Diabetes, st johns wort and anti depressants

[KimWheeler]

I'm wondering about using St John's Wort as an anti depressant. I've been told you can't use it in the UK if you have diabetes. But it's one of the main drugs in Germany so diabetics will be using it. Is it just a sales pitch by drug companies to make you have their medication.
I'll use it whilst testing to see what my BG affects.

 

[GrantGam]

I'm wondering about using St John's Wort as an anti depressant. I've been told you can't use it in the UK if you have diabetes. But it's one of the main drugs in Germany so diabetics will be using it. Is it just a sales pitch by drug companies to make you have their medication.
I'll use it whilst testing to see what my BG affects.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/st-johns-wort-contraindications.85326/

 

[frankbegbie]

So would it be ok to use if you're not taking any Diabetic drugs?

 

[KimWheeler]

Yes it's ok except with a few exceptions listed on the drug contraindications websote

 

[KimWheeler]

Spoken with my pharmacist. It's not on the sitagliptin contraindications list. But as it uses the liver and diabetes meds uses the liver it may put a strain on that organ. Anti depressants use a different pathway.