What Herbs Interact With Paxil?

Paxil, a brand-name version of paroxetine, belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Taking Paxil with herbal supplements may result in harmful interactions, including serotonin syndrome, a condition that can cause confusion, hallucinations, coma and death. Consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements with Paxil.

St. John's Wort

Paxil and the popular herbal supplement for depression, St. John's Wort, or Hypericum perforatum L., are both serotonergic agents that affect serotonin. Concomitant use of serotonergic medications like St. John's Wort and Paxil can cause too much serotonin in the brain, resulting in the potentially fatal condition serotonin syndrome. ; 2009').

5-HTP

Made from the seeds of the African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is another type of herbal supplement used to treat depression. The same is true of any dietary supplements containing the 5-HTP-related amino acid, tryptophan. MedlinePlus advises against using 5-HTP altogether -- even if you don't take antidepressants -- as some people who have taken it have developed a serious condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, or EMS.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo extract, made from the dried leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, is one of the best-selling herbal supplements in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center; however, it may also interact with Paxil and other SSRIs by increasing risk of serotonin syndrome 23.

Kava

Kava, or Piper methysticum, is an herb that may be useful in the management of anxiety; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against using kava supplements as they have been associated with cases of severe liver damage. Moreover, kava may interact with paroxetine, according to the above-mentioned 2009 "Drugs" review on herbs and prescription medication interactions. Other medications with which kava may interact include certain Parkinson's drugs and the anti-anxiety medications alprazolam and levodopa. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine also warns that using kava may cause yellow, scaly skin 5.