Vortioxetine and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2017

For Depression "I've been on Trintellix for 6 months and this pill has been a miracle for me! I was on Wellbutrin for 5 months prior, but it ended up giving me anxiety so I switched. I've had depression for over a decade and nothing really took it away -- I did therapy, changed my diet, exercised. I still felt grey, lifeless and didn't care much if I died. My depression was never overwhelming sadness, it was quite the opposite: I felt nothing. Nothing gave me pleasure. I was just a robot doing what I had to do. It worked quite quickly, about 3 weeks after I started. I will always have depression, but I'm able to cope now. I no longer feel like life is meaningless. I now do things just for the sake of it. I finally enjoy normal events like everyone else."

• Fig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am updating my review of Trintellix. I have now been using it at 10 mg at night for 5 weeks. Feeling better every day. One thing I had a problem with is getting really sleepy early evening (around 5 pm) so I started taking my dose at lunchtime instead of first thing in the morning. That is working wonderfully for me. It has regulated my sleep patterns! Also, a major plus is that it has helped me with my severe social anxiety. I am so happy that I was able to walk into a fast-food restaurant, order, sit, and eat by myself! And enjoy it! I am 56 and never have done that before. I so hope this medication helps you, friends, and if not, I hope you find your happy place wherever it may be. Oh, one more thing... the cost. I have Cigna insurance, and of course, they denied paying for this as it is a level 3 med. My doctor was able to get me approved since I have failed on other ADs, and the copay was $60.00."

• Ave...
• April 4, 2019

For Depression "Positives: Trintellix helped me manage my anxiety and depression for a time. I had a few good days where I felt almost normal. I was able to continue working full time and focus enough to 'appear' normal. Negatives: After 5 weeks on 10 mg, I increased to 20 mg for a week and that was too much. I ended up in the ER, and they recommended to stop the medication (after 6 weeks total). I’ve been off this med for 4 weeks and waiting for an appointment in a few days to discuss another med. I’m sleeping a lot better now than before starting Trintellix, but I still have issues with depression and anxiety that affect my daily life. I used Zoloft 50 mg in the past for PPA, but it wasn’t effective the 2nd time I tried it. Going to try another med, not ever going to give up. If you have read this far and are looking for encouragement, know that there is a med that will work for you and you will get better. There is hope, even if it doesn’t 'feel' like it today."

• asa...
• May 27, 2020

For Depression "I'm in my early 30s, been dealing with depression for almost 15 years. My former doc prescribed me Trintellix. He swore it was a super 'clean' med without side effects. It's been 2+ years taking it (max 20mg) and I had no positive effects. Don't let your doc tell you it won't/rarely cause weight gain. It does, especially if you're a female. It will continue the longer on it/dose increased. Also, awful GI problems - bad nausea or bad constipation. Also, it only makes anxiety worse, especially if you take it in the AM - take it in PM, you can't sleep ^_^ I would stay away from this drug, definitely if you have anxiety, a sensitive stomach, or are prone to weight gain from meds. I'm done off this in 4 days! Can't wait."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Definitely mixed feelings about Trintellix after being on this medication for a year. Prior to this, I took Paxil and abandoned that horror due to reduced emotions and feelings for anything or anyone. I began Trintellix and you'd swear I was bipolar (which I'm not). I wake up some mornings, take a 20 mg tablet, and feel happy but severely anxious. Throughout the day, the anxiety builds up until the evening. The evening sucks. The anxiety slowly builds into depression, I wake up the next day and it happens all over again, like Groundhog Day."

• sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2014

For Depression "Day 4. I have already noticed changes. Pros: - no desire to cry - clear-headed thought process - no mood swings/feel balanced (have not had any mood swings since day 2. I usually had them like 4x within an hour) - no angry outbursts or negative/hurtful comments towards people - decrease in paranoia - no longer feeling personally attacked by others Cons: - trouble sleeping - teensy bit jittery - itchy (not much) - definitely nauseous - trouble passing stool but not constipated - slight lightheadedness/dizziness. This is only day 4 going on 5 so I am thinking my brain & body need time to adjust & balance out. So far I feel mentally so much better. In control, I would say. Only odd thing I noticed was random laughing. But hey, I'm not complaining!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took Trintellix for three weeks due to my previous antidepressant losing effectiveness. I started with 5 mg and had gone up to 10 mg when I was overwhelmed by anxiety. Because you can’t just quit, I had to wean myself off the drug. I dropped to 5 mg for a week and then finally stopped. I still have symptoms of anxiety as I wait for the effects to go away. I had never experienced anxiety until I started taking this drug. I am now dealing with major depression and anxiety at the same time. I do not endorse the use of this drug."

• 000...
• March 5, 2018

For Depression "This drug works! It’s taken a long time for it to kick in for me (about 3-4 months), but I’m so happy I stuck with it. Prior to Trintellix, I had terrible anxiety, panic, and dissociation. Anxiety was so bad I lost 15 pounds. That’s a lot of weight for me. I was so sickly. Thanking God for creating people that create medication that helps people. No one asked to be born with this disease. Please don’t be ashamed to take something your brain may need. By the way, I am an RN and support medication 100%. Praying for everyone. I was previously on Celexa 20mg for 5 years. I’ve had GAD and panic since I was 19, it’s genetic for me. God bless!"

• Rav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on everything for depression, you name it: Zoloft, Prozac with add-ons like Buspar and/or mirtazapine, Abilify added to that mix, but nothing has worked till I tried Trintellix, and I do my extensive research since I study psychopharmacology. Anyway, this has been about 80% improvement. The only main side effect is a mild hypomania, or what I call a good mood and productive, and some jitteriness, like I'll have to pace sometimes. Helped my working memory, I can remember numbers better, but also events I can remember better."

• Fro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2023

For Depression "Took this medication for my anxiety and depression, and it made my anxiety way worse than ever to the point I got a seizure (fainted, woke up in an agitated state. Don't remember anything), but luckily I was at my friend's. If not, I'm actually not sure I would still be here. I was in the hospital for some days. They immediately stopped the medication, and I haven't had any symptoms of a new seizure ever since I stopped. Understand that it works for many people, but wanted to write a review for people with severe anxiety to be careful."

• 56a...
• January 11, 2017

For Depression "I've been on Trintellix for about three months. Last month, the sobbing has stopped, but I'm having vision disturbances. I started at 5 mg, then went to 10. From 10 to 20, my head hurt so bad that I backed down to 10 again. The vision issue is still there, along with profuse sweating and breakthrough anxiety. I've been through so many different antidepressants, I'm afraid of what will happen if I have to go through another drug change. It's been a nightmare."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2020

For Depression "I was on Cipralex for 5 years for anxiety and depression, and my anxiety was better, but about depression, it was up and down. My doctor switched me to Trintellix 20 about 6 months ago, and I feel my depression is getting better. I feel more happy, but it worsened my anxiety! I don't think this drug helps for anxiety at all!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2023

For Depression "This is absolutely the worst antidepressant I’ve ever taken. I can’t emphasize that enough. I started at 10 mgs. Anxiety through the roof-like I’ve never experienced, insomnia, agitation… the list goes on! My advice is if you are noticing these symptoms as soon as you start taking the medication, they will not subside, but increase every day! It made me feel crazy! Again, I’ve tried many antidepressants, this one is actually pure poison. And based on the majority of reviews, it seems to be the case for many! The day I stopped taking it, I already felt much better."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

For Depression "Throughout the years, I have tried Effexor XR, Celexa, Lexapro, and Cymbalta for my depression. They work for a few years, then don't. My doctor just RX'd Trintellix. I had a 14-day supply of the 5 mg and a 14-day supply of the 10 mg. I have only been on the 5 mg for four days, and it is awful! I'm tired, anxious, and have vivid dreams, which I could deal with, but the depression (crying all day and real dark thoughts) has increased, and I am extremely angry and agitated. I will be discontinuing immediately."

• jfl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2018

For Depression "I have tried many antidepressants, and I have to say, so far I am very happy with this one. You don't gain weight, you have energy, and you don't feel doom and gloom. It also does not give you anxiety. No sexual side effects. I have been on it for about two months, and so far, no issues. I am currently happy on this medication and hope that more improvements will come with longer usage."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2025

"This was by far the most effective medication I have ever tried for my depression. It practically got rid of it and completely brought back my motivation and energy levels. Different from SSRIs that I had tried before, such as Lexapro and Zoloft, I found Trintellix to have a much more natural feeling effect. It felt as if I was getting better naturally, and it hardly had any emotional blunting. It also worked relatively quickly on my depression, and I saw pretty substantial results around 2 or 3 weeks. Unfortunately, my main issue is anxiety/panic, which I found Trintellix to make worse (even after 2+ months) due to its activating effects. Oddly, it made my social anxiety worse than it had ever been, to the point where I was afraid of people. Even combining Trintellix with Gabapentin did not help enough for my anxiety. The other downside of this med is that it made me extremely nauseous. If Trintellix was able to relieve my anxiety, it would be a 10/10 review from me."

• nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2015

For Depression "My experience with Brintellix has been terrible. This is the worst antidepressant I have ever taken. Bad if you have insomnia. Bad if you have problems with rumination. Bad if you have anxiety. Enough said."

• Bel...
• October 12, 2015

For Depression "I have been taking 5 mg 1x daily in the am of Brintellix. This dosage has knocked out my depressive symptoms very effectively, but my anxiety is unchanged. My doctor is going to have me try clonazepam for the anxiety issues, but I am really pleased with what Brintellix has done for my depression. In a little over a year, I have weaned off of paroxetine and tried fluoxetine, duloxetine, bupropion, and they have had varied undesirable side effects. The whole time I've also been taking trazodone for problems sleeping. I look forward to seeing how the clonazepam will work with the Brintellix."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2020

"I have very mixed feelings about the medication. I started taking Trintellix 10 about a month ago. I started noticing some weird mood swings. At about 8 PM, I get super manic, and by 9, I'm horribly depressed and too anxious to talk to anyone. I feel stoned 24/7, and I get fishbowl vision. However, it has significantly helped with depression."

• Kat...
• June 1, 2017

For Depression "This is the only antidepressant that was beneficial to me. Following a steroid-induced psychosis, I just was never the same. Terrible anxiety, up at night, deep depression every now and then. I will say that my sleep didn't fall into place until I was on the 20 mg. I can't imagine life without this medicine!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "They need to warn people when they prescribe this! I have had 3 doses, and I’m losing my mind. Intense anger, irritability, impatience, frustration, and horrible anxiety and nightmares. My heart is pounding, I’m paranoid, and shaking and nauseous (from anxiety, not from the med) and freezing, just like a PTSD flashback. I’m afraid to go to sleep tonight. I screamed at my dog. Don’t risk your sanity with this drug."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2019

For Depression "I was hoping to feel better, but I only feel worse. I have been sad, and I have been on 120 mg of Cymbalta a day for 5 months. The doctor told me to keep taking it and started me on Trintellix. Two weeks of 5 mg and a week of 10 mg. I feel agitated, angry, anxious, and still sad."

• hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2017

For Depression "I absolutely hated this whole ordeal I have been through. I will start by saying everyone is different, and if you are doing great on this medication, then I am happy for you. I did not fare as well. It first started with the anger. I am normally not at all angry (I suffer from anxiety and panic disorder mainly), so freaking out about the tiniest things is not me. But I wanted to give it the full 6 weeks, so I carried on. Next was the tinnitus. It was in both ears about once or twice a day (as a 25-year-old female, this was not normal for me), but again I carried on. Then the horrid anxiety and panic attacks came and didn't go away. Then I woke up with horrid muscle aches and almost convulsion-like tremors. Went to the ER and was told to stop meds."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2015

For Depression "Started taking Brintellix six weeks ago. I have been on Lexapro for ages and wanted to try something else as I thought Lexapro was flattening its effectiveness. Brintellix has me so anxious it's incredible, and I seem to want to cry all the time. Cognitively, heaps of improvement, helped with energy as well. But has done nothing for GAD, which is the root cause of my issues. This has been disastrous and cost me my job because of anxiety buildup and subsequently the depression that's followed. Good luck to you all on this medication... Each to their own, I guess. It's just plain horrible for me!"

• Cor...
• March 17, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "It's been about 12 days since I've started taking Trintellix in the 5 mg dose. The first few days, I was having very vivid dreams, tossing and turning at night, and I would wake up very tired each morning. I take this medication in the morning with my Seasonale birth control and a One A Day Women's Multivitamin. At first, it decreased my appetite to almost nothing every day, I even had nausea lasting for about 3 hours after I took it with food. Now that I've been taking it for 12 days, the nausea and dreams have started to slowly subside. I noticed on the second day that it pushed suicidal thoughts out of my head almost completely, as well as feelings of constant self-doubt and pity, mood swings, and anxiety. For me, it's making a difference."