Vortioxetine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2014

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've suffered from moderately severe episodes of depression and chronic anxiety for years. I have tried everything from Prozac to Cymbalta to Paxil to Remeron to Abilify. Side effects ranged from bad to intolerable: headaches, weight gain, cognitive dulling. I almost gave up hope that anything would help. This medication has provided a lot of relief. My depression seemingly vanished. My anxiety is still there but seems a little better. Everyone's body reacts differently, but if you feel like you've tried every other SSRI, starting a low dose of this might really help. It could be the placebo effect for all I know, but somehow I don't think so because of the lack of success with past meds. I'm on 5 mg only. (I take it with low dose benzos)."

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2014

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Brintellix for 10 weeks and notice an appreciable benefit in my mood, but the side effect is serious weight gain (approx. 12 lbs in that time) and serious nausea & headache about 30 minutes after taking my 20 mg tab, no matter when I take it during the day or with how much food. (Noticed best with my biggest meal.) While my mood is definitely better (no more suicidal thinking or attempts), I still don't feel like my old self. Kind of a medium with no real highs or lows. I can smile, laugh, and cry, but just don't feel like me. Obviously, this is so much better than being suicidal, but I'd really like to find a better fix, especially because of the weight gain. Other minor side effects are mild & occasional all-over body itchiness."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "In six weeks of 20 mg dose, I have gained 12 pounds. I got through a couple of pages of reviews here and see no mention of weight gain, and it is supposed to be “weight neutral.” That said, my stomach is tight and bloated, and I was convinced I had something more serious going on, but it has to be this med. Initially, I could tell a positive difference, but that plateaued, and I wasn’t improving any further. I didn’t get a sick stomach or headaches, but the weight gain is a deal breaker."

• LNE...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2022

For Depression "I have severe depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD. I've tried everything over the last 21 years, and absolutely nothing comes close to this. I take 20 mg (maximum dose) along with amitriptyline for pain and sleep, and it has changed my life! My only niggling doubt was that I was too emotionless, but compared to life before, it's marvelous. Shortly after starting this, I quit alcohol (I had a severe drinking problem), something I never managed to achieve previously. I have gained a bit of weight, but that's probably because I'm close to the change. When you've spent almost every living day on this planet contemplating suicide and coming very close, a bit of weight gain is not going to make me stop taking it. I highly recommend vortioxetine, if only this was available when I was younger."

• ozz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken Lexapro for depression and anxiety for over 10 years-beginning in my early 40s. I have tried to change to other medications without success. But, I had the side effects on Lexapro of tiredness, lack of energy, and apathy. Maybe related to those side effects, but I believe also separately, I gained a lot of weight since I started the medicine. Trintellix is the first medicine that is working on my mood and anxiety, and my energy and get-up-and-go have returned. I feel 20 years younger! For the past 6 weeks, I have taken 10 mg of Trintellix while titrating slowly down on my Lexapro (had been at 30 mg for years). I was less than hopeful, but am so thrilled to have this success finally. I do have some stomach upset-not bad."

• Ugh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2014

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Been on 10 mg for 8 weeks. I could sleep all day and all night, my house is a mess, and I don't care much about anything. It makes me itchy, and I've gained weight. I feel like I might as well take nothing. Will be seeing my doctor about switching in a week."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "Been taking Brintellix for 2 weeks, and so far, feeling pretty good. I'm a little worried about the weight gain and the price. I finally find something that works for me, and it causes these side effects, and it's ridiculous how pricey it is to feel normal! Sad to know that if I can't afford it or it puts weight on me, that I'm going to have to stop taking a drug that actually helps! I work out 4 days a week and had lost 22 lbs, but I've gained 4 in 2 weeks. Not acceptable! I will continue taking for another 2 weeks and see what happens!"

• Red...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2017

Vortioxetine for Depression "I took this from Feb 2017 until Sept 2017 for my GAD. I alternated between 5 mg & 10 mg daily. It worked okay for my anxiety, but just okay. Sex drive non-existent. Gained 20 lbs with no other lifestyle changes, so it had to be this medicine. I stopped with no withdrawal symptoms, so that's good."

• Gra...
• August 23, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am a 64-year-old female. I have been on antidepressants since I was 13. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, bipolar, and major depressive disorder. I felt most normal while taking Prozac, however, during the past ten years, I lost both parents, made a major move, and my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The Prozac just didn't seem to be working. My physician switched me to Wellbutrin, and then to Cymbalta...the Cymbalta and my stomach didn't hit it off, so she put me on Brintellix. I am very pleased with this medication. I do have nausea, so I try to eat something before I take it. I seem to be hot all of the time, some itching, and I have had a significant weight gain! Which is not listed as a side effect."

• Tee...
• December 16, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been taking this for about two months. I had previously taken Cymbalta for the past three to five years, but felt it had lost its effectiveness and was causing severe decreased libido. I have gained two to four pounds, constantly itch, am very moody, easily agitated, feel more depressed than before, and still no sexual desire. 40-year-old female."

• gat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "After trying many other medications, I am happy with my experience with Trintellix. I take 10 mg once daily for depression and anxiety. I don’t feel like a zombie, have not had any sexual side effects or weight gain. The only adverse reaction I experience is very mild nausea after taking, so I take it in the evenings before bed."

• Jac...
• December 4, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I've been using Brintellix for 3 months now - 20 mg - Depression is almost completely over & back to work - Side effects still ongoing - dry mouth - weight gain - stomach bloating - abdominal pain (less frequent now) - dizziness. Looking forward to reducing dosage & slowly getting off it."

• sli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I just took my first dose of the 10 mg Brintellix after a week of the 5 mg. I take mine at night with my Latuda, which requires 350 calories, so I've experienced virtually no nausea. I'm very surprised that I have taken so well to this drug. Generally, I experience a lot of the negative side effects, but this time I haven't. I'm hopeful that we will reach a dose that really removes the depression, and I can start living my life again. I haven't noticed any weight gain, which is always a concern of mine. I'm hopeful that this will be the one, but I've also been hopeful in the past and have been let down."

• 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."

• Hac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2023

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Trintellix has definitely helped with my depression and anxiety. After about a month, the initial side effects (nausea, fatigue, itching, etc.) stopped. It is a bit hard on the digestive tract, but I am not experiencing the awful constipation I’ve had from many other drugs. The worst part, though, is the terrible weight gain! I gained 8 pounds within the first month, and I have now gained 20 pounds after 7 months, despite doing a minimum of an hour of cardiovascular exercise six days a week and lifting weights three times a week and eating super healthy. The number on the scale just keeps climbing. It’s really maddening that the drug company and doctors say this drug doesn’t cause weight gain. So not true!!! Like, for 10 years, they told me Cymbalta doesn’t cause constipation, and now they list it as the number one side effect. We’ll see if I continue with Trintellix. The weight gain is very concerning for other health reasons."

• Bon...
• April 9, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've had MDD for over 19 years and have been on numerous antidepressant medications. Most recently, my doctor switched me to Trintellix. I took it at night after reading about the nausea side effect and had very little. Did have some itching (stopped within 2 weeks) and had bad irritability. My doctor added a small dose of Abilify, and the irritability went away within a week. Thinking of switching from Abilify as an add-on to Wellbutrin instead because of large weight gain, which my primary doctor thinks is from the Abilify. Overall, it helped me a lot when nothing else was working anymore."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 29, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have been dealing with depression for well over 6 months and just about 2 months ago decided to go to the doctor to seek help with medication to bridge back to being myself. I first tried Viibryd for a month, worked well for me emotionally and for my moods, but I gained weight, which triggered deeper depression for me. I am now trying this Brintellix stuff. I have had severe itching throughout my entire body, it gets worse when I'm sitting still and trying to fall asleep at night. I'll be itching my back and legs so hard in my sleep that it wakes me. I have only been on this drug for a month! Totally not worth it. Not to mention the vomiting, which makes everything so much worse. I hate the medication guessing game that comes along with this."

• Hop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was on it for 3 months when I stopped because it was $368 a month, even with my insurance (I have a high deductible plan). After about a month of being off, I asked my doctor for something else. He told me no because it took us so long to find that. He provided me with samples for the next 6 months. It was like a magic pill for me as far as my depression, it even helped my anxiety to the point where I wasn't taking Xanax anymore. But it definitely lowered my sex drive, which has almost cost me my marriage. I also gained a total of 25 lbs. After being on the medicine for about 6 months, it seemed that it just stopped working. The depression is back, and on some days, worse than before, and the anxiety has been so severe I had to go to the ER one night."

• apa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Depression "I gave this med a good 15 weeks to do its job, but it never delivered, actually. Social anxiety went down quite noticeably, but only as a result of unnatural sedation or rather 'robotization'. I almost missed being 'pumped up' by social situations (quite absurd as it sounds), so empty was this 'calmness' that vortioxetine was installing within me. Sleep was good, every night dreaming, though no recollections. Definitely an increased appetite resulting in almost 10-pound weight gain. Overall feeling of being tired, sleepy, lethargic, and apathetic. No interest in anything, really. Erections and orgasms unaffected, but libido significantly reduced. Occasional nausea, lasting a few minutes. Wish you luck in your med search!"

• Eag...
• October 24, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have had anxiety since I've been 9 years old. I was on Fluvoxamine until the age of 16 and weaned myself off. A month ago, I started getting insane anxiety that would send me into emotional breakdowns. I went to see my doctor and spoke with her about medications and that I was very hesitant as I prefer a natural approach. I was also very concerned about weight gain and loss of libido. She recommended that I try a 'new drug' called Trintellix and that those side effects were not an issue with it. I have been on this medication for a week, and I've been crying nearly every night and cannot catch my breath and relax. Although my mental chatter has lessened, I'd rather be off this medication than deal with this awful feeling. I have since today experienced a very persistent headache that is unbearable. No nausea or stomach upset, but I sort of don't want to know what could happen if I were to jump to the 10 mg from 5 mg. Not worth it."

• fis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "After many years of trying different antidepressants, my doctor prescribed Trintellix. After about 3 months, I started sleeping 9-12 hours a day, was extremely apathetic, and had no motivation. I had all kinds of tests done because none of these were listed as side effects. I ran out of my pills over the holidays. After being off Trintellix for six days, I woke up feeling like the bell jar had been lifted off of me. Now, a week later, my sleep is starting to get closer to normal, my empathy is returning, and I have had more motivation. I also gained weight."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2017

For Depression "Absolutely life-changing. I honestly don't know what I would've done without this drug. I tried a handful of other antidepressants that made me feel emotionless and lethargic, but Trintellix allows me to function like a normal human being without the zombie-like symptoms. I used to have panic attacks every single day, and I haven't had one in over six months. There are still bouts of anxiety, but the severity is nowhere near the crippling anxiety that I used to experience. It's a miracle. I can actually live a normal and fulfilling life again. The only downside is the weight gain (about 20 pounds for me, even with exercise every day and healthy eating) and the intense nausea after taking it every night. Not the best, but certainly worth it."

• ECe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have tried Vybrid, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Prozac. Prozac I had a huge relief in symptoms, but the side effects I could not tolerate. The doctor put me on Trintellix 10 mg and after a month I felt no improvement or side effects, so I was bumped up to 20 mg. I am no longer depressed, but I do not feel as good as I did on Prozac emotionally. I have noticed impotence, constipation, increased sinus infections, minor weight gain, and neck stiffness. Overall, I haven't had any intolerable side effects, and it is keeping my depression at bay. Because of the price, I am hoping to come off the medication in a few months."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2019

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Moved from Pristiq to Trintellix so ADHD meds wouldn't interact with my antidepressant. Took 10 mg for a month. Had: - suicidal ideation - became manically depressed. Cried constantly. Swung between poles of insanely depressed to flat emotionally. Although, I was down 70% of the time. - became nasty and short-tempered with no ability to cope. - fatigued, short of breath, and muscle weakness. - significant weight gain. 15 lbs in a month. - constant migraines. - I lost any ability to focus. - further, I had severe indigestion, bloating, and persistent diarrhea. And I had to fight with my doctor to get off it. A wise person told me that a medication's side effects should be bearable. I took that advice."

• Suz...
• December 29, 2016

For Depression "I've had zero nausea, but zero sex drive, and I have a hard time concentrating at work. I've been taking 20 mg for about 6 weeks. I take it at bedtime. I have been very sluggish and have gained about 10 pounds. I also have terrible gas, so I have to take gas pills daily. It has helped with my depression, but my job is suffering because I cannot concentrate at all. I'm thinking of asking my doctor to change my med because I will get fired soon if I keep this up! I no longer want to kill myself, but soon I will be obese, unemployed, and sleepy. Then I will be more depressed..."