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What is Trintellix used for?

What is Trintellix used for?

Mental health disorders are common in the U.S. with an estimated 57.8 million adults (more than 1 in 5) suffering from one in 2021. They include many conditions that range in severity from mild to severe. If you have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as major depression, your healthcare provider may prescribe an FDA-approved medication such as Trintellix. Trintellix is an atypical antidepressant medication that can reduce severe depression symptoms. It helps improve your mood and emotions by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin in your brain. Read on as we discuss Trintellix’s side effects, precautions, and other important information you need to know.

Trintellix FAQs

What is Trintellix used to treat?

Trintellix (vortioxetine) is an oral medication made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals that was initially marketed under the brand name Brintellix. The name was changed in 2016 because of confusion between Brintellix and the blood thinner Brilinta (ticagrelor).

Trintellix is an atypical antidepressant that can be classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a serotonin receptor modulator. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).

How does Trintellix work?

How Trintellix works to treat depression is not fully known. It may be due to inhibiting the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, which is similar to how SSRIs work. It may also be due to Trintellix being a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. This helps boost the action of serotonin in your brain which can improve your mood.

What are the possible side effects of Trintellix?

The most common side effects seen in clinical trials when compared to placebo include:

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Dry mouth

  • Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction

Trintellix can rarely cause serious side effects such as:

  • Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions (hives, swelling of your tongue or throat, and trouble breathing)

  • Increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if taken with other medicines that increase your serotonin levels

  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and worsening depression, especially in patients under 25 years of age

  • Increased risk of bleeding

  • Low sodium levels

  • Vision changes, eye pain, and glaucoma

  • Manic episodes (trouble sleeping, feeling extremely happy or excited, reckless behavior, easily irritated or agitated, talking very quickly, being hyperactive)

These are not all of the possible side effects of Trintellix. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare professional for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Are there any drug interactions with Trintellix?

When Trintellix is taken with other drugs, it can change how they work or make some side effects more likely or severe. You should ask your healthcare provider if any of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take may interact with Trintellix, including:

  • SSRIs, including fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine

  • Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), including amitriptyline

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine

  • Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including duloxetine and venlafaxine

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and aspirin

  • Diuretics, including furosemide

  • Opioids, including tramadol and fentanyl

  • OTC supplements, including tryptophan or St. John’s Wort

  • Triptans, including sumatriptan

  • Anticonvulsants, including carbamazepine and phenytoin

  • Lithium

  • Buspirone

What should you tell your doctor before starting Trintellix?

Before starting Trintellix, be sure your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

  • History of convulsions or seizures

  • Bleeding problems or are you currently take a blood thinner such as warfarin

  • Family or personal history of mania, hypomania, or bipolar disorder

  • Hyponatremia (low sodium levels)

  • Vision problems such as glaucoma

  • Are pregnant or can become pregnant as Trintellix may cause harm to your unborn baby

  • Are breastfeeding as it is not known if Trintellix passes into your breast milk

Is Trintellix an addictive drug?

Trintellix is not an addictive drug. However, you can develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Trintellix suddenly. This happens more often if you’re taking higher doses of this medication. Symptoms can include nausea, changes in mood (irritability, agitation, and anxiety), sweating, dizziness, headache, insomnia, tremor, confusion, and seizures.

Also, if you take Trintellix during the third trimester, it may cause your baby to have withdrawal symptoms after it is born. They can also be at an increased risk for serious lung problems.

What are the benefits of taking Trintellix?

Trintellix is generally safe and effective when taken as told by your prescribing doctor. It is as effective as Lexapro (escitalopram) at treating depression symptoms. Trintellix tends to cause less sexual dysfunction and less weight gain than other medications for depression. It can be an effective treatment if you have failed other antidepressants for MDD. Trintellix may also begin to work faster than SSRIs to help improve your mood, appetite, sleep, and energy levels. As with all medications, there are possible side effects and other precautions. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if Trintellix is right for you.

Does Trintellix cause weight gain?

Weight gain was not a side effect reported in the clinical studies of Trintellix used to gain FDA approval. Since it has come to the market, there have been reports of weight gain in people taking Trintellix. It is not known if Trintellix caused this weight gain.

It should be noted that weight loss is a common symptom of depression. Gaining weight could be due to improved depression symptoms and not a direct side effect of Trintellix. If you are concerned about gaining weight while on Trintellix, talk with your healthcare provider about healthy ways to help manage your weight.

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