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Triptans are drugs widely taken for the treatment of migraines / headaches. These drugs are known to shrink the vessels that carry blood to your brain, and thus influence the quantum of serotonin. Such actions help relieve pains experienced in your nervous system. Rizatriptan is a commonly prescribed med in this genre. On the other hand, St. John’s wort is a plant known for its bright, star shaped and yellow flowers; it has capabilities to lessen mental conditions such as depression and anxieties.  Can you take St. John’s wort along with rizatriptan? It is important to know more on this prior to starting your treatment.

Migraines are stronger forms of headache which trigger abdominal problems such as vomiting and nausea. People who live with migraine may also become extremely sensitive to sunlight. Headaches may last for several hours to a few days. There are multiple stages associated with the onset of migraine (1) prodrome – this is prior to the onset wherein people witness severe spells of tiredness, (2) aura – this stage is related to the central nervous system and you are likely to witness eye problems, (3) attack – here, you experience a consistent spell of pain and may witness discomforts such as vomiting, and (4) postdrome – this is experienced soon after the attack in which you experience muscular pains as well as overall weakness.

What is rizatripan and what are its uses?

Rizatriptan brings about needful relief from headaches, pains, vomiting, nausea as well as hypersensitivity to sounds or light. Timely treatment of headaches with rizatriptan can lessen your dependence on other painkilling meds. This drug is mostly administered when the first signs of migraine show up. No two people living with migraines may have the same dosage strength. Your dose is dependent on severity of headache, your age, bodyweight and other ailments, if any.

It is unsafe to use rizatriptan for a longer timeframe. Use of this drug for more than 10 days every month may lead to worsening of migraines. It becomes essential to adhere to the dosage plan. Never take the doses at enhanced strength or for a longer duration i.e., without taking the consent of your doctor. Side effects of using rizatriptan include weakness, numbing sensation or extreme levels of dizziness as well as being drowsy. Most of these adverse side effects may last only for a few days. However, if you notice them for long, consult with your caregiving team as soon as you possibly can.

St. John’s wort and its ability to stabilize moods

St. John’s wort is a plant which has a few ingredients that can stabilize your moods and mental health. Its use is quite popular for treating mood-based ailments, depression and anxieties. It is also used for managing the signs of menopause among elderly women. It is available as a supplement in many countries such as US. However, owing to the risks of likely interactions, it is banned in a few nations. The standard dose of St. John’s wort is 900 milligrams (mg) within a 24-hour timeline. The typical dosage plan lasts 10 to 12 weeks, depending on your mental condition.

This natural medicine is unsafe if taken in larger quantities. A larger dose or an overdose of St. John’s wort may make you more sensitive to sunlight. Overdose may also cause skin conditions such as rashes, inflammation, itchiness or hives. Talk to your treating doctor about the safe dosage level of this natural drug. Your treating physician may recommend you to wear a sunscreen and protective garments; those who are light skinned are more vulnerable to such skin ailments.

Adverse interactions St. John’s wort triggers when taken with other meds

St. John’s wort is known to adversely interact with a wide range of drugs. Of the drugs it adversely interacts with, key meds are antidepressants of the tricycle genre, monoamine oxidase inhibiting meds (MAOI) as well as selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting drugs (SSRIs). If your medication plan includes SSRI drugs such as sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, etc., you need to tell your caregiver of the duration and doses of such plans. You are advised to be wary of antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine or nortriptyline.

Adverse side effects when St. John’ wort is taken along with rizatriptan

Intensity of side effects is likely to increase when you combine St. John’ wort with rizatriptan. A major side effect is an increase in your serotonin level; this often results in a condition called serotonin syndrome. Due to an increased availability of serotonin, you may witness dizziness, tremors or shaking, passing out, etc.

St. John’s wort is likely to cause sleeping problems such as insomnia, abdominal problems like nausea coupled with dizziness as well as restlessness. In some users, it has led to a tingling sensation on skin. Many of these discomforts and side effects disappear after a few days of use. But, if one or more of these side effects is persisting for long, talk to your doctor and take needful support.

It is not safe to take this natural med while you are pregnant. It is believed that it can cause defects in the new born infant. Hence, as an overarching safety precaution, never take this herbal supplement while you are pregnant. Women who are planning to become pregnant must use contraceptives while using St. John’s wort. Talk to your doctor to choose an apt birth control technique. Women who are breastfeeding must also stay away from this med. This is mainly because key ingredients of this drug may get into mother’s milk. New born babies who fed on such milk may develop extreme levels of sleepiness or may stay drowsy.

In sum, rizatriptan belongs to a class of meds known as triptans. It helps in the treatment of migraines or severe spells of headache and associated problems such as vomiting, nausea and being oversensitive to light. With the use of this triptan, you are unlikely to need painkillers. St. John’s wort is natural medicine; this is a plant found in many parts of Europe. Its key ingredients help stabilise moods and restore mental wellbeing. It is extensively used for treating moderate episodes of depression as well as panic attacks. St. John’s wort interacts adversely with rizatriptan. You may experience a build-up of serotonin. If you observe discomforts such as dizziness, loss of coordination and / or fainting, talk to your treating doctor on an emergency basis.