Black cohosh is a shrub native to the eastern deciduous forests of North America, from southern Ontario to Georgia, and west to Arkansas. The dried root and rhizome are used as herbal medicine, traditionally for gynecological symptoms. Celexa is the brand name of the drug citalopram, an antidepressant related to Prozac. Herbal treatments don't undergo Food and Drug Administration review so you should always talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh was traditionally used to treat hot flashes, premenstrual discomfort and dysmenorrhea as well as sciatica and rheumatism, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Black cohosh supplements are available in capsules and in a tincture. Cohosh is an Algonquin word used to refer to a variety of medicinal herbs from different families. It is important to distinguish between the varieties. Blue cohosh is not from the same family as black cohosh, for instance, and is not used to treat the same conditions.
Considerations
Because black cohosh affects the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, it can decrease response to estrogen. It is used to treat symptoms of menopause, and research indicates that black cohosh might be more effective if it is combined with St. John's wort, according to Dr. Dennis McKenna of the University of Minnesota. The herb contains phytosterin, salicylic acid, tannins and triterpine glycosides, which are the active compounds in black cohosh.
Celexa (Citalopram)
Celexa is an antidepressant that's similar to Prozac. It's a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor with limited side effects, making it easier to tolerate and safer to take than earlier antidepressants, according to Alexis Bergen, author "Better Living Through Chemistry," an article in the USC Health Magazine. It has less potential to interact with other drugs or supplements, making it safer for seniors and others who often take many prescribed medications.
Black Cohosh Drug Interactions
No evidence shows that black cohosh interacts negatively with Celexa or other prescribed medications, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Studies on drug interactions have shown that black cohosh might increase the effectiveness of some anticancer drugs, according to Mary L. Predny, author of "Black Cohosh: An Annotated Bibliography."
Avoid taking black cohosh during pregnancy and lactation and don't take it for longer than six months. If you have high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease, talk to your doctor before taking black cohosh. If black cohosh does have estrogenic activity, it is probably prudent not to take black cohosh if you have hormone-related breast cancer.
Celexa Herb Interactions
While Celexa does not interact negatively with black cohosh, it does interact with other herbs. 5HTP and L-tryptophan are converted to serotonin in the brain. Celexa increases serotonin activity in the brain, and taking them together may cause an adverse interaction, such as headache, sweating, dizziness, agitation, restlessness, nausea and vomiting. 5-HTP and L-tryptophan should never be taken while you are taking Celexa without your doctor's close supervision. On the other hand, ginkgo may reduce the side effects of Celexa, especially its effects on libido.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Possible Interactions With: Black Cohosh
- University of Michigan Health System: Selected Herb-Drug Interactions
- 10 Top Best Selling Botanicals: What They Do
- Herbal Safety: Black Cohosh
- USC Health Magazine: Better Living Through Chemistry
- University of Michigan Health System: Citalopram
Member Comments