Ingredient: the big medicine caution
St. John's Wort in MemoPryl: Drug Interaction Risks
St. John's wort is one of six names tied to MemoPryl on a sibling pack, and it is unconfirmed for your bottle. It is an herb studied for low mood, not memory. It weakens many prescription medicines and can add to serotonin syndrome. Stay on prescribed medicine and check with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin.
By the MemoPryl label deskUpdated
The basics01
What is St. John's wort in MemoPryl?
St. John's wort is a flowering herb, Hypericum perforatum, and it is one of six ingredient names tied to MemoPryl. The name comes from a sibling pack in the same listing family. Nothing confirms it for the bottle that arrives.
No Supplement Facts panel is printed on any image we have, so the amount is not printed either. The two bottle images disagree on capsule count (30 or 60). Your bottle is the source of truth.
People know this herb as a remedy for low mood, not memory. That is why this profile leads with safety.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin any capsule that lists St. John's wort. Do not stop or change a prescription on your own to make room for a supplement.
| Name as the seller lists it | St. John's Wort |
|---|---|
| What it is | A flowering herb (Hypericum perforatum), researched mostly for low mood |
| On the bottle? | Unconfirmed: listed in the seller's notes for a sibling pack; we were given no Supplement Facts panel |
| Amount per capsule | Not printed (no Supplement Facts panel supplied) |
| Amount used in research | Researched as a remedy for depression, not as a memory ingredient |
| Strength of evidence | No memory benefit has been shown; NCCIH says it is not consistently effective even for depression |
| Marketed use | Sold for mood |
| Main caution | Can make many medicines work less well (antidepressants, birth control pills, warfarin, transplant, HIV and heart drugs), and with some antidepressants it can cause serotonin syndrome. |
Medicines02
Which medicines does St. John's wort interact with?
St. John's wort can weaken many medicines, including some that matter a great deal. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health calls out antidepressants, birth control pills, warfarin and several others (NCCIH, St. John's Wort safety).
It changes how the body clears certain drugs, so a medicine you rely on may work less well without any warning.
The table comes from public sources and is not complete. Show your pharmacist the bottle and every medicine you use.
| Medicine group | Examples named | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Antidepressants | Amitriptyline, bupropion, SSRIs | Weaker effect, and a risk of serotonin syndrome |
| Birth control pills | Combined oral contraceptives | May work less well |
| Blood thinners | Warfarin | Clot protection may drop |
| Transplant drugs | Cyclosporine, tacrolimus | Levels may fall |
| HIV and cancer drugs | Some of each | Treatment may weaken |
| Heart medicines | Digoxin, some others | Effect may change |
| Seizure drugs and statins | Some of each | Levels may change |
Natural does not mean safe (NCCIH, Using Supplements Wisely).
Serious risk03
Can St. John's wort cause serotonin syndrome?
Yes, it can contribute to serotonin syndrome when combined with some antidepressants or other medicines that raise serotonin. NCCIH describes a potentially life-threatening rise in serotonin with certain antidepressants (NCCIH, St. John's Wort in depth).
MedlinePlus explains that the syndrome usually appears when two or more serotonin-affecting medicines are taken together. The risk is higher when you first start a medicine or raise a dose. Symptoms can begin within minutes to hours, and untreated it can be deadly (MedlinePlus, Serotonin syndrome).
Agitation, diarrhea, a fast heartbeat, hallucinations, a high body temperature or muscle twitching. Call your provider or emergency services right away, and do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
- Tell your pharmacist about triptans, SSRIs, SNRIs and any other mood or migraine medicine.
Evidence04
Does St. John's wort help memory?
No study we cite shows that St. John's wort improves memory. It has been studied as a remedy for depression, and even there the results are mixed.
NCCIH reports a 2002 study of 340 people with moderate major depression that found no benefit over a placebo. A 2008 review of 29 studies found it may beat placebo for mild to moderate depression. NCCIH sums it up as not consistently effective (NCCIH, St. John's Wort in depth).
If low mood is behind your memory worries, a doctor can look at that directly.
No trial of MemoPryl itself exists.
Everyday effects05
What are the side effects of St. John's wort?
Common side effects are headache, nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, stomach upset and more sensitivity to the sun (MSK, St. John's Wort). Large oral doses may cause severe skin reactions after sun exposure (NCCIH, St. John's Wort safety).
NCCIH says it may be unsafe in pregnancy because it may raise the risk of birth defects, and According to MSK, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take it (NCCIH, St. John's Wort safety) (MSK, St. John's Wort).
What we can say
- Its main risks are written down by NIH and MSK.
What worries us
- It is in a memory capsule with no amount printed.
- It touches many common medicines.
- No memory benefit is shown.
MemoPryl: capsules in 2, 3 or 6 bottlesRead the bottle · check medicines first · 60-day window (confirm)
See packsBefore a procedure06
Should I stop St. John's wort before surgery?
Tell your surgeon and pharmacist about it well ahead of time. MSK says it should be stopped at least one week before surgery or chemotherapy (MSK, St. John's Wort).
FDA adds that a clinician may ask you to stop supplements two to three weeks before a procedure, to avoid changes in heart rate, blood pressure or bleeding (FDA, Mixing Meds and Supplements). Follow the timing your own team gives you.
Never stop a prescribed medicine to prepare. Only the prescriber should change those.
- List every prescription, herb and capsule you use.
- Show the bottle to the pharmacist.
- Ask for a stop date in writing.
Your check07
Who should skip a capsule with St. John's wort?
Skip it, or ask first, if you take any prescription medicine, are pregnant or nursing, have a surgery date or live with a medical condition.
Report a bad reaction. FDA says to stop using the product at once for a serious reaction and to report it at its Safety Reporting Portal (FDA, Report a Supplement Problem).
Keep reading08
Where do I find the other five ingredients?
The other five names are phosphatidylserine, ginkgo biloba, N-acetyl L-carnitine, bacopa and L-glutamine. Ginkgo carries the second interaction warning, about bleeding.
The medicine interaction guide and the side effects guide show how the six fit together. The ingredient overview lists them side by side.
FAQ09
St. John's wort questions
Is St. John's wort in MemoPryl?
St. John's wort is named on a sibling MemoPryl pack, but that is unconfirmed for your bottle. No image we have shows a Supplement Facts panel, so the amount is not printed. Check the ingredient list on the bottle that arrives.
Can I take St. John's wort with antidepressants?
Usually not without medical advice. It can weaken some antidepressants and add to a serotonin rise that may become serotonin syndrome. Keep taking your prescription and ask your doctor or pharmacist before any capsule that contains it.
Does St. John's wort affect birth control pills?
Yes, NCCIH lists birth control pills among medicines it can weaken. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about backup protection before you start, and do not stop your pill on your own.
What are the signs of serotonin syndrome?
Agitation, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, hallucinations and a high body temperature can appear within minutes to hours. Contact your provider or emergency services right away, and do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Can I take St. John's wort while pregnant or nursing?
No. NCCIH says it may raise the risk of birth defects, and MSK advises pregnant or breastfeeding women not to take it. Ask your doctor about any supplement during pregnancy.
Why would a memory capsule contain a mood herb?
The seller's notes do not say why. The herb is studied for low mood, not memory. A bottle that lists it should come with a talk with your pharmacist about your medicines first.
Who wrote this10
Written and reviewed by
Each page draws on the bottle images, the seller's product notes and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by MemoPryl USA retail, not by the manufacturer or the distributor of the bottle. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
Related MemoPryl reading
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