title: [The interaction of Rhodiola rosea and antidepressants. A case report].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrischer Dienst, Gesundheitsbezirk Bozen, Böhlerstrasse 5, 39100, Bozen, Italien, ignazio.maniscalco@asbz.it.
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maniscalco
authors.forename: Elda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toffol
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giupponi
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conca
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029771:Rhodiola; D012651:Self Medication; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D017374:Paroxetine