Pronunciation: trin’-TELL-ix
Generic name: vortioxetine [ VOR-tye-OX-e-teen ]
Dosage form: tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antidepressants

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Mar 13, 2025.

What is Trintellix?

Trintellix (vortioxetine) is a prescription medicine that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced.

Trintellix is an antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Trintellix is supplied as an immediate-release tablet in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg strengths.

In Europe, Trintellix is marketed under the brand name Brintellix, while in the United States, it is sold as Trintellix. In May 2016, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Lundbeck announced that Brintellix will be marketed in the United States under the new name Trintellix, effective June 2016. The change comes after receiving reports of name confusion in the marketplace between Brintellix and the anti-blood clotting therapy Brilinta (ticagrelor). The formulation, indication, dosage forms, and strengths of Trintellix remain the same as Brintellix.

There is no Trintellix generic available.

Trintellix side effects

Common Trintellix side effects

Common Trintellix side effects may include:

• Nausea 26%
• Diarrhea 7%
• Dry mouth 7%
• Dizziness 6%
• Constipation 5%
• Vomiting 5%
• Gas (flatulence) 3%
• Itchy skin (pruritus) 2%

These common side effects occurred in the 6 to 8-week placebo-controlled studies in patients taking Trintellix 10mg. The frequency of side effects increased with higher doses.

Trintellix Nausea Side Effects: What to Expect

Nausea is the most common side effect of Trintellix, and its occurrence increases with higher doses. It is typically mild to moderate in intensity, with a median duration of about two weeks. Studies show that nausea is more common in females than males.

Many patients experience nausea within the first few days of starting Trintellix, with 15–20% reporting nausea after one to two days of treatment. By the end of the 6- to 8-week placebo-controlled studies, approximately 10% of patients taking Trintellix 10 mg to 20 mg per day still reported nausea.

If you're experiencing nausea while taking Trintellix, talk to your doctor about possible ways to manage this side effect.

Serious side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Trintellix: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, being more talkative than usual;
• vision changes, eye pain, eye redness or swelling;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, coughing up blood; or
• low sodium level (may be more likely to occur in older adults - confusion, memory problems, hallucinations, slurred speech, severe weakness, feeling unsteady.

Serotonin Syndrome 

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as:

• Agitation
• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Sweating
• Shivering
• fast heart rate
• muscle stiffness
• Twitching
• Loss of coordination
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

The risk of serotonin syndrome is increased when Trintellix is used together with other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, meperidine, methadone, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin. Serotonin syndrome can also occur when Trintellix is used alone.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Do not use Trintellix if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others. After you stop taking Trintellix you must wait at least 21 days before you start taking an MAO inhibitor.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Do not give Trintellix to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. This medicine is not approved for use in children.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Trintellix if you are allergic to vortioxetine.

After you stop taking Trintellix you must wait at least 21 days before you start taking an MAO inhibitor.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with vortioxetine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Trintellix is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• bipolar disorder (manic depression), or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;
• glaucoma;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• bleeding problems; or
• low levels of sodium in your blood.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Trintellix is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Taking Trintellix in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, serious lung problems, or other complications in the baby. However, stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop Trintellix without asking your doctor.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take Trintellix?

Take Trintellix exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Trintellix with or without food.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Trintellix suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg/day

Comments:
-Patients should be screened for bipolar disorder, mania, and hypomania prior to starting treatment.
-Patients who do not tolerate higher doses may be maintained on 5 mg orally once a day.

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Usual Adult Dose for Major Depressive Disorder:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 5 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg/day

Comments:
-Patients should be screened for bipolar disorder, mania, and hypomania prior to starting treatment.
-Patients who do not tolerate higher doses may be maintained on 5 mg orally once a day.

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Trintellix?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What other drugs will affect Trintellix?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with vortioxetine, especially:

• any other antidepressant;
• buspirone;
• fentanyl, tramadol;
• lithium;
• St. John's wort, tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• migraine headache medicine (triptans);
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
• seizure medicine - carbamazepine, phenytoin.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with vortioxetine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Trintellix Coupon: How to Save on Your Prescription

With a Trintellix coupon (Savings Card), eligible patients may pay as little as $10 for a 30- or 90-day prescription. To qualify, you must:

• Have commercial or private insurance
• Have a valid Trintellix prescription
• Reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territories
• Be aged 18 or older 

Who Is Not Eligible for the Trintellix Coupon?

• Patients whose prescriptions are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal/state programs
• Cash-paying patients

Additional Savings & Assistance

If you don’t qualify for the Trintellix Savings Card, you may still be eligible for the Takeda Help At Hand program, which provides medication assistance for patients with financial need.

For more details on Trintellix coupons, copay assistance, discounts, and patient support programs, visit the Trintellix Prices, Coupons, Copay Cards & Patient Assistance page, and check the Terms and Conditions for the Trintellix Savings Card

For general inquiries or to request a replacement Trintellix Savings Card, call 1-866-279-0287.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: vortioxetine hydrobromide
Inactive ingredients: mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate and film coating consisting of hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, iron oxide red (5 mg and 20 mg) and iron oxide yellow (10 mg)

Company

Distributed and Marketed by:
Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Lexington, MA 02421
Marketed by: Lundbeck, Deerfield, IL 60015

Distributed By: Cardinal Health

Popular FAQ

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Trintellix only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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