Drug Name:St. John's Wort
Drug Class:Herbal supplement
Mechanism of Action:Exact mechanism unknown, but believed to increase levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain
Use:
  • Mild to moderate depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Nerve pain
  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Side Effects:
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Photosensitivity
  • Restlessness
  • Sexual dysfunction
Contraindications:
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Children and adolescents
  • Use with other antidepressants
  • Use with certain medications, including birth control pills, blood thinners, and HIV medications
Specialty:
  • Psychiatry
  • Alternative medicine