Possible Interaction: Antidepressive Agents and Folate

“It has been postulated that co-administration of pharmacologically standardized nutrients (nutraceuticals), such as folate , would potentiate the effect of antidepressants.”

“On balance, one must be cautious in recommending adjunctive antidepressant treatment with folate as they have yet to be fully established: (a) any long-term risks and benefits of exposure to high doses, (b) a dose-response relationship, or (c) the optimal duration of treatment required.”

“Evidence supports a role for folate in potentiating the effect of antidepressant medications.”

“An agent such as folate , which is a naturally occurring B vitamin and is necessary for the synthesis of the trimonoamine neurotransmitters implicated in depression, may enhance the effects of a traditional antidepressant.”

“ Folate augmentation may be used (1) to enhance the efficacy of antidepressants in nonresponders, (2) to enable those who partially respond to antidepressant monotherapy to achieve remission, and (3) to alleviate residual symptoms during antidepressant treatment.”

“ Folate in particular has been found to further reduce symptoms in patients with depression when used in conjunction with an antidepressant , and because folate is a water-soluble B vitamin, its safety and tolerability are well established.”

“A recent review and metaanalysis looked at the results from … concluded that “there is some evidence that augmentation of antidepressant … folate may improve patient outcome.”3 Whether the putative beneficial effect of folate is limited … depressed mood and folate supplementation is beneficial in patients, a plausible mechanism implicates serotonin.”

“ Folate deficiency reduces the response to antidepressants.”

“Low folate levels are furthermore linked to a poor response to antidepressants , and treatment with folic acid is shown to improve response to antidepressants.”

“However, folate status does predict response to antidepressant treatment in older individuals.”

“In plain language, we might say, The evidence seems to show that taking folate along with antidepressants will not help more than a placebo.”