Safety of Hypericum extract in mildly to moderately depressed outpatients: a review based on data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Hypericum extracts have been regarded as antidepressant drugs without specific side effects by patients, medical professionals and researchers alike. Recently there has been discussion about potential interactions between St. John's wort and other drugs.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the tolerability of Hypericum extract by comparing adverse event rates observed during clinical trials with the herbal drug to those observed under placebo and synthetic antidepressants.


METHODS
A data review was performed based on the original data of three double-blind, randomised multicenter trials, during which 594 out-patients suffering from mild to moderate depression according to DSM-IV criteria received 3 x 300 mg/day Hypericum extract (WS 5570, WS 5572, WS 5573) or placebo over a double-blind treatment period of 6 weeks. For the polled data from the three trials, the risk ratios and risk differences versus placebo for single and grouped adverse events were determined along with their 95% confidence intervals. The data were inspected for relevant differences between Hypericum extract and placebo and were compared to trials involving the administration of several synthetic antidepressants.


RESULTS
For the polled data of the three trials, the percentage of patients with any adverse events under Hypericum extract exposition was comparable to placebo. The drug was also found to be devoid of effects of sedation, anticholinergic reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances and sexual dysfunction often found in patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis did not reveal any specific effects of Hypericum extract.
Psychosomatische Klinik GmbH and Co., Schützenstrasse 16, 86949 Windach, Germany.
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RD
Trautmann-Sponsel
Angelika
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Dienel
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010696:Phloroglucinol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012306:Risk; D013729:Terpenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; D010696:Phloroglucinol; C001654:hyperforin