An open-label pilot study of St. John's wort in juvenile depression.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study examined the effectiveness, safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) in the treatment of youths diagnosed with major depressive disorder.


METHODS
Youths 6 to 16 years of age meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder with depressive symptoms of at least moderate severity were eligible to enroll between January 1999 and January 2001 in this 8-week, prospective, open-label, outpatient study. Outcome measures included the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. A priori criteria for response consisted of a CDRS-R score of </=28 and a CGI severity score </=2. Patients were initially prescribed 150 mg St. John's wort three times daily. If at the end of week 4 the patient did not meet a priori response criteria, the dose was increased to 300 mg three times daily.


RESULTS
Thirty-three youths with a mean (SD) age of 10.5 (2.9) years were enrolled. After 4 weeks of St. John's wort therapy, 22 youths had their dose increased to 900 mg/day. Twenty-five of the patients met response criteria after 8 weeks of treatment. Overall, St. John's wort was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
St. John's wort may be an effective treatment for youths diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Placebo controlled trials seem indicated.
Findling
Robert L
RL
Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland, USA. robert.findling@uhhs.com
McNamara
Nora K
NK
O'Riordan
Mary Ann
MA
Reed
Michael D
MD
Demeter
Christine A
CA
Branicky
Lisa A
LA
Blumer
Jeffrey L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires