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symptoms.”^12 This requires working closely with a physician if there is any substantial risk
of bipolar cycling
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: ADJUNCTIVE USE FOR DEPRESSION: Only very small,
old and generally not well-controlled Soviet studies have thus far documented the
antidepressant effect of rhodiola as an adjunct to synthetic antidepressants. These studies
suggest that when combined with tricyclic antidepressants, rhodiola use was associated
with a marked reduction in medication side effects as well as an improvement in
depressive symptoms.^13 Brown et al. state that they use rhodiola as an adjunctive
treatment in depression with all classes of antidepressants except MAOIs, because it
“increases mental and physical energy" and "improves mood and stress tolerance."
People should consult with their prescribing physician before attempting such adjunctive
use. Further studies of Rhodiola as an adjunct to all classes of antidepressants would be
worthwhile. Brown et al. advise against use of rhodiola with MAOIs
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: EXHAUSTION, DECREASED MOTIVATION, DAYTIME
SLEEPINESS, DECREASED LIBIDO, SLEEP DISTURBANCES, AND COGNITIVE COMPLAINTS:
Iovieno et al. concur that rhodiola is effective for improving physical and cognitive
deficiencies such as exhaustion, decreased motivation, daytime sleepiness, decreased
libido, sleep disturbances, and cognitive complaints such as concentration deficiencies,
forgetfulness, decreased memory, susceptibility to stress, and irritability.
- SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USES: ALLEVIATION OF SIDE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC
MEDICATION: In Brown et al. II, Panossian, A.G. asserts that rhodiola studies have shown
“alleviat[ion of] psychotropic side effects in subjects [with schizophrenia].”^14
- DRUG INTERACTIONS
No data are available concerning efficacy, safety and pharmacological interaction of
rhodiola used in combination with SSRIs.
