Vortioxetine

Key facts

• Vortioxetine (sold as Trintellix) is an antidepressant for major depressive disorder in adults, taken as a tablet once daily.
• Full benefit builds gradually, usually over two to four weeks of steady use.
• Vortioxetine, like other antidepressants, carries a warning for increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in people under 25, particularly during the first weeks of treatment or after a dose change; close monitoring matters most during these periods.
• Never combine vortioxetine with an MAOI. Doing so can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction.

What vortioxetine treats

Vortioxetine treats major depressive disorder, easing low mood, loss of interest, poor concentration, and sleep disturbance. It is used in adults who need ongoing treatment for depression, sometimes after other antidepressants have not worked well enough.

How vortioxetine works

Vortioxetine increases serotonin activity in the brain. It blocks the reuptake of serotonin, similar to an SSRI, and also acts directly on several serotonin receptors, which further adjusts the release of serotonin and other brain chemicals involved in mood and thinking. These combined effects build over several weeks as the brain adjusts.

Before you take it

• Do not take vortioxetine within 14 days of stopping an MAOI, or start an MAOI within 21 days of stopping vortioxetine.
• Tell your prescriber about bipolar disorder, a history of seizures, or severe liver problems, since these may need extra caution or dose adjustment.
• Combining vortioxetine with NSAIDs, aspirin, or blood thinners raises the risk of bleeding, particularly in the stomach.
• Avoid combining vortioxetine with other serotonergic drugs, including triptans, tramadol, and St John's wort, unless your prescriber has approved it.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and headache, which often ease after the first weeks.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

• New or worsening thoughts of self-harm, especially in the early weeks of treatment.
• Agitation, rapid heartbeat, high fever, muscle rigidity, or tremor, which can signal serotonin syndrome.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

• People under 25 need close monitoring for new or worsening suicidal thoughts, especially in the first weeks of treatment and after any dose change.
• Never combine vortioxetine with an MAOI; watch for agitation, fever, rapid heartbeat, or muscle rigidity if you take other serotonergic medicines.
• Do not stop vortioxetine abruptly; your prescriber will advise on tapering the dose.
• Tell your prescriber before combining it with blood thinners or regular NSAID use.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.