What is Trintellix?

Trintellix is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It works by affecting the balance of chemicals like serotonin in the brain that may contribute to depression. Trintellix is available in tablet form in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg strengths.

Side Effects

Trintellix can cause both common and serious side effects.

Common Side Effects Include:

Nausea
Constipation
Vomiting

Serious Side Effects and Interactions:

Allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Changes in mood or behavior: anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, and thoughts of suicide. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors appear to be significantly more likely in adolescents and young adults. In studies, individuals aged 25 years and older tended to report fewer suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Additional monitoring and support may be recommended for adolescents and young adults, particularly early in therapy and after any subsequent dose changes.
Serotonin syndrome: symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, and muscle stiffness. Serotonin syndrome is significantly more likely to occur if an individual is also taking other medications that influence serotonin levels. Before starting any new medication, including Trintellix, it’s important to talk with your healthcare providers about all your current treatments, including prescription and over-the-counter products, to ensure they can be used safely together.
Vision problems: eye pain, redness, or swelling.
Low sodium levels: confusion, memory problems, hallucinations, slurred speech, severe weakness, or feeling unsteady.
Easy bruising or unusual bleeding, including coughing up blood. Bruising and bleeding are made more likely if other medications that have a blood thinning effect are also being used. In addition to medications like warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or DOACs (e.g., Eliquis), it’s also important to note that NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) can also increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. These effects are increased when these medications are combined with Trintellix.

For any new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosage

The adult dose for treating depression is often as follows:

Initial dose: 10 mg taken once daily.
Maintenance dose: 5 to 20 mg once daily.
Maximum dose: 20 mg per day.

Dosage may vary based on individual needs, and your doctor may adjust your dose over time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Trintellix requires consistent daily use over time to become and remain effective. Do not stop taking Trintellix suddenly without consulting your doctor. While not addictive, stopping the medication abruptly requires the body to rapidly adjust to changing neurotransmitter levels. As the body adjusts, symptoms like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or mood swings may occur.