Vortioxetine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Zin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 13, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "After being on bupropion for years, I was relapsing and my general anxiety was very high. My psychiatrist recommended I switch to vortioxetine. Major reduction in my overall anxiety within 2 weeks on 10 mg. As I reduced bupropion, depression worsened. We upped vortioxetine to 20. At 100 bupropion, my ADD worsened, and so we upped that. I was hoping to get rid of morning clonazepam, but vortioxetine didn't prevent my bedtime panic attacks. Now I am on all three and feeling great. I sleep a lot - not sleepy during the day - > 8 hours a night. When I exercise regularly, I sleep 9-10 hours a night. I feel like I am making up for all the lost sleep from med school and residency. Hahaha, I too have vivid dreams. It hasn't impacted my sex drive. As noted before, everyone is different. I am on 30 mg now and I've been taking it for > 6 mo. I forgot to mention very bad constipation - or worsened from bupropion. Took months to figure out what to take. In the end, twice a week Miralax."

• Abc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2019

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Started with 7.5 mg and had a weird positive boost the first 3-5 days, and then it settled out to the same way I was feeling before. At week 3-4, started increased anxiety, worsening depression, and impulsive rage/anger. Never experienced rage from an antidepressant before, and I've been on 15+ different antidepressants. After one particular rage-filled event, I started titrating down best I could and now off of it. Anxiety and rage went away within 2 days of stopping this medication. I've never experienced anything like this. Could be a miracle drug for someone else, but it certainly didn't work for me. Also not covered by my insurance. Was trialing with samples from the doctor's office. Just be cautious, like with every medication, of the adverse side effects."

• Gee...
• June 1, 2016

For Depression "Horrible. I started on 5 mg. I didn't have any side effects until week 2. I started to have worse anxiety and depression. I often felt like driving my car into the river or throwing myself down the stairs. I never had any feelings of harming myself until I started taking this med. My dr told me to go up to 10 mg, and after 3 days of this, I was doubled over in pain. I refused to continue taking it and tapered off, 5 mg every 2 then 3 days, and then I stopped. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have never bothered to write a review. I've been on 10 mg of Trintellix for about 4 months, and I have never had any side effects, and I feel much better! I have tried so many antidepressants in the past and couldn't tolerate the side effects. I feel the same as normal but just happier. I am going through some really awful things in my life and will try increasing to 20 mg to see if it helps even more. But, for those like me who are sensitive to drugs, this one works for me. I'm a petite woman in my late 40s. I get headaches, feel nervous or weird, and sick to my stomach on most drugs. This has caused no problems, and I don't feel numb either. I took Prozac years ago for a year to get rid of panic attacks, and it helped with that, but I felt numb."

• 4th...
• June 23, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have tried Lexapro, Zoloft, Calexa, and Brintellix. My body does not tolerate meds well. Lexapro was so intense that I took it for only two days and suffered almost every possible side effect. Zoloft caused nausea, weight loss, and I was still having panic attacks. Calexa was good, but I had increased migraines. Now I am trying Brintellix, but my anxiety is back. I am crying without a direct reason. I am extremely tired. I also have an upset stomach. I suppose I will have to decide which side effects I can tolerate and just 'live' with the nuisance. At this point, I don't want to cry every day. I want to have energy and enjoy life again."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2021

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Trintellix, switched from Viibryd about 3 to 4 months now. It was hard switching over, I went through a lot of emotions: crying, laughing, anger. It was strange. Then, for about a week, I felt 'nothing', I was flat. No emotions. About a week long of being emotionless, I felt normal again. This was being on 10 mg. Then I started to feel worthless, etc., still have anxiety, and I still have to take my clonazepam for it. My doctor upped my medication to 20 mg, I feel a bit anxious, kind of edgy. Is this normal? I would maybe expect it to be since he doubled it, but I have been on 20 for 5 days now, and I feel like tapering back to 10. Anyone have this experience going up?"

• BBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Being a 19 yr cancer survivor with negative effects of chemo and radiation, as well as having complete thyroid removal, Epstein Barr, fibromyalgia, and extreme anxiety. I will say I haven't felt this great since before cancer treatments. Trintellix was effective within 2 days."

• xo1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2016

For Depression "I started on 5 mg. A little nauseous the first two weeks and didn't notice a change. Bumped up to 10 mg a day for two weeks. I noticed I was having a hard time reaching orgasm, but besides that, things were getting better. Bumped up to 20 mg a day, and I've been on that for four months. All side effects have disappeared along with my social anxiety. I feel like myself again. I went to trade school. I've done so much in the past four months that I couldn't even begin to consider doing before. I don't cry as often. I feel more focused at work. I can converse with people. I feel confident... and... happy. For the 1st time in 14 years. This medication is magic. It is worth a try!! Costs too much. $110 per month... but it has changed my life 100%"

• dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "My Dr. started me on 10 mg for a month, and then raised it to 20 mg. I was having general anxiety and some depression. It does seem to have helped, though no cure. The psychological side effects are much better for me than with other antidepressants, which sometimes caused odd feelings of separation from the world around me and a 'foggy' state. I also have lost weight since beginning Brintellix. There is a huge reduction in sex drive and response. Other than that, it's a positive experience. Cialis would help with the sexual performance issues, but I'm unable to take it since it causes severe back pain for me. After about 5 months, I'm not sure I'm willing to stay on it. Also, it's expensive, even with the $150 per month discount coupon."

• Ror...
• November 12, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I had sudden large amounts of projectile vomiting the 5 weeks I was on this med. Other untoward side effects include headache, eye pain, visual changes, emotionally labile, very anxious, depressed, very tired, no energy, racing thoughts."

• Azi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2021

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Trintellix 3 weeks ago. Initial dose 5 mg up to 15 mg in the third week. It's the worst antidepressant I have ever tried. This is what I've been having when I switched to Trintellix: I am so dizzy, racing thoughts, and my anxiety is much, much worse. I can't eat. I'm even scared to leave the house because I'm so afraid to throw up or have intense diarrhea. I can't wait to see my psychiatrist next week to stop this madness."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2021

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication, Trintellix, is the worst medication I have ever taken. I took it starting November 9, I only took it for 5 days before I ended up passing out on it. I started off at 5 mg pills, and during the time I took them, I felt like I was high on speed. My pupils were wide, I was restless, paranoid, hallucinating, couldn’t sleep, had zero appetite, and was nauseous. Eventually, it all became too much, and I passed out from one of the many severe panic attacks it gave me. The withdrawal, even after only taking them for 5 days, was terrifying. It felt like I was coming down off street drugs. It took almost 2 weeks to get back to myself! Never again. Literally, the worst nightmare of my entire life."

• Mar...
• September 18, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "I started at a 1/4 dose (2.5 mg) and couldn't make it past day 6. I didn't have the vomiting that others report, but it destroyed my appetite and then gave me diarrhea. Fastest 5 lbs I ever lost. But moreover, it felt like I'd taken a bad amphetamine. It made me INCREDIBLY anxious; heart racing; waking at 5 AM in a panic. I've taken SSRIs before-this was something more/different. There were a few glimmers around day 5 when I felt my mood was better (kind of like the kick you get from a cup of coffee), but the rest was unmanageable."

• Hav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2016

For Depression "This is the only drug that I have found in my life that has worked. It was hard to get started on this med. Itching and hives for 2 weeks, then 1 month of diarrhea (basically just passing water), nausea (but not extreme). Start at a low dose. Seriously, I do not see how anyone can hold a job while starting this medication. I have a MTHFR gene mutation, and I am sensitive to medications, so take that into consideration. It has helped a lot with depression but not with anxiety. It has been the only drug that has NOT caused increased anxiety and agitation. Psychological side effects are much more bothersome to me when trying to get on a med than the physical side effects. It was darn near chemotherapy. Still increasing the dose slowly."

• Ska...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "If I have to be on an antidepressant, and I do, then Trintellix is the one I've had the best experience with. I'm still on a 20 mg dose and I feel leveled, a little bit anxious, but otherwise very little spiraling or anything like that which I had in the past. I've had issues with many other SSRI/SNRI class antidepressants in the past (primarily anxiety and sexual side effects). But Trintellix seems to be very, very manageable side effect-wise. Would be $50 with my insurance copay, but I signed up for a card on a website and I pay $10 a month now, so not bad."

• KC6...
• February 10, 2017

For Depression "I had been on generic Lexapro 10 mg for about 18 months, and it treated my depression well, but I gained almost 40 pounds, was a bit sleepy, and was experiencing sexual side effects. I was scared to try something else, but the weight gain was just too much, especially since it seemed to continue. My doctor gave me Trintellix 10 mg samples, which I've taken for a month, and what a difference! I no longer feel sleepy all of the time, and the difficulty in achieving orgasm is gone. As for the weight issue, I'll have to see if it helps. I feel much more 'normal' than on Lexapro as far as energy and mental focus. The only downside is I do feel more anxious and have more nervous energy, so I don't know how well this drug would treat anxiety."

• Mis...
• November 20, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Life-changing experience. I have been on many different medications on and off over the years, and Trintellix is honestly the only thing that worked for me. Pros: I was able to eat again! My depression and anxiety had caused me to lose over 30 pounds in just a few months, and I looked sickly. After 2 weeks on Trintellix, I got my appetite back. My anxiety reduced, but didn't fully subside. I had Xanax for emergencies when Trintellix couldn't control my anxiety. I was still able to feel emotions and never had sexual dysfunction. It helped me get my sleeping back on track, and I was able to establish a normal sleep schedule. Cons: Cost, thank goodness my doctor had a lot of samples because I could not afford the monthly cost every month."

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "It's known within the pharmaceutical industry that 5% of patients will suffer 90% of side effects from any given drug. That's me, and an MTBI bumped me up to the elite 2.5% who get side effects never heard of. But Trintellix was supposed to be good for depression from brain injury, so I gave it a try. No gastric symptoms, but on day 2, I woke up not knowing what day it was. Seven hours after the second dose, heightened anxiety and a sense of 'speeding,' without the edge, took hold. Then, I found myself annoyed that Shaw's was out of everything I usually bought there-until the egg case in the wrong place alerted me I was in Stop & Shop. No memory of deciding to go there. Bu-bye Trintellix. Just glad I only paid $3.10 for it."

• Smi...
• October 23, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Zoloft for over 10 years, suddenly started feeling really depressed in January and very anxious. Anxiety was crippling and depression got worse. It lasted for 9 months! I finally changed to Trintellix. I was too anxious to change medicine and read every review. I was armed with nausea tablets. I have been on it for over a month now, 2 weeks, 10mg, ZERO nausea. I take it at night, just before bedtime. I felt better within days, however, I had nightmares. These stopped within 2 weeks. I was on 50mg Zoloft, then upped to 100, then to 150, to see if that would work, but did not work at all, went down to 50 again. Started Trintellix without weaning off Zoloft, as the doctor said this is what I could do, being on only 50mg. I am now on 20mg, have lots of energy, libido returning after 10 years. I am focused. So excited. Had the worst 9 months, can finally see the light. Ride out the first two weeks of nightmares, and once you get on 20mg, it's a game changer. Best of luck."

• JJ1...
• October 2, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Started on 5 mg for one week. I immediately noticed my anxiety spike. I called my doctor. He said to continue with the medication and take more Xanax. I moved up to 10 mg in week two, and my anxiety got even worse. I began taking more Xanax to combat the increased anxiety, and it is making me sick. Now I'm more depressed because the anxiety is crippling me. I am going back to my doctor tomorrow to discuss options. I have tried a number of medications recently, all with poor results. Nothing has made my anxiety spike as high as Trintellix, though. So far, the anxiety and some sour stomach are the only side effects I've experienced. I should probably get off this medication, but do not know if I can withstand another medication change."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2022

Vortioxetine for Depression "Well, this is the 7th antidepressant I've tried over almost 10 years, and unfortunately, it just doesn't help me. I'd read that a lot of people had nausea, so I started out only taking 5 mg (half a pill) and felt fine apart from utter exhaustion 30 minutes after taking it. I had to dose myself up with caffeine, and then I'd be okay. Apart from that, I felt even more irritable than usual, everything annoyed me. I had a headache all the time (which is not unusual for me but became even more frequent during this time), and my already very high level of anxiety and nervous energy worsened. After 5 days, I upped the dose to the full 10 mg. Still no nausea at all, the post-dose exhaustion went away, most of the extra irritability went away, and some of the extra nervous energy calmed down. But...I'm still irritable in general. My anxiety, which takes the form of constant fear and dread, is no better. I still have these headaches. I still have no motivation or enjoyment/interest in anything."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2021

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've spent the last 16 months trying the spectrum of meds for anxiety. As a Hail Mary, my doc prescribed Trintellix. And it too is a no-go. The first several doses gave me debilitating nausea. When I ate a heavy meal when taking a dose, the nausea seemed to improve slightly. But the other side effects were unacceptable. I feel anxious beyond belief, frustrated constantly, borderline manic, and to make things worse, I'm always itchy. I can go to work but can't do my job properly. I'm crying every day over the dumbest things, like spilled coffee. I don't feel like myself anymore. Discontinued Trintellix and will never go back."

• Ilo...
• March 19, 2017

For Depression "I've been depressed for about 14 years. I was on Wellbutrin along with Cymbalta. I was doing well, but sleeping a lot. My NP suggested Trintellix. She weaned me off of Cymbalta and started me on 5 mg of Trintellix for a week, then upped to 10 for 2 weeks, then started on 20 mg. I immediately started having terrible mood swings, with anger and irritability. I have since gone back to 10 mg, however, I cry at the drop of a hat, I have no energy, I have muscle aches, and I have a terrible neck ache. My anxiety level has been through the roof and I have no appetite. I believe this medication has also given me diarrhea. This medication is horrible."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2022

Vortioxetine for Depression "I had a pretty great experience with Venlafaxine, which basically worked immediately when I started taking them. However, after a couple of years, I grew intolerant to them. My Dr. suggested Trintellix - and gawd, do I wish I hadn't tried them. I eventually went as high as 20 mg. They gave me insane nausea, vomiting, seasickness, and intense mood swings, if you can even call it that, because those mood swings were more a combo of all negative emotions: depression, hopelessness, anger, anxiety, panic, which caused me to have some severe suicidal urges just because I desperately needed it to stop. It was the absolute opposite experience of Venlafaxine, which had made me practically high and euphoric when I started on them. Now that I'm no longer on these demon pills, I still struggle with a sensitivity to nausea that can cause me to vomit, which I can't seem to get rid of. Perhaps they've changed me forever, and that really bums me out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor started me on this drug after Prozac (which gave me terrible side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, anxiety) and Cipralex/Lexapro (which didn't change my mood at all) both didn't work for me. I was about four months shy of my 18th birthday, but, according to my doctor, it was alright since I've achieved my 'adult body.' This medication is, by far, the best one I've tried. No side effects at all, and a great improvement to mood. I'm giving it a 9/10 only because it didn't cheer me up the way Prozac did (despite all the side effects) but that could be due to my lifestyle and not the medication."