Vortioxetine and Itching: What Users Say (Page 3)

• gee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "Started at 10 mg for 2 weeks and took 20 mg for 4 weeks. Some nausea and itchy skin the first 2 weeks, then no noticeable side effects. However, I did experience elevated blood pressure and severe ringing in both ears but was also taking a large dose of prednisone at that time for cluster headaches. Stopped taking everything, and BP returned to normal. Before the BP spike, this stuff was working exactly as stated. Have tried to restart but vomit every time."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have generalized anxiety disorder with a hint of depression. I started out on 5 mg of Trintellix along with Buspar and Klonopin, then after 2 weeks, I went up to 10 mg of Trintellix. I take the medicine in the morning, and within 10 mins, I'm having severe abdominal pain, dry heaving, migraines, and itching everywhere! I've been on Klonopin for years, so I know it's not that. Buspar makes me feel crazy, so the only thing it could be is the Trintellix. I just assume stop rather than take any more and feel this much physical pain. It will make you crazy in itself. I do not recommend this to anyone."

• sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Trintellix for over a year. I don't think it is the best medication I have been on (I have tried several), but it certainly helps. I do experience side effects if I miss a dose, especially for longer than 48 hours. I usually get very headachey and itchy, everywhere. Maybe this is a good sign, as it indicates maybe it does something. I don't feel very drastic, life-altering relief, but I do believe that if I weren't taking it, things would be much worse. I don't think you feel the support it provides in a strong way, but in a more subtle, long-term way."

• god...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was horribly nauseous and threw up every day for the first month. The itching was horrible too for the first month as well, but I suffered through, and Brintellix has been a miracle drug for me. I have been taking it for over 4 months now. I am slowly feeling the depression creep back in. I am not sure if I need the dosage increased or if it is just everything I am having to deal with in my life right now. I am currently taking 10 mg at night. No side effects at all now."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "I had some real trouble with depression on Lexapro that I had been taking for years. So the doctor prescribed Trintellix 10 mg as a new drug, which he said is well tolerated and does not have sexual side effects. I am an eternal optimist and thought I would not experience any side effects: I have itchy skin, nausea, and had diarrhea for the first two weeks. I started with 5 mg and then went to 10 mg the second week. So I have been on 10 mg for 4 weeks now. The depression seems worse now, and I feel restless. A bit more anxiety too. I am going to discontinue this now as I have given it a fair shot, and it did not work. Other medications have not worked either, so now I am going to the gym every morning and trying to eat better and hope for the best."

• Lau...
• September 23, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I suspected sexual side effects from Lexapro, so my doctor switched me to Brintellix. It made me itch like crazy every single night, even though I took it in the morning. There wasn't a rash or anything, so I just felt like I was losing my mind, and my doctor hadn't heard of the side effect. I also got pretty nauseous on a few occasions. It was not nearly as effective as Lexapro for depression. While on Brintellix, I found myself getting devastated by things that would have been minor disappointments while I was on Lexapro. On Brintellix, I cried a few times at work. I got really frustrated with people over nothing. I lost a lot of motivation. I wasn't myself. I've heard it works for other people, but not me."

• AsC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2022

Vortioxetine for Depression "I started Trintellix for depression approximately 4 weeks ago, 5 mg once a day. Good God, the itching! Thought it was just seasonal dry skin or my psoriasis, but nope! I itch especially when I'm trying to sleep. I'm trying to avoid taking antihistamines every day due to the risk of dementia, per my family history. Has anyone overcome this side effect? Other than the awful itching, I'd say my depression and subsequent massive fatigue and listlessness are starting to improve. It's a very slow... ITCHY process. But yeah. Did the itching ever stop for y'all?? P.S. I am still using trial packages of Trintellix 5 mg, kindly given to me courtesy of my psychiatrist. I will update with more info relating to cost as I'm able. Blessings and healing to all, A."

• Out...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 25, 2017

For Depression "After trying several other pills and combinations of medicine, this changed my life. I had depression, ADD, and anxiety. With this one at 20 mg, my depression is gone, my ADD is better, and I can focus better. I can get up in the morning and take my dog out for walks, which was impossible before because of my anxiety. When I started taking this, the side effects were bad. I itched throughout, I couldn't sleep, and I was nauseous all the time. In two weeks' time that passed, but when switching from 10 mg to 20 mg, they came back. After two weeks, the side effects were again gone. In long-term use, I haven't noticed any side effects after the first few weeks. I think this is the best medication for me."

• hut...
• November 30, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been taking this medication for approximately 5 months. It lifted me out of a severe depression. Had been on Effexor for 5 years. The side effects for me are extreme itching and sexual side effects."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been on Trintellix for 7 weeks along with Buspirone for anxiety, which is my biggest problem. About 1 month in on Trintellix, I got hives and itchy skin too. Wasn't sure what that was about. The hives seem to be going away slowly, not all gone yet, but the itchy skin remains. It's manageable, just annoying. Not really sure this medication is helping me. Right now, just trying to get/keep the anxiety under control."

• gca...
• September 11, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "As I'm on it only for 3 weeks, my rating goes mostly for the minimal side effects. I tried several other antidepressants, and this didn't create sexual dysfunction. I had an annoying itching all over my body, which went off after the first week. Be patient and don't give up if you find you can tolerate the side effects for a few weeks. Now I can say I have zero side effects. Unfortunately, though, I cannot say it is helping with my depression as of yet. I will wait another week."

• Flo...
• August 17, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "Been on 10 mg Trintellix for 9 days after weaning off Zoloft 150 mg over a month. Really feel much better on Trintellix, but I have itchy skin and hives. I got hives on one side of my face the first day, now they move around. Take hydroxyzine, which has helped some. Going to stop Trintellix and start back on Zoloft to see if hives go away per Dr. suggestion. Has anyone else gotten hives, and do they go away over time? If I knew they would go away, I would stick with it a little longer."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "Have been on citalopram for the past 10 years!! Dr. suggested I give Trintellix a try!! Been on it for 1 week, day 1-3, dizzy and nauseous, day 4-7, started with a small amount of itchy skin!! Has increased to the point where I feel like my body is crawling with bugs, took antihistamine on Dr.'s approval!! Soooo irritable that the rest of my family would love me to move elsewhere!! Been on the verge of tears constantly!! Sweating all the time and last night so worried about these meds that I didn't sleep at all!! Actually could not figure out when I was sleeping and when I wasn't!! Called doc and going back to cipralex!!!!!"

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2019

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Been on 5 mg Trintellix for four months. Don't feel bad, don't feel great as far as mood goes. Been hard to keep up with chores, not really motivated. What brought me here is the hair loss, I am getting large hairballs every time I brush. No bald spots-yet. The itching is intense too, had no idea it was the Trintellix. Sigh, always something."

• EBi...
• December 15, 2016

For Depression "I took this drug for about a year and then had to quit when I lost my job and my new job didn't have very good health coverage. After being off the drug for about a year, my depression was worsening (would start sobbing over the smallest things), and I decided to restart the medication despite the cost. Having been off the medication for a year now, I don't really remember if I initially had any side effects - though it's worth noting that I started at 5 mg and worked my way up to 20 mg, whereas this time I'm just restarting the 20 mg. I'm almost a week into it, and I'm experiencing constipation and itchy skin. It's not pleasant, but I'm sure it'll go away soon. This med works really fast, I already feel my depression lifting."

• CDN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Brintellix for four days now after switching from Cymbalta, and I am completely regretting it. I felt great for the first day but now feel as bad as I did when I first sought treatment. I'm dizzy and nauseous; I've had trouble falling asleep, I'm constantly hungry, I itch everywhere, and I feel like I'm always about to start crying. I've had suicidal thoughts of a severity and frequency I haven't had since before I went on Cymbalta. I very nearly contacted a crisis help center last night; I felt so bad -- and I don't even really know what triggered it. I'll discuss it with my therapist tomorrow, but I really want to stop taking it; I'm actually nervous about trying to hold out for a month before I see my psychiatrist again."

• Aaa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "Initially helped pull me out of depression. But made anxiety and restlessness worse and worse. Gave me restless leg syndrome and had a 3-day stretch where I had 0 sleep even with Vistaril the first night, double the Vistaril the second, and 3 Ativans to finally enjoy maybe 4 hours on the 3rd. Made my mind feel so stimulated my thoughts were racing and even vivid, like I was living in a dream. And the worst effect was the itching and the feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin. Went off completely and started Zoloft. It's a lot better for anxiety."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Have been on antidepressants for 20 years, trying more than I can remember. Was on Cymbalta for 8 years, but it quit working for me. Depression was my biggest problem when I was younger, but now anxiety seems to be the bigger problem. Been on Trintellix for 2 weeks now (first week 5 mg; second week 10 mg). The side effects I can handle are nausea and headaches. The ones I can’t handle are feeling high as a kite every day, brain on warp speed and can’t focus or concentrate. The absolute worst side effects are high blood pressure and itching!! I cannot stop itching! My skin is ripped apart all over my whole body, and my skin feels about 100 degrees constantly! The itching is driving me insane. Seeing a psychiatrist next week. I need help with this!"

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Depression "I switched to 10 mg vortioxetine from 75 mg of sertraline with only a day or two of withdrawal symptoms. The only physical side effects have been itching, which is tolerable, and 3 or 4 short bouts of nausea and a few instances of vomiting. Two weeks in, and the nausea has completely disappeared, my mood and motivation are excellent, and I have plenty of energy. I still have some itching. This is the best antidepressant I have tried. (I have tried 5 different antidepressants previously: Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor, and Mirtazapine). I take it at night, before bed, and have had some vivid nightmares, however, I am generally sleeping well. I hope these good feelings last!"

• jor...
• December 7, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "After being on 90 mg of Cymbalta for three years, and with gradual increases and no betterment to my conditions, a counselor through my school suggested trying Trintellix at 10 mg. First of all, this makes me sick to my stomach whether I eat or not, causes constipation, horrible irritability, night sweats, and itchiness. I can't tell if the itching is my anxiety or if it's from the medication, but it's horrible. It's either causing me great amounts of itching or it's not helping my anxiety-both cases suck. I can no longer drive on the highway or go to school because I'm too anxious and depressed. I hope I find a better medication because this one sucks."

• Med...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2016

For Depression "I have tried numerous psych meds over several years. I could not take any of them due to side effects. Been on vortioxetine about 7 mos. It has improved my depression and helped me feel good and confident. At first, the side effects were some nausea, itchiness, and diminished vision. The benefits outweighed the side effects-especially since-unlike regular SSRIs-this med does not interfere with my ability to think clearly and complete my work. Now though, I have developed joint pain and muscle stiffness. Also, maybe it shrinks my tendons. When I skip med for a day, pain/stiffness reduces and vision improves. (Nausea and itchiness had already become a non-issue). Hope next generation med fixes vision & stiffness pain problem. Will talk to doc soon."

• soo...
• November 4, 2016

For Depression "I used to take clomipramine for many years for mild depression and anxiety, and it was working excellently for me. This last year I was in swinging mood, off and on. My doctor suggested trying a new medication. The first day I took it, I felt dizzy and upset stomach with a headache, but at the same time, I felt so energetic and focused. I was happy and willing to tolerate the side effects. The fourth day, everything changed. My body reacted badly to the medicine. I had severe itching all over my body, increased heart rate, short breath with numbness. I called my doctor, and he said it is okay. We have to give the medication more time. Now, after a month on this medication, I feel so tired and irritable and feel like my brain is frozen."

• 35-...
• February 16, 2021

Vortioxetine for Depression "I was suffering from OCD and anxiety. My doctor put me on Trintellix 10 mg/day. I took it for about a month, but my anxiety got worse after a few days. I contacted my doctor and let him know that this medication has made me more anxious, but he said that it is not Trintellix causing these symptoms and your anxiety is too high. He increased the dose to 20 mg/day. After a few days, the pins-and-needles sensation became a permanent issue and I had significant apprehension, got insomnia, stomach pain, and itchy skin. My psychiatrist was still insisting that I should give this medication at least one more month. So, I decided to change my psychiatrist. The new doctor asked me to gradually reduce the Trintellix dose and get rid of it within two weeks. He prescribed me Clonazepam 0.5 mg twice a day. After a few days, I am feeling much better. Everything has improved, and I am getting my life back. I know that Clonazepam might not be a reasonable long-term solution, but Trintellix was a real nightmare."

• Pix...
• January 10, 2016

For Depression "I have taken Trintellix for about 6 months after trying absolutely everything else. At first, I was thrilled at how much better I felt. I could concentrate again, was sleeping for the first time in over a decade, and felt more motivated. However, for the past few months, I have been feeling moderately to severely depressed, so much fatigue that all I want to do is sleep, and itching and muscle pain. Most disturbing, though, is how little I feel like myself. Anger, mood swings, and feeling irritable are affecting my relationships and my desire to help myself. Time to discuss discontinuing this med with my doctor."

• Nob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2017

For Depression "Worst antidepressant out there. Ruined my life. I took 5 mg for a week, then 10 mg for 2 weeks, gone up to 15 mg but couldn't persist because of unbearable itching, so went back to 10 mg for another three weeks. I stopped taking it because it was completely unhelpful, all in all - 1.5 months with this drug. When I quit, I began experiencing withdrawal symptoms: brain zaps, muscle twitches, tight muscles, extreme agitation and restlessness, no focus or concentration, loss of memory. I'm writing this review almost a year after quitting this drug(!) and still the symptoms persist. I think that it caused permanent brain damage. If you've been hurt by this drug like me, spread the word! If you're considering taking it, STAY AWAY!"