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[The interaction of Rhodiola rosea and antidepressants. A case report]
Ignazio Maniscalco1, Elda Toffol, Giancarlo Giupponi
1Psychiatrischer Dienst, Gesundheitsbezirk Bozen, Böhlerstrasse 5, 39100, Bozen, Italien, ignazio.maniscalco@asbz.it.
Objective:
Rhodiola rosea (Russian Rhodiola/Golden Root) is a high mountain plant from the arctic regions of Europe and Asia which has the active substance phenylpropanoide. It has sedative, anti-depressive, drive-enhancing and stress-modulated properties stimulating the distribution of dopamine and serotonin; in combination with other drugs, an increase of side effects and risk profile has to be expected.
Methods:
A case report is presented in order to illustrate the interaction between Rhodiola rosea and antidepressants.
Results:
We report the case of a 68-year-old female patient with recurrent moderate depressive disorder with somatic syndrome (ICD-10 F33.11) who developed vegetative syndrome, restlessness feeling and trembling since she began to ingest Rhodiola rosea in addition to paroxetine.
Conclusions:
Prescribing Rhodiola rosea with paroxetine, pharmacokinetic and -dynamic interactions have to be assumed. The symptoms of the patient can be interpreted as a serotonergic syndrome. Because of its different effects, the plant is widely used. An increase of clinical relevant risks should be considered in the add-on treatments.
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