St John’s wort is at least as effective as paroxetine in reducing severity of depression and is better toleratedAcute treatment of moderate to severe depression with hypericum extract WS 5570 St Johns wort: randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine.

Ernst, Professor Edzard MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPEd (commentator)
Szegedi, A
Kohnen, R
Dienel, A
et al,

Director of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth, UK

Szegedi A, Kohnen R, Dienel A, et al. Acute treatment of moderate to severe depression with hypericum extract WS 5570 (St John’s wort): randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine. BMJ 2005; 330: 503.SzegediAKohnenRDienelAet alAcute treatment of moderate to severe depression with hypericum extract WS 5570 St Johns wort: randomised controlled double blind non-inferiority trial versus paroxetine.BMJ2005330503Q Is St John’s wort as effective as paroxetine in people with moderate to severe depression?

For correspondence: M Kieser, Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, PO Box 410925, 76209 Karlsruhe, Germany; [email protected]

Source of funding: Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of St John’s wort (WS 5570).

Evidence-Based Mental Health 8(4):p 107, November 2005.