BPD and Herbs

Written by Dr. Leland Heller

QUESTION:

Dr. I have Been told that saint john's wart and an anti depressant med. night cancel each other out. since they both work as an antidepressant.

What do you think of using Valerian Root for my panic attics?

Here is a list of my Meds:

• Paxil 20 mg
• Propoxy-N 100 mg
• Topamax 100 mg
• Arthrotec 50 mg
• Lipitor 10 mg
• Trazodone 100 mg

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

St. Johns Wort has been a disappointment. It's not that effective, and has tremendous drug interactions. Valerian root has many properties similar to valium, is potentially addictive, but isn't as effective. Kava Kava is highly addictive. Of all the anxiety medications, Xanax is clearly the best for panic disorder, although it is highly addictive as well.

St. Johns Wort won't "cancel out" each other, but there are potential drug interactions that can be dangerous.

In order to successfully treat panic all the diagnoses need to be successfully treated.

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