free hard candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. However, if this problem persists or is severe, talk to your doctor .

Special awareness about herbal supplements

Here's another thing to keep in mind: Herbal or dietary supplements are not strictly regulated like the medications we buy at the pharmacy. That is, strict standards for quality control are not always mandatory.

• The purity and strength of these products can vary from one package to another, and from one brand to another.
• The safety and effectiveness of this dietary supplement for any specific disease has not been scientifically proven.
• These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offer consumers the following advice to protect themselves:

• Always read product labels carefully and follow the instructions exactly.
• Just because something is labeled "natural" doesn't mean it's completely safe for humans to use. Even some natural things can be harmful.
• If possible, look for products that have `USP` (United States Pharmacopeia) listed after the ingredient name. This can give you some idea of ​​the standard.
• Supplements made or sold by a trusted, nationally recognized food or pharmaceutical company are more likely to be produced under relatively strict controls.

What are the possible side effects of St. John's Wort?

Okay, now let's look at the possible side effects. Not everyone gets side effects, but some people do.

If something like this happens, you should go to your doctor or the nearest hospital as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: This can be an emergency. Symptoms include:
• Skin lesions, similar to eczema
• Itching
• Hives (large, red, swollen, itchy bumps)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (this may cause difficulty breathing)

There are also side effects that are usually not dangerous, but you should tell your doctor if they persist or bother you:

• Any change in sexual desire or sexual activity (may be a decrease or increase)
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light - As mentioned earlier, skin problems occur when exposed to sunlight.
• Stomach pain, bloating, nausea, etc.

This list may not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.

How should I store this medicine?

It is also important to store this medicine properly.

• Always keep it out of reach of children and out of their reach.
• Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, or 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Or, if the package label recommends a storage temperature, follow that.
• Protect it from moisture. That means don't keep it in damp places like the bathroom.
• Throw away any medicine that has passed its expiration date.

Note: This article provides only a brief summary of St. John's Wort. It does not contain all the details. If you have any further questions about this medicine, please talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

So, what are the take-home messages from what we've discussed?

`St. John's Wort` is an herbal supplement that some people use to help with certain mental and physical conditions. However, you should definitely talk to your doctor before using it. This is very important. Because it can react, or "interfere," with other medical conditions you have or other medications you are taking. If so, it could do more harm than good.

Not everything that says "natural" on the label is safe for everyone. Therefore, read the label carefully, follow your doctor's instructions exactly, and don't just use things that others tell you are safe.

Also, supplements like these are not miracle cures. If your symptoms don't improve, or if they get worse, see a doctor immediately. The best thing you can do is be informed and responsible when making decisions about your health. Stay healthy!

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