Vortioxetine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sog...
• September 19, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "Took 5 mg on a Friday, it put me to sleep for 12 hours. Took another 5 mg the next day, and my chest seized up, and my left arm lost sensation. I then started having heart arrhythmia every minute to the point where the entire left side of my chest hurt. I had no energy for the entire weekend. I felt depressed, miserable, and in pain. I tried one more time Sunday night before bed, and it woke me up from a dead sleep with chest pain and arrhythmia. I still have chest pain and arrhythmia, and I've been off of it for 1 week. My energy levels are still low, and I get out of breath easily. I have never had any problems cardio-wise in the past."

• Sab...
• July 4, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "I took Trintellix for 6 months. I have had increased panic attacks, sweating, depression, and out-of-control anger outbursts. I did not realize that the drug was also an antipsychotic, which my father has adverse reactions to. I was advised to decrease from 10 mg to 5 mg and then to go off it."

• Ebu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2019

Vortioxetine "Do not take this medicine. I took 10 mg for one year, and 20 mg for another year. After many attempts to wean off of it, I am finally free of this med. For me, I was so sick to my stomach every morning when I took it. I couldn't eat, sometimes I would throw up if I tried. It had me crippled over sometimes. When trying to wean off of it, my depression hit rock bottom. Dark thoughts slammed my brain, but I was so depressed, I had no willpower to do anything. At one point, I had to be hospitalized because of my thoughts. I spent $300-$400 every single month to take this medication."

• ano...
• January 3, 2018

For Depression "I am on this for generalized anxiety disorder with panic. I have been on several different SSRI medications for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac) and have even tried Cymbalta. None of them really helped either my panic or my anxiety, and my panic got so bad that I was having depersonalization/derealization symptoms along with depression. I was so nervous to try Trintellix, but I am so thankful that I did. I started on 10 mg and am now on the 20 mg, and I feel so much better. I no longer have the constant worry/depersonalization/depression symptoms I had in the past and finally feel like myself again. I'm an RN and believe medication can help. Please don't be ashamed of taking something you may need. No one should have to live in constant fear and anxiety."

• 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."

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2021

For Depression "Switched from escitalopram 20 mg to vortioxetine 20 mg because of sexual side effects. It was the best decision of my life. I felt constantly sleepy, down, and emotionally blunted with zero libido on Lexapro, Zoloft, and other SSRIs. Vortioxetine took longer to have an effect, but once it kicked in at the 3-week mark, I finally felt better. Emotions were normalized, and I started feeling much more confident about myself and around other people. It helped my social anxiety in that regard and also made me super motivated and willing to go outside. Interacting with people finally felt easy and natural. I think some of these effects can also be attributed to the previous addition of 300 mg bupropion, which also raises plasma levels of Brintellix and makes it more effective."

• med...
• October 28, 2016

For Depression "United Health would not cover it. $80.00 a month!!!!! and it made me so much worse. I started to have at least 5-10 anxiety attacks a day after I started taking it, and my depression got worse. Evil pill."

• 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."

• bin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2016

For Depression "I've been on this drug for about 3 months at 10 mg. The first 2 weeks or so, I had morning gas. I usually don't experience physical startup effects like others do. Trintellix has helped with social anxiety. It's a more gentle drug. Trintellix, however, made my anhedonia much, much worse, and my sex drive has become nonexistent. I'm freaking castrated now (on 20 mg it's a lot worse). For these reasons, I decided to stop taking it. :("

• Dru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking medication for my depression for over 10 years now. This medicine was prescribed to me about 3 weeks ago. I hate this stuff. It made me extremely tired and down. I was even more depressed than I have been. I had zero motivation to do anything. It was terrible. I didn't experience too much nausea, but I also took it at night right before bed."

• Ras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2017

For Depression "Been on this drug for almost 4 weeks now, and I'm thinking of coming off. I'm taking it for depression, generalized anxiety, and bulimia. The first week was great-it took away most of my appetite, including my binge urges. After about a week, they returned. I still experience some nausea, and so I've been taking the drug before bed. My mood and anxiety aren't any better, and I'm experiencing sexual side effects and feeling more drowsy. I think I may also be experiencing some emotional blunting."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2019

For Depression "In continuation to my last post on 14 Nov 2019, I can say that though the reduction to 2.5 mg per day improved my erectile response, after 3 days I could feel my depression making an ominous return. So yesterday, the 19th Nov 2019, I have returned back to my original dose of 5 mg orally per day. The depression has slightly dissipated. Now I plan to continue with 5 mg daily for the next 6 months, at least."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am sensitive to meds, so I started on 5 mg. Not great, but I thought tolerable. Week 2, up to 10 mg. Awful. Beware. Severe agitation, no sleep, angry, hostile, more depressed and suicidal, severe nausea, facial stiffness, burning sensations. Sent home from the hospital to titrate off it myself. It may work for some, but for me, it was a nightmare."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been taking Trintellix for the past 4-5 days. My anxiety is through the roof, and I'm very angry and sad. I'm on 5 mg, also take Clonazepam, and it's not helping. It's causing trouble in my home life. I'm not sure what to do."

• odi...
• February 11, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I had been on Celexa from 2002 to 2014, 20 mg a day. My doctor told me about Brintellix (now Trintellix), and I switched to it about 2 and a half years ago. Since I am also on Wellbutrin, I only needed 5 mg of Trintellix a day. Can't say that it makes me feel perfect, but it helped with my depression and anxiety disorder. Today is the first day that I have not been on Trintellix, but still on Wellbutrin, and I am feeling about as even keel as I have in a while, not experiencing anxiety or depression at all. I'll see how it goes in the next few days, but if I keep on feeling like this, I will stay just on the Wellbutrin and not go back to Trintellix."

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Good: Hasn't worsened my memory like Lexapro, and it actually has improved it. Still causes emotional blunting, but not as badly as Lexapro. Lowered my anxiety and improved mood... but so have other SSRIs. Bad: Lowered my motivation to the same level as Lexapro. Not helping with my low arousal, mental energy, and motivation. Cymbalta worked the best for mental energy and motivation. I prefer Brintellix over Lexapro, but Cymbalta worked best for me overall. However, Brintellix has improved my memory more so than Lexapro/Cymbalta, which has been very helpful to me."

• Dis...
• January 20, 2016

For Depression "This was, by far, the best med that I have ever taken for my mood and anxiety. I'm bipolar with severe anxiety, and it helped me to feel normal for 8 months. Unfortunately, I developed joint and nerve pain after a month or so, which over time became so severe that I could barely walk and spent most time lying in pain. It took almost 3 months after stopping the med, but I am now physically back to normal (with an extra 30 lbs due to inactivity). My mood plummeted quickly after stopping the med, and I became severely depressed. I have returned to the rough shape I was in before starting the med. Such a shame; I thought it was my miracle drug."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "I had been on Effexor for a couple of years and hated being so tired. Weaned off, which took a year. I had no energy or feelings... zip. I went on to Trintellix, started at 10 mg, went to 20 mg after a month. Hate it! Sooo tired, no motivation, sleep all the time. It’s been 2 months. Dr. wants me to go one more month to give it a real try... so over this pill! Oh, and the diarrhea... seriously!!"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2019

For Depression "Has been decent for depression and anxiety. After the intense nausea subsided, I felt content with everything, and my anxiety was almost nonexistent. However, due to the complete lethargy and apathy it causes, I have to discontinue. I have lost all motivation and have become disconnected from reality. Major pros were that it does not come with the brain fog, emotional numbness, and sexual side effects of other SSRIs."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "It's my second week on it since being weaned off Wellbutrin. My anxiety is completely gone, and I have my playful personality back, which I am so grateful for. But there are major downsides for me: 1. Intense itching all over my body, which I am taking antihistamines for (which barely help, tbh) 2. Hypersomnia and daytime sleepiness, general oversleeping 3. Loss of motivation and focus 4. Huge appetite. The oversleeping is the worst one side effect, which I can't quite manage, so I'll have to change to something different, especially since it's affecting my studying. I am sad to be leaving this antidepressant."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2016

For Depression "Started taking Trintellix about a month ago, used to take 10 mg in the morning but found it made me sleepy and dozy (especially when driving), so switched to taking it before I went to bed. At first, found it helped me sleep better, but now wake up sweating and get bad headaches a few times a night. I also found suicidal thoughts increased, and I actually started to feel more depressed than before I started taking it. It did make me initially feel better and more able to cope, but as time goes on, I'm actually degrading back to my pre-med self. Doctor is no real help, I can't get to see him for another 7 weeks as he has a big patient load. Thinking about reducing the dose to 5 mg a 24-hour period to see if I improve. I hope I do - I can't go on like this."

• Gib...
• January 17, 2017

For Depression "I have been on this medication for 5 months, my doctor put me on it to help with anxiety. I would say it helped with the anxiety, but the medication put me in a bad depressed state, feeling hopeless and feeling lost. I felt like I was living my life in a dream. I started off at 10 mg, worked my way toward 20 mg. When I got to 20 mg, it gave me very bad insomnia, I could not sleep to save my life. I know this medication may work for some, however, no luck for me. To me, it's been poison. Over the past 3 weeks, I weaned myself off it. Today I am at day 3 without the drug, and I seriously feel a massive difference. I feel like my brain is working again. I have had the best 2 sleeps a person could ask for, I feel refreshed!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I suffer from anxiety and depression. Doc suggested this drug, crying daily, filled with terror. The only thing it did was stop the daily crying and provide an odd clarity. Severe depression at week 5, after having gone up to 10 mgs after 2 weeks of 5 mgs. So many side effects: nausea, headache, and terrible depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, diarrhea, constipation, ear ringing, withdrawn. I will note that I am very sensitive to antidepressants, have tried mirtazapine, Seroquel, one day of Pristiq and one day of Cymbalta-all of which made me incredibly anxious, panic-stricken, irrational. Amitriptyline is the only one that I have tried at a low dose for IBS that agreed with me, up until migraine auras in week."

• NIL...
• September 18, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "For me, this has been the worst medicine in the world. I took it for four days and thought I would go crazy. I hate going to the hospital, but I couldn't handle it any longer. Wow, I felt so depressed, so sad, terrible, but my friend told me to stop this medicine and drink hot tea, black tea. I did four times, wow, I felt like another person."

• NIL...
• September 18, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "For me, this has been the worst medicine in the world. I took it for four days and thought I would go crazy. I hate going to the hospital, but I couldn't handle it any longer. Wow, I felt so depressed, so sad, terrible, but my friend told me to stop this medicine and drink hot tea, black tea. I did four times, wow, I felt like another person."