But I am having a problem with constipation. I hope it goes away because I love how Trintellix has helped my anxiety/panic attacks and depression. I would hate to have to quit taking it because of this side effect because it has lifted me out of anxiety/depression better than any other antidepressant. Hopefully this side effect will subside. Anyone else have this problem when starting on Trintellix?
I also take Buspar with it.
Does Trintellix treat anxiety and depression? It has helped me.
Question posted by Anonymous on 13 Oct 2018
Last updated on 15 October 2018
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Answers
Rathmullan
13 Oct 2018
Hello IM:
Constipation is a common side effect of Trintellix and may be dosage dependent.
One thing I've done to help out the GI side effects associated with Viibryd is to take a daily probiotic that also contains contains fiber. We should all be taking that anyway. Walgreens makes one that works fine and you can buy them online now at a sale price for which you can get 2 boxes (240 capsules total) for $21.
Hope that helps. All the best and take care for now.
Inactive
13 Oct 2018
I take probiotics daily and other supplements such as slippery elm, also Miralax and Dulcolax recently to overcome the constipation. Ever since my dose of Trintellix was increased to 20mgs, I became severely constipated even while using all the above treatments to keep constipation at bay. I reduced to 10mgs, then went to 10mgs every other day, and no Trintellix for the last week, but still very constipated. I was doing fine before starting Trintellix, I think it became a problem after I had it in my system for 6 weeks. I think it built up and backed me up. Now I am still trying to get regulated again. Two years ago I had a bout of diverticulitis after 2 months of a different antidepressant. Now here I am again, that is why I am concerned that the antidepressant is not being tolerated by my digestive system?
Stephen Treloar
14 Oct 2018
Diverticulitis is an issue in the large intestine and should not normally be affected by many medications except that in Trintellix, one quarter of it is eliminated in your feces and so may pose an issue. I have always found Metamucil to be effective for drug induced constipation; it is predictable and the dosage is easily adjusted to find what amount works for you. I am not a fan of chemical laxatives.
Good luck.
Inactive
14 Oct 2018
Thank you for your comments. I would like to try to continue taking Trintellix, although I quit taking it last week due to the above issues. So if I were to decide to continue taking it, will Metamucil counteract any constipation that Trintellix causes me in the meantime? Or should I just consider it to not be a good antidepressant for me? Unfortunately, there are no other ADs that I would choose to be on, due to my experiences with so many of them in past years. I didn't even ask my Dr. for an antidepressant. I told her I was recently having severe anxiety attacks along with some panic attacks due to some medical procedures that I was facing. She prescribed Trintellix and continue the buspar prescription to treat the anxiety/panic situation. When I had my last appointment, she told me just to either lower my dose, take it every other day, or just to stop taking it altogether. She was leaving the decision up to me.
So it's either Trintellix and (colon problems which I hope will subside soon ?), or no antidepressant at all, just counting on my buspirone to continue to come through for me to treat my anxiety? Argh! I only took Miralax and Bentyl a couple of years ago per gastroenterologist's recommendation after my first bout with diverticulitis, and only temporarily, until my problem cleared up. I recently read that Bentyl (an antispasmodic) could cause constipation as well (Great!) It did take a few months to clear up. I have been successfully taking probiotics and slippery elm and other supplements intermittently since then, with no problems, until this bout starting up (coincidentally ?) after being almost three months in to taking Trintellix. I want to stop the Miralax. My local pharmacist suggested Dulcolax, and I took it a few times, but do not choose to continue that one either, as I agree with your opinion of not taking chemical laxatives. Any opinions or suggestions at this point would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Inactive
15 Oct 2018
Stephen: I am open to any more advice you may have for me regarding this issue.
Thanks
Stephen Treloar
15 Oct 2018
Hi, I would be very reluctant to quit a medication regimen that works for you over an issue that should be treatable (i.e. the constipation). I just like Metamucil in that it is possible to double or triple up on it if the recommended dose does not work. Finding a laxative that should work is far easier than finding a combination of psychiatric medications that work in my opinion.
Inactive
15 Oct 2018
I only wonder if Trintellix is the reason I seem to have developed another bout of diverticulitis. It takes a long time to clear up. I would like to avoid it at all costs, otherwise I would not even consider quitting such a good medication. I am at a crossroads on my decision making about my condition for now. Thanks for taking the time to give me input on this, I appreciate it!
Stephen Treloar
15 Oct 2018
Diverticulitis is most definitely something you should take seriously in your considerations as complications can be very nasty (I have a friend who needed a section of his bowel removed for example). You could always seek a second opinion and/or investigate foods that are known to be an issue and avoid them. Either way, constipation is not something I would like to risk with an active bowel infection.
Inactive
15 Oct 2018
Hi Stephen: I contacted my doctor and she called me in a prescription for 5 mg. Trintellix, which was one of the suggestions she made at my last appointment. I think it might be a good compromise. I will let you know how it turns out. In the meantime, I will continue my natural supplements and changes in diet, and hoping for a good outcome. Thank you for your responses.
Related topics
depression, constipation, anxiety, panic disorder, trintellix
Further information
- Trintellix uses and safety info
- Trintellix prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Trintellix (detailed)
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