If you’re looking at treatment options for major depressive disorder, your doctor might suggest Trintellix (vortioxetine) for you.

Trintellix is a prescription medication that’s used to treat depression in adults. The drug comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. If Trintellix works to treat your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

For more information about Trintellix, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Trintellix can cause mild or serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more. You can discuss the pros and cons of Trintellix with your doctor.

Some people may experience side effects during their treatment. Trintellix has been reported to have some side effects.

The sections below give more information on side effects that Trintellix may cause.

Some people may experience side effects while taking Trintellix. Mild side effects have been reported with this drug.

See the side effects explained below for more information.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop using Trintellix.”

Trintellix may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Trintellix medication guide for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Trintellix, visit MedWatch.

Trintellix can have serious side effects. Trintellix has been reported with serious side effects.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Trintellix, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

Note: To help lower the risk of withdrawal from Trintellix, your doctor may slowly decrease your dosage of the drug if you’re stopping it.

* Trintellix has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.

Trintellix may cause some side effects.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults

Trintellix has a boxed warning for the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (ages 24 years and younger). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Children and young adults can be at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors if they take anti-depressants. The highest risk is within the first few months of taking Trintellix.

You and your family should be aware of the symptoms of this side effect. If you experience them, you can tell your doctor. These symptoms include:

  • thoughts or attempts to take your life
  • I feel angry or agitated.
  • acting on dangerous impulses
  • new or worsening depression or panic attacks
  • Other changes in behavior.

Trintellix is only approved for use in adults.

What might help

If you experience suicidal thoughts, tell your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a change.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, you may need to go to a hospital or call the emergency number.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you think someone is at risk of self-injury or hurting another person.

  • You can call your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Guns, knives, medications, and other things should be removed.
  • “Don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you should get help from a hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

Weight gain

In rare cases, Trintellix may cause weight gain. But it’s important to note that weight gain was not a side effect reported during studies of Trintellix.

There have been reports of weight gain in people using Trintellix after the drug was released onto the market. But it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Trintellix was the cause.

If you are concerned about gaining weight during your Trintellix treatment, talk to your doctor.

What might help

If you experience weight gain during your Trintellix treatment, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help determine if Trintellix is the cause of the weight gain. They may recommend a different medication if you are found to be in that situation.

Itching

In rare cases, some people may experience itchy skin while taking Trintellix. In studies, this side effect was reported in a small amount of people taking Trintellix.

What might help

If you have itchy skin, you should talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce the side effect.

Sexual side effects

Trintellix may cause sexual side effects to occur in some people. In studies, this was a common side effect seen in both males* and females* taking Trintellix.

Sexual side effects are more likely with higher doses of Trintellix. Examples of sexual side effects that may occur include erectile dysfunction or a decrease in libido (sex drive).

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

What might help

If you are concerned about sexual side effects, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend other drugs that will reduce the side effects.

If the sexual side effects are extremely bothersome, your doctor may recommend a different drug to treat your depression.

Headache

In rare cases, Trintellix may cause headaches. But it’s important to note that headache was not a side effect reported in studies of Trintellix. There have been reports of headaches occurring in people using Trintellix after it was released onto the market. But it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Trintellix was the cause.

“Some people have reported headaches after stopping their Trintellix treatment. There shouldn’t be any side effects from missing one dose of Trintellix. The drug may cause headaches if stopped suddenly.”

If you will be stopping your Trintellix treatment, your doctor may recommend a decrease in your dose. This will help prevent headaches when you stop treatment. For more details about recommended dosages for Trintellix, see this in-depth article.

A headache may also be a symptom of low levels of salt., which is another side effect of Trintellix.

What might help

If you are having headaches during your Trintellix treatment, talk to your doctor. If you have headaches, they may recommend a blood test to check your sodium levels. They may be able to recommend ways to prevent headaches.

If you want to stop your treatment, you should talk to your doctor. If your doctor recommends it, you should not stop taking Trintellix.

If you will be stopping your Trintellix treatment, your doctor may recommend a decrease in your dose. This will help prevent headaches when you stop treatment.

Allergic reaction

Trintellix can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Mild or serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a rash.
  • hives (itchy raised bumps or areas on your skin)
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild There is a rash., call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had an allergic reaction to Trintellix, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Trintellix, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Keep notes on any side effects you have during your Trintellix treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • What dose of drug did you take when you had the side effect?
  • How soon after starting that dose did you experience side effects?
  • What were your symptoms after the side effect?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them understand how the drug affects you. Your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

Get answers to questions about Trintellix.

Can Trintellix cause drowsiness?

No, Trintellix shouldn’t cause you to feel drowsy or tired. Drowsiness was not a side effect reported in studies of the drug. Fatigue (lack of energy) wasn’t reported in people taking Trintellix, either.

But other medications taken for depression or mood disorders may cause you to feel drowsy. Examples of antidepressants that may cause drowsiness include amitriptyline, Lexapro (escitalopram), or trazodone.

Do not take any drugs during your Trintellix treatment. They can help determine if Trintellix is the cause or if you are taking other medications that make you sleepy. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce the side effect.

How long do side effects from Trintellix last?

It depends on what side effects you’re experiencing. Some side effects may last only a week or two, but others may last longer. For example, in studies, nausea was most common during the first week of treatment. But after about 2 weeks, nausea generally went away in most people taking Trintellix.

Sexual side effects may last throughout your Trintellix treatment.

If you are having side effects that bother you, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease the side effects.

Does using Trintellix cause sweating?

Trintellix isn’t likely to cause sweating. Sweating was not a side effect seen during studies of the drug. But there have been reports of this side effect occurring in people using Trintellix after it was released onto the market. At this time, it’s unclear how often people taking Trintellix may experience sweating or if Trintellix was the cause.

Other medications used to treat depression may also cause sweating. Examples of these drugs include Wellbutrin SR or XL (bupropion) or Effexor XR (venlafaxine).

If you experience sweating during your Trintellix treatment, you should talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease the effect.

Could Trintellix cause vision problems?

Yes, Trintellix may cause vision problems. Specifically, Trintellix may cause closed-angle There is a problem with the eye. in people who have other eye conditions.

If you have a narrow angle in your eye, you have a higher risk for an angle closure attack. This is when the iris (the colored part of your eye) swells and prevents fluid in your eye from circulating. This causes the pressure in your eye to increase. If you’re also taking Trintellix, your risk for eye problems may be even higher.

Other drugs used to treat depression may also cause vision problems, such as blurry vision or double vision. Examples of these medications include Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram).

If you have concerns about vision problems, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Trintellix cause joint pain?

No, joint pain is not a side effect of Trintellix. Joint pain wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But other medications that are used to treat depression, such as Celexa (citalopram), may cause joint pain.

If you are having joint pain while taking Trintellix, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help determine what is causing the pain and how to treat it.

Trintellix has several warnings.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults

Trintellix has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults (ages 24 years and younger). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

If you have a medical condition that affects your health, Trintellix may not be right for you. Before you take Trintellix, talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Bipolar disorder. Trintellix may cause mania or hypomania to occur. These are changes in your mood that are also symptoms of bipolar disorder. You may have a higher risk for mania or hypomania if you have bipolar disorder. If you have a history of bipolar disorder, tell your doctor before taking Trintellix. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Trintellix or any of its ingredients, you should not take Trintellix. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Glaucoma. If you have There is a problem with the eye. or narrow angles in your eyes, taking Trintellix may make your condition worse. This is because Trintellix may cause your pupils to dilate (get bigger), which can make your condition worse. If you have There is a problem with the eye., be sure to tell your doctor before starting Trintellix. They may monitor your eyes more closely during your Trintellix treatment, or they may recommend a different medication for you.

Bleeding disorders. Trintellix may increase your risk for There was bleeding..If you have a There was bleeding. disorder, your risk may be even higher. Depending on your condition or other drugs you may be taking, your doctor may monitor you more closely during your treatment. This way they can make sure you’re not experiencing any There was bleeding.. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a different medication to treat your condition.

Use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). You should not take Trintellix if you’re taking an MAOI to treat a mental health condition. And if you’re taking the MAOI antibiotic Zyvox (linezolid) you should not take Trintellix. Also, if you’re receiving the MAOI methylene blue as an intravenous (IV) injection you should not take Trintellix. Before starting Trintellix, tell your doctor about all the drugs you’re taking, including any MAOIs.

Alcohol use and Trintellix

You should not drink alcohol while taking Trintellix. Alcohol may cause some side effects of Trintellix to be worse. For example, Trintellix may cause Nausea and vomiting. or headache. These side effects may be worse with alcohol use.

If you drink alcohol and have concerns about avoiding it during your Trintellix treatment, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Trintellix

Trintellix is used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

It’s not known if Trintellix is safe to take during pregnancy. Animal studies show that Trintellix may cause harm to a fetus. But animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you take Trintellix during the third trimester of your pregnancy, your baby may experience withdrawal symptoms. Trintellix may increase the risk of your child being born with lung problems.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. They may recommend a different medication.

If you do use Trintellix during pregnancy, consider participating in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. This registry collects information about the safety of antidepressants (such as Trintellix) when used during pregnancy. You or your doctor can sign you up for the registry by calling 866-961-2388 or by visiting the registry’s website.

Breastfeeding

Trintellix is not known if it is safe to take while breastfeeding. There are no studies on the effects of Trintellix on a child who is breastfed.

If you are currently breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking Trintellix. They may recommend a different medication.

Trintellix is an effective medication to treat depression in adults. But some people may experience side effects from this drug. Most of these side effects may be mild, but in some cases they can be severe.

If you have questions about the side effects of Trintellix, you should talk to your doctor. Some questions you may want to ask are listed below.

  • What can happen if I become pregnant while taking Trintellix?
  • How should I deal with the side effects of Trintellix?
  • Do my other health conditions increase my risk for Trintellix?

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Q:

Do I have a higher risk for side effects from Trintellix if I’m also taking other medications to treat my depression?

Anonymous

A:

It is likely that taking Trintellix with other drugs will cause side effects.

Taking Trintellix with other antidepressants that contain serotonin is not recommended. This is because using these drugs together can raise your risk for serotonin syndrome (a dangerous condition caused by a buildup of serotonin in your body). Examples of antidepressants containing serotonin include Zoloft (sertraline), Effexor XR (venlafaxine), and amitriptyline.

You also shouldn’t use monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) with Trintellix. Examples of MAOIs include Nardil (phenelzine) and Emsam (selegiline). Using these drugs with Trintellix can also raise your risk for serotonin syndrome.

You need to stop treatment with MAOI at least 14 days before starting Trintellix. If you are stopping your treatment, you need to wait at least 21 days before starting.

“If you want to take other drugs to treat your depression or if Trintellix isn’t helping you, you should talk to your doctor.”

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.