Trintellix (Vortioxetine) for Depression

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Trintellix (vortioxetine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with major depressive disorder.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 250 comments about Trintellix from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Once-daily dosing can feel simple to manage.
Long-term use can help keep depression from returning.
Mood can improve, sometimes within weeks.

Considerations:

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea are common early side effects.
Dose changes or stopping suddenly can bring withdrawal-like symptoms.
Suicidal thoughts can worsen early in treatment or after dose changes.

How Trintellix Works and How It’s Taken

Trintellix is an antidepressant. It works by increasing serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps control mood.

In major depressive disorder, increased serotonin activity in the brain may help improve mood. The exact way it works is not fully known.

Doctors prescribe Trintellix to treat adults with major depressive disorder.

Trintellix is a tablet taken by mouth once a day. It can be taken with or without food.

A healthcare provider may start with a lower dose and adjust it over time based on how well it is tolerated.

Typical Dosing for Depression

The recommended starting dose of Trintellix for depression in adults is 10 milligrams by mouth once daily.

The dose may be increased to 20 milligrams per day if needed.

Some people may take 5 milligrams per day if higher doses are not well tolerated.

If stopping treatment from 15 milligrams or 20 milligrams per day, the dose may be lowered to 10 milligrams per day for one week before stopping.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Trintellix

These insights are based on 250 comments about Trintellix from MyDepressionTeam members.

Members who use Trintellix often say it helps to set realistic expectations, pay attention to side effects early on, and stay in close touch with a doctor during medication changes. Many also mention practical issues like cost, insurance approval, and finding a dosing routine that feels easier to tolerate.

1

Keep track of side effects and tell your doctor.

“I’m prescribed it at bedtime, but it makes my insomnia worse. Then my wife says that I sleep during the day and do weird stuff at night, like walking outside barefoot in my pajamas. I don’t remember doing this, so I’m scared of what might happen during these sleepwalking sessions.”
2

Ask your doctor about nausea or stomach side effects.

“Yes, Trintellix can make you nauseous. I eat breakfast, then take it. Works better for me that way.”
3

Talk to your doctor during switches, dose changes, or add-on treatment.

“Doctor started me on 5 milligrams with a dose change every week until I reached 20 milligrams, which I am on now.”

Connect with others who understand life with depression. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.

Trintellix Side Effects

In clinical studies of Trintellix for major depressive disorder in adults, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 32 percent of people. These were:

Nausea
Constipation
Vomiting

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Trintellix can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The risk is higher in people age 24 and younger, especially early in treatment or when the dose changes.
Serotonin syndrome — This potentially life-threatening reaction from too much serotonin can cause confusion, fever, sweating, shaking, diarrhea, or seizures.
Increased risk of bleeding — Bruising or bleeding may happen more easily.
Mania or hypomania — This includes unusually high energy, racing thoughts, risky behavior, or needing much less sleep.
Discontinuation syndrome — Withdrawal-like symptoms after stopping suddenly can include nausea, sweating, irritability, dizziness, headache, insomnia, or seizures.
Angle-closure glaucoma — A sudden eye emergency can cause eye pain, vision changes, or redness.
Hyponatremia — Low sodium levels can cause headache, confusion, weakness, or seizures.
Sexual dysfunction — Changes in sexual desire or sexual performance may include delayed orgasm, erectile dysfunction, or ejaculation problems.
Hypersensitivity — Severe allergic reactions include anaphylaxis, angioedema, or hives, which can cause rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Trintellix

Takeda, the manufacturer of Trintellix, offers the Trintellix Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $10 for a 30-day or 90-day prescription.

The Trintellix Savings Card also includes free access to the Trintellix Support Program. This program offers informative emails, reminder texts, including refill reminders, and the option to chat with an advisor. To learn more, visit the Trintellix Savings Card website, or call 866-279-0287.

What To Know Before Taking Trintellix

Before starting Trintellix, your doctor should check if you or your family have a history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to vortioxetine or any ingredients in Trintellix.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines can interact with Trintellix.

Also tell your doctor if you have or have had bleeding problems, glaucoma, or low sodium levels.

Do not take Trintellix if you are allergic to vortioxetine or any of its ingredients.

Do not take Trintellix with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days of stopping one. Wait at least 21 days after stopping Trintellix before starting an MAOI. Do not take it with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are older antidepressants that can interact dangerously with Trintellix. Certain antibiotics, such as linezolid, can also interact dangerously with Trintellix.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Trintellix, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Taking Trintellix late in pregnancy may cause problems in newborns, including breathing issues or withdrawal symptoms.

If you become pregnant, ask your doctor about joining the pregnancy registry to help track outcomes. Register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants online or at 844-405-6185.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Trintellix?
In six- to eight-week studies in adults with major depressive disorder, Trintellix helped improve depression symptoms better than placebo (an inactive treatment) at some doses in five studies. However, two U.S. studies of the 5 milligrams dose did not show a benefit.

In older adults aged 64 to 88 years, the 5 milligrams dose worked better than placebo.

Some people may start to feel better after about two weeks, but the full effect is usually seen after four weeks or longer. In long-term studies, people taking Trintellix had a longer time before their depression returned compared with placebo.

How long does Trintellix take to work for depression?
Some people taking Trintellix may start to see effects around two weeks. The full antidepressant effect is usually seen after four weeks or longer.

Can Trintellix cause suicidal thoughts or other serious risks when used for depression?
Yes. Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people ages 24 and younger, especially when starting treatment or changing the dose. Other serious risks include serotonin syndrome, increased bleeding, mania, certain eye problems, low sodium levels, and sexual side effects.