Vortioxetine and Lewy Body Disorders

Introduction: Vortioxetine is a newer antidepressant medication with reported potential for mitigating cognitive impairment secondary to major depressive disorder. However, the current study suggests that the use of Vortioxetine for patients with Lewy Body Disorders may present complications due to its interactions with medications frequently prescribed to that population, including Bupropion and Carbidopa-Levodopa. 

Methods: A case study is presented to illustrate Vortioxetine’s potential interactions with Lewy pathology and other medications frequently used for patients with Lewy Body Disorders. Vortioxetine’s potential for exacerbation of Lewy pathology symptoms including cognitive impairment and gastric immotility is described, and the underlying biochemical mechanisms are explained.

Results: The use of Vortioxetine exacerbated Lewy Body symptoms including cognitive impairment and gastric immotility. Discontinuation of Vortioxetine alleviated symptom exacerbation.

Discussion and Conclusions: The chemical mechanisms responsible for symptom changes consequent to Vortioxetine’s interactions with serotonergic and cholinergic suppression characteristic of Lewy pathology, and other medications used for the Lewy Body patient in the case study are discussed. The use of Vortioxetine for patients with Lewy Body Disorders may present complications due to its effect on neurotransmitter pathways affected by Lewy pathology, as well as its interactions with medications frequently prescribed to that population. Recommendations are made for screening Lewy Body patients before prescribing Vortioxetine.