Vortioxetine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mys...
• February 27, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been taking Trintellix for about 3 weeks and have been miserable. I know a new medication takes about a month before being able to tell if it works. From day one, I have had a headache, crazy dreams, a constant banana taste, and cotton mouth. The dreams are disjointed, overlapping, and exhausting. The banana taste is like that artificial flavor, like taffy or snack cakes. It is constant, even after eating pickles. I am constantly drinking something to try to get rid of the cotton mouth. I have a traumatic brain injury, so my brain is wired differently. I'm taking 450 mg Lamictal and 300 mg Wellbutrin and now Trintellix along with it. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to stop taking the 10 mg of Trintellix."

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 7, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been depressed since childhood, and was widowed with 3 young children last year. My doctor started me on Brintillex at 5 mg, and I’m now on a 20 mg dose. The only side effect I’ve had is that if I forget to take my tablets, I get drowsy. I’ve tried just about every antidepressant going, and this is the only one I’ve managed to stick to. Everything else gave me headaches, sweating, clenching jaw, but this medicine is perfect for me. Despite going through an incredibly tough time, I’m happier and more motivated than ever before. This medicine has changed my life. If you haven’t found your perfect medication yet, keep trying until you do. I can’t comment on the cost, as I’m in the UK, so it’s free on the NHS."

• MGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2021

Vortioxetine for Depression "Treating generalized anxiety with therapy and escitalopram 10 mg. It worked wonders (I went from over-worrying to functioning perfectly normally), but the sexual side effects were stressing me. I started to feel well, and therefore I wanted to get to know people, but sex was weird and orgasm difficult to reach (I’m a 32-year-old male). Switched to Brintellix 10 mg, in 3 days I went from 1 hour to orgasm to 10 minutes. What I can say is that after some initial unease adjusting to the tapering up of Brintellix (no nausea, just generally feeling unwell/sick/fatigued and headaches), after 1 week I have no more side effects. I don’t feel as up in mood as with escitalopram, but for now, it’s okay. Maybe it will improve. It feels very gentle and not so intense in effect as escitalopram."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2021

Vortioxetine for Depression "First day taking Trintellix 5 mg. My anxiety is 1,000 times worse in just a few hours. Completely exhausted, but I've been rolling around in bed for hours, kicking at the sheets. Headache. Weird tension. This is a terrible drug. I won't be taking any further doses."

• pud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2019

For Depression "The worst drug I have been on for my anxiety, depression, and stress. I'm feeling agitated, angry, I hate everyone. I'm more depressed now than I was. The headaches are severe. I'm nauseous all the time, I don't want to go outside, I want to sleep all the time. In fact, this drug is making my anxiety levels a whole lot worse, and my depression is getting bad again. I thought I was losing my mind, and I wasn't sure what it was. I'm going to taper off this drug and never touch it again. My doctor is a total nightmare, and to be honest, the psychiatrists are no better. I told them to take me off this as it was not agreeing with me, and they upped my dosage to 20 mg, lol. I was far better on Effexor. Now I have to go back again and try to sort this mess out, more stress. Oh, and so dizzy."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

For Depression "Started 2 weeks on 5 mgs and then 6 weeks on 10 mgs. The only positive was that I stopped crying every day (was dealing with benzo withdrawal). Had headaches, diarrhea, constipation, worsening depression (at 5 weeks I laid in bed for 5 days, didn't want to eat/sleep/cook/clean - my initial problem was anxiety, not so much depression, med made me way more depressed), many migraine auras, pressure in my head, ear ringing, fear, worsening anxiety, only felt better once I cut back to 5 mgs, then off 2 weeks now. Still have some mounting anxiety, but hopefully will subside or I may try a low dose of amitriptyline. I am sensitive to antidepressants, they make my anxiety worse."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

For Depression "Started 2 weeks on 5 mgs and then 6 weeks on 10 mgs. The only positive was that I stopped crying every day (was dealing with benzo withdrawal). Had headaches, diarrhea, constipation, worsening depression (at 5 weeks I laid in bed for 5 days, didn't want to eat/sleep/cook/clean - my initial problem was anxiety, not so much depression, med made me way more depressed), many migraine auras, pressure in my head, ear ringing, fear, worsening anxiety, only felt better once I cut back to 5 mgs, then off 2 weeks now. Still have some mounting anxiety, but hopefully will subside or I may try a low dose of amitriptyline. I am sensitive to antidepressants, they make my anxiety worse."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have been on Brintellix for about 3 weeks now due to depression and anxiety. I have noticed increased energy, some nausea and headaches (usually on an empty stomach), some loss of sleep, and nightmares. The worst of the nausea and headaches lasted for about the first 4 days and was infrequent, usually for about 90 minutes after taking the pill (I take it at night now before bed). Impressive improvement in the large emotional mood swings and anxiety I was experiencing was quick. I have never taken anything before. Brintellix has improved my symptoms and quality of life. The benefits definitely outweigh any side effects I have experienced."

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "The sickest six weeks of my life. Constant nausea accompanied by intermittent vomiting, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. I would have had to die to feel better. An emotional wreck, severe bouts of crying, feelings of utter despondency and hopelessness that were not present before taking. I am amazed that this drug made it through the FDA with such high incidences of nausea. Absolutely horrible experience."

• Gaz...
• October 12, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Been on Trintellix 5 mg for about three weeks and going to increase to 10 mg tomorrow. The first week, I got stomach pain, but not nausea. The second week, I got diarrhea for 4 days, and then I started to have headaches and a panic attack in the evening. I take Xanax for that. I was diagnosed with atypical depression after several tests to rule out other illnesses. It took me about a year, and I got more fatigued that I could barely walk. I was constantly hungry, used to wake up in the middle of the night, and had constant thoughts that I couldn't get rid of. My depression was triggered by prolonged school anxiety. I tried Zoloft and Cipralex, but they gave me bad side effects. Trintellix is slowly increasing my energy and mood."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2016

For Depression "I've been suffering from anxiety for years now and was being given Klonopin originally. After 5 years of Klonopin use, both my doctor and I wanted to wean me off the Klonopin, so my doctor put me on Trintellix (vortioxetine). I started taking Trintellix about a month ago, and at first, everything seemed to be going fine. I was starting to feel 'slightly' better. By the third week, I started to get these really bad occasional headaches and got sick to my stomach every time I ate. I heard people say take it with food, but that just made it worse. By the fourth week, the headache was a non-stop migraine, and I was barely eating. I was so irritable that the slightest thing would set me off. I stopped taking this drug and don't recommend."

• PKa...
• March 9, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am on my third month on this medication. I started with 10 mg per day and now take 20. My copay is so high I will only be able to take this until I exhaust all means of samples given by doctors. For the first time in a year, I can say I feel pretty normal. I had to cut back to 10 mg for a couple of weeks and was crying almost daily. I have nausea, headaches, and cravings for sweets. I have gained three pounds!"

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have maybe experienced sporadic minor relief, but my side effects (nausea, hives, headaches, sudden and explosive vomiting, sexual dysfunction) only get worse. I have never experienced a totally depression-free day on this medicine. I doubt a good doctor would prescribe this expensive medication unless he/she was receiving some sort of incentive from the pharmaceutical company. It is really worthless. I’d be better off taking arsenic, probably."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Have been on antidepressants for 20 years, trying more than I can remember. Was on Cymbalta for 8 years, but it quit working for me. Depression was my biggest problem when I was younger, but now anxiety seems to be the bigger problem. Been on Trintellix for 2 weeks now (first week 5 mg; second week 10 mg). The side effects I can handle are nausea and headaches. The ones I can’t handle are feeling high as a kite every day, brain on warp speed and can’t focus or concentrate. The absolute worst side effects are high blood pressure and itching!! I cannot stop itching! My skin is ripped apart all over my whole body, and my skin feels about 100 degrees constantly! The itching is driving me insane. Seeing a psychiatrist next week. I need help with this!"

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "My nurse practitioner was uninformed. None of the 'NEW' meds worked for me. Every two weeks, she would try another med. This med was the worst. I had headaches constantly with this med. I have the impression she was not educated about the meds and the side effects."

• cyc...
• February 5, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "Started on the 5 mg Brintellix. I usually have low blood pressure, but noticed at first the headache and decided to monitor my blood pressure after taking the med. Usually, the headache started about 3 hours after taking it. I took my blood pressure just to check, and my BP was high at 142/88. My norm is 108/70, that is regular. I don't think I am going to be able to tolerate the discomfort it gives me with the headache and high BP, no nausea. I like the fact that the food cravings I got on other meds are not a factor with this. I was on Lexapro, low dose, for about 7 years, but I started to have tremors when I discontinued. No tremors, but depression and SAD returned, so we tried Brintellix. May have to try something else."

• 513...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Just started taking Trintellix 4 days ago. No nausea, I have had headaches, but that's kinda a common thing for me, so not sure it's the med. But my whole reason for getting on here was to see what people had to say about any side effects of dreams. Many dreams all in one night, and none of them are good. I stopped taking VYBRID because of insomnia. Now with this medicine, so far, it's crazy dreams. I'm hoping this is only temporary. No changes in my anxiety and depression yet.....so I guess I will wait and see as usual."

• Pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "(24 F) I was in a crisis before going into residential treatment, my panic disorder spiraled out of hand. Couldn't eat, couldn't work, couldn't leave my house without having massive panic attacks. I also have a crippling fear of medicine - any, in general, can't even take vitamins. Went into residential treatment, and I had a GeneSight test, it showed Trintellix was in my green zone. I finally got on it and have been for a month and a half now. I stayed on 5 mg for three weeks and now at 10 mg. The 5 mg took the edge off the depression and anxiety, but the 10 has made me feel so much more stable - I feel almost normal again. I am still in residential, so the therapy helps too, but I am so happy I gave it a try. No side effects except some minor constipation and a mild headache that wouldn't go away for a while. I'm excited to see what more time on this med does for me."

• soo...
• November 4, 2016

For Depression "I used to take clomipramine for many years for mild depression and anxiety, and it was working excellently for me. This last year I was in swinging mood, off and on. My doctor suggested trying a new medication. The first day I took it, I felt dizzy and upset stomach with a headache, but at the same time, I felt so energetic and focused. I was happy and willing to tolerate the side effects. The fourth day, everything changed. My body reacted badly to the medicine. I had severe itching all over my body, increased heart rate, short breath with numbness. I called my doctor, and he said it is okay. We have to give the medication more time. Now, after a month on this medication, I feel so tired and irritable and feel like my brain is frozen."

• Psu...
• November 2, 2016

For Depression "If I could give this drug a zero, I would! Doc started me on 5 mg, and I took ONE pill, with a small snack, right before bed. The next day I had nausea so incredibly bad, I couldn't move or function! I was dry-heaving all day, had no appetite, and twice got very clammy and felt like I was going to pass out. If those problems weren't enough, during the evening, I had the most painful headache I've ever had in my life! It also made me feel anxious and irritable. I decided to NEVER take this drug again and am STILL severely nauseous and incredibly fatigued, two days later!"

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For Depression "This drug ruined my life. I'm 19 years old and have had severe headaches and restless legs since I was on it. It's been 2 months since I quit it. I have headaches that only seem to get worse. I know it's rare to have this reaction. But I want to make sure someone out there considering trying this thinks twice. Is it worth ending up like me, where the pain is so high I can't even think, and restless legs that don't stop."

• aun...
• February 25, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "Pros: Great for depression -- best medicine I've ever taken (I've taken everything). Cons: Nausea (okay if taken with food), horrible headaches (they went away after a week or so), and a severe rash. Rash did not appear until 3 weeks after beginning the medication and got much worse when the dose increased from 5 to 10 mg. I see my doc next week. Sadly, I suspect that we will have to discontinue using the medicine because of the rash."

• MiD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "Terrible headaches every day. I tried 5 mg with minimal help for GAD. Doc upped me to 10 mg, but that made me so tired I could barely function, so back down to 5 mg. I was on it for 6 months and gained 20 lbs. Tapering off now with severe mood swings. I’ve tried Effexor XR, Lexapro, and this, and I always have the same results. I don’t think SSRIs are helpful for my anxiety, it always comes with way worse side effects. Now I have to drop this weight and figure out a nondrug solution to my anxiety."

• Jac...
• August 21, 2017

For Depression "I have taken at least 5-6 antidepressants in the past, and their positive effect tends to fade fast, leaving behind nothing but many unwanted pounds. After years unmedicated, I have gone on 10 mg of Brintellix, one dose with breakfast. Nausea, constipation, and headache were brutal the first two weeks. My doctor suggested taking it at noon, and today, at almost 4 weeks, only the nausea is left. I have also lost 4 pounds, which is awesome for me! I feel my mood has significantly improved. I was very irritable, and that has eased off. Nausea is a struggle. Will try saltines when taking it to see if it helps."

• Snq...
• July 5, 2017

For Depression "I think this AD needs to be reformulated. The early upset stomach and headaches are awful. There does not seem to be any real lift from depression, but a muting of your emotions. I just feel flat and listless."