Posted by Cam W. on April 25, 2000, at 21:46:43
In reply to BuSpar St John's Wort? Cam W, posted by gloria on April 25, 2000, at 20:20:36
Gloria - We seldom snicker at people on this board (except maybe for bob, kazoo, medlib and a few others - don't tell them though; it just encourages them).The question you have asked is a 'very' valid one. I don't know the answer and would hesitate to guess at it, but it is a valid question, nonetheless.
Buspar mainly acts as an agonist at serotonin-1A (5HT-1A) receptors. It also act upon other receptors in a minor way. For example, at dopamine-D2 receptors, it is a mixed agonist/antagonist. Buspar affects many dopamine mediated biochemical and behavioral systems.
St.John's Wort acts as: 1) an MAOI (no thats wrong, the MAOI activity in the original trials was artifact); 2) an SSRI (well, sort of, but not really); or 3) by a mechanism we don not fully understand, yet (yup!). Then again, we really don't understand how conventional antidepressants work.
The difference between conventional antidepressants (eg Elavil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Remeron, etc) and SJW is that the conventional ADs are single chemical compounds that we know the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and pharmacodynamics (how they affect or are affected by other drugs).We can guess at interactions and side effects to a certain degree.
SJW is a plant and is full of chemical compounds, some active in depression and many inert (or are they). We really have not even catalogued all of the chemical compounds contained in SJW and are still not positive how many are relieving the symptoms of depression. Also, more significant drug interactions are being seen with SJW, almost on a weekly basis.
So, is SJW safe to take with Buspar - I don't know. I have know idea what the short term consequences, let alone the long term ones.
Maybe others on this board have tried this combination, but 'I would not' (then again, I am very conservative when it comes to very novel drug treatments that I don't understand).
Others may be able to give you some clearer insight into this combination. Sincerely - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:31270
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31279.html