A complete safety, timing, and dosage guide for combining Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) with St. John's Wort — including how the two supplements interact, the best time of day to take each, and which populations should be careful.
Yes, you can take vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and St. John's Wort together — no significant interaction has been reported.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and St. John's Wort together are safe and neutral, meaning neither supplement meaningfully changes how the other works. This pairing does not require any special timing or dose adjustments for most healthy adults.
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is absorbed passively in the upper small intestine and converted to its active coenzyme form, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, primarily in the liver. St. John's Wort is a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, as well as the drug transporter P-glycoprotein. However, vitamin B6 is not a major substrate for these enzymes or transporters, so St. John's Wort does not accelerate vitamin B6 breakdown or reduce its absorption. Vitamin B6 also does not interfere with the hyperforin or hypericin components responsible for St. John's Wort's mood effects. Because their metabolic pathways are distinct, taking them together does not create a meaningful nutritional or pharmacological competition.
If you need both vitamin B6 and St. John's Wort, you can take them together at any time of day — morning or evening — because no timing or spacing is required for absorption or effectiveness. Taking them with a light meal containing some fat is fine and may help you remember them, but it is not necessary. Aim for your individual vitamin B6 needs (about 1.3–2.0 mg daily for most adults) and do not exceed 100 mg daily from supplements. For St. John's Wort, follow the dosing on the label, typically 300 mg three times daily or 900 mg once daily, and be consistent. If you miss a dose, just resume your normal schedule the next day, and never double up to catch up.
Yes, you can take them at the same time. Since vitamin B6 and St. John's Wort do not affect each other's absorption or metabolism, there is no need to separate them by an hour or more.
Yes, it is safe for most healthy adults to take both every day at recommended doses. Just be sure your total vitamin B6 intake stays below 100 mg daily and check that St. John's Wort does not interfere with any medications you are currently taking.
You do not need to wait at all. There is no known interaction, so you can take them together or at different times of day based on your preference.
No, they do not compete for absorption. Vitamin B6 is absorbed passively in the small intestine, while St. John's Wort is absorbed by different mechanisms, so taking them together does not reduce either supplement's effectiveness.
Avoid this combination if you are taking medications that interact with St. John's Wort, such as antidepressants, birth control pills, or blood thinners. Also avoid high-dose vitamin B6 (over 100 mg daily) unless prescribed by a doctor, and consult your provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a liver condition.
You can take either on an empty stomach, but if you experience nausea or mild digestive upset, taking them with a meal is perfectly fine. Food does not meaningfully change the absorption of either supplement.
Reviewed by Caroline M. on April 15, 2026 for accuracy against the sources listed above. This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
The matrix has 86 supplements and 7310 pairwise interactions. Click any cell to see the full breakdown.