Drug interactions
Frovatriptan + St john's wort
Severity: Moderate
Frovatriptan and St john's wort: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
St John's wort has serotonergic activity and combining it with a triptan can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Cases with triptans have been described.
What this interaction means in plain words
Frovatriptan and St john's wort can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects, as St John's wort inhibits reuptake of serotonin and other monoamines.
What to do
Advise the patient to avoid St John's wort while using frovatriptan, or monitor for serotonin syndrome if it is continued. Stop the herbal product if symptoms arise.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Frovatriptan
- Almotriptan + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Frovatriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Frovatriptan with St john's wort?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Frovatriptan and St john's wort can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. St John's wort has serotonergic activity and combining it with a triptan can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Cases with triptans have been described.
How serious is the interaction between Frovatriptan and St john's wort?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise the patient to avoid St John's wort while using frovatriptan, or monitor for serotonin syndrome if it is continued. Stop the herbal product if symptoms arise.
What other medicines interact with Frovatriptan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Frovatriptan with, for example, Almotriptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Frovatriptan page.
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