Vortioxetine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Wei...
• September 22, 2015

Vortioxetine for Depression "I am Bipolar II, have mild ADD (no H), and also suffer from depression. Have been on almost every type of antidepressant known to man. Currently taking Lamictal, Ritalin, Brintellix, Buspar, and Trazodone (great med!). While I have felt more positive on this med, I have also gained 15 pounds in 9 months, developed a rash a month after starting this, and will absolutely throw up if I don't take it with food. Hate the weight gain, etc... will talk to my doc about discontinuing..."

• Mel...
• January 10, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have been on 10 mg Trintellix for 1 year now. I feel like the depression cloud that had been hovering over my head is gone. I feel good emotionally. The downside is I do feel lethargic. The lethargy has made me more sedentary, which has caused me to not exercise as much. As a result, I have gained approx 20 lbs. According to the BMI chart, I am considered overweight. My sex drive initially increased while on Trintellix but has since tapered off. It could be the result of lethargy and weight gain. I can honestly say that if you can get past the lethargy and not worry about weight, you do feel pretty good on Trintellix."

• QQQ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "Was on Prozac 20 mg for 5 years. It worked for me. Gained weight. Forgot why I was on it until I tried to wean off. Saw a nurse to help me get off, and she told me to try Brintellix. I weaned off Prozac while starting Brintellix 10 mg. It worked. But now, a couple of months into it, I miss the Prozac. Not helping my anger. I can tell the difference. But I wanted to lose the weight. Thinking of increasing to 20 mg or adding GABA or something."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2017

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication made my depression worse. I couldn’t even get out of bed to take care of my little one, and when I did get out of bed, I would just lay on the couch like a zombie. I barely ate and gained 20 pounds. I’ve been on this for 3 months now, and my doctor won’t take me off of it. It’s ruining my life and my relationship with my family."

• Zip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I loved this medicine until the weight gain, bloating, and constipation became too much to handle. I've tried all the SSRIs, and the only one to help regulate my sleep was this one. I felt calmer, focused, and in general more in control of my life. All the SSRIs make me gain weight, and this one is no different. At first, I lost weight, then rapidly gained until my work pants no longer buttoned. And I did diet and exercise during this time to no avail. I didn't want to buy a new wardrobe, so I gradually came off. I was weepy for a week, and now my insomnia is back in full force. Wish I could take this again! Maybe if I lose the weight, I will try again? Also, if you have private insurance, get the coupon from the website, and it will cost you like $12 a month."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2018

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Drug works as it's supposed to for me. I sleep well and can stop crying. Started on 10 mg, now on 20 mg. I sleep well and am starting to come out of my shell. The problem for me is huge weight gain, slow metabolism, and muscle and joint pain. I am afraid of having problems with my thyroid and being able to walk. Still taking it. Been on it for two-plus months. On 20 mg. Waiting to talk to the doctor."

• Iho...
• November 28, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I have only been on the drug (5 mg) for 1 week and already feel better. I had been having suicidal thoughts and indescribable feelings of despair, but since starting this drug, it is amazing how fast it has helped. I am supposed to increase to 10 mg today but am terrified of side effects. Weight gain is a non-negotiable for me. Zoloft worked great, but I gained 15 lbs in 8 months and still haven't lost it. Negatives: the cost of this drug is absurd, and if I gain weight, I will lose my mind. It is depression or weight gain-both awful choices... I hope this drug works or I am done."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2023

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "Before starting Trintellix, I had tried multiple other medicines, and none worked or made me worse (Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, a few others). Within a week of taking Trintellix, I noticed a world of change. My depression was so severe prior to this medication, I honestly didn't know what to do and was thinking about going inpatient for help. Once starting it, I was able to focus, and my brain fog completely lifted like a veil in front of my eyes! I have gained 10 lbs since starting it, which is the only symptom I have noticed on it."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2020

For Depression "I started taking vortioxetine about 4 years ago. 5 mg was enough for me to keep debilitating anxiety at bay. Helped a lot with depression and no sexual side effects or weight gain. After a few years, I tried to wean myself off and was taking 5 mg every second day for a little while. But I realized I needed to stay on it as my anxiety came back badly, so I started taking it again and quickly went up to 15 mg. Have now been putting on weight and having lots of sugar/carb cravings like on other antidepressants. I am now going to go back to 10 mg, and if the weight won’t go, I’ll have to go back to 5 mg. Hopefully, it still works at these lower levels without the weight gain/cravings."

• awo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2015

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I don't know what 'feeling like myself again' would even feel like, so in contrast to other users I can't speak on that note. I do feel 'better' since starting Brint. My suicidal thoughts have gone away. Of course, I still feel hopeless and down at times. My anxiety seems to be much better. I have side effects of reddening of my cheeks, weight gain despite eating less. I think I will stop it soon if the weight gain continues."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2019

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on Trintellix 6 months ago for my MDD. I gained over 10 pounds in the first 3 months of starting Trintellix. I didn’t notice any positive effect on my mood or other symptoms either. Didn’t work for me. This prescription is also extremely expensive if you don’t have insurance!!"

• Cou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2019

Vortioxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Trintellix since March of this year. Have had major depression and generalized anxiety since childhood. Started on Effexor XR in the 1990s. It seemed to quit working, and so I started Trintellix 5 mg, then up to 10 mg, now at 20 mg. All was great till recently; it feels like 20 mg isn't enough. Depression is back full force. I take another medication for anxiety. I'm wondering if there is another medication that can be used as an adjunct to 20 mg Trintellix which doesn't make me gain 12 lbs. like Rexulti did several years ago. Seeing prescriber in a few days; will see what she says."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "Weight gain of 40 lbs in 5 months. It worked well for depression and setting and achieving goals, but with the lung problems and mild congestive heart failure I have, being 50+ pounds overweight is not an option. I have tapered off with little difficulty and hope the habits I have made during the last six months stay with me."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2019

Vortioxetine for Depression "They put my 11-year-old daughter on this stuff. It's been a nightmare. Her moods are all over the place. She had a gene test done, and we found out certain medicine she can't metabolize. She has been on a lot of different medicine, and so far, the only thing that worked was risperidone. But she gained a lot of weight with it, so that won't work either."

• MDD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "So far, so good! Zero side effects. Today, I actually woke up and felt 'good.' It is coming up to the anniversary of my ex-boyfriend's suicide, and I never thought I could feel so normal. I have tried so many others, all with side effects, particularly weight gain. :( The best part about this, I think, is if you are going to experience side effects, it will be quickly apparent, and you can stop taking it altogether, unlike so many other classes! (Hello brain zaps, nausea, spaced out, and manic withdrawal symptoms of venlafaxine!) I feel a glimmer of hope after 20 odd years of suffering MDD, anxiety, CPTSD, and binge-eating disorders!"

• PJl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2017

For Depression "I started this medication for severe depression. My doctor started me on 10 mg every night, I was extremely nauseous from it. I cut it down to 5 mg every night, which wasn't much better. I decided feeling dizzy, nauseous, and vomiting almost daily wasn't worth the hassle. I also oddly gained 10 lbs from this medication. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2017

For Depression "I started this a week ago, 5 mg (actually for bipolar). Got super sick, so I reduced to 2.5 for two nights, back to 5 mg. Now, a week later, just took my first 10, feeling great! Clear head, patient, feeling good, not so stressed as before. I am a little worried, or actually a lot, about weight gain. I am very active, eat well, etc., and I really hope this doesn't slow my metabolism like other antidepressants. I am hopeful and happy so far!!"

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2021

Vortioxetine for Depression "It’s an okay medication for anxiety. Does cause some digestive issues. I’ve been on Citalopram, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Mirtazapine, etc. This one seems to be the best tolerated for me. Zoloft and Citalopram took away my sex drive. Wellbutrin made me anxious, suicidal, and an insomniac. Mirtazapine is a great medication. Prob the best one, but the weight gain isn’t for me. I like to have an active sex life, and getting fat isn’t on my list. My doctor recommended Trintellix. It does limit my sex drive a little (thankfully, I have a high sex drive), but I am still horny and happy. I do struggle to sleep though, so I’m also on Trazodone. If you are skinny, go for Mirtazapine, it’s by far the best for anxiety."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2022

Vortioxetine for Depression "5 mg worked well for depression relief for several months, but I experienced weight gain in spite of more exercise and lower sugar consumption (probably due to improved mood, motivation). I went from 138 lbs to 154 lbs over the course of 3 months. However, no sexual side effects, which is more than I can say for every SSRI or SNRI I’ve tried."

• Kal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2017

For Depression "When I started Trintellix 2 years ago, within a couple of days, my mood and energy improved, and the physical side effects were tolerable. As time went on, my energy level went down, and I started gaining weight (15 lbs). My muscles were always aching, and I couldn't feel joy or sadness. I was numb. Don't ask me why I stayed on it for 2 years. My cognition was so sharp, though. Maybe that's why. Trintellix made me a bit paranoid and socially uncomfortable. Anyways, to make a long story short, I switched to Pristiq 50 mg and I'm doing better socially, and I'm sleeping through the night. On Trintellix, I was up at 3 or 4 every morning. I think I would try Trintellix again if I ever went into a severe depression again. Take care."

• MiD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "Terrible headaches every day. I tried 5 mg with minimal help for GAD. Doc upped me to 10 mg, but that made me so tired I could barely function, so back down to 5 mg. I was on it for 6 months and gained 20 lbs. Tapering off now with severe mood swings. I’ve tried Effexor XR, Lexapro, and this, and I always have the same results. I don’t think SSRIs are helpful for my anxiety, it always comes with way worse side effects. Now I have to drop this weight and figure out a nondrug solution to my anxiety."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

Vortioxetine for Depression "I have been on this medication for 3 months. I've tried so many, and I get all the rare side effects. Well, this seems to be the same. Although I am not gaining weight at 2.5 mg, my ears have been ringing since day 3. The doctor tried increasing to 5 mg, then 10 mg, and I was emotionally raw, terrifying. I have since been put back to 2.5 mg, and although the ringing is crazy, I am getting over my son's death a bit better."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2016

Vortioxetine for Depression "Male, mid-30s, depression for ~10 yrs. Was on Cymbalta 60 mg QD for 2 yrs, wasn't working, depressed, so upped to 90 mg QD. Didn't work, had typical side effects. Cross-tapered to Brintellix over a 3-wk period, achieving a 10 mg QD dose. Felt good for 2 wks - more energy, sharper mentally, but very angry and irritable. Then all 'good' effects ceased; all I felt was continual anger and irritation, which worsened every day for 3 wks. Put on 12 lbs/1 mo while being on Brintellix. Stopped the 10 mg dose cold turkey for 1 wk, just started on Fetzima. Can't tell if Brintellix withdrawal or Fetzima, but now having sexual AEs, namely near spontaneous ejaculation without being erect or stimulated - any other men have this with either drug?"

• Pun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2021

Vortioxetine "I am a 23-year-old female. Before Trintellix, I tried Lexapro, which I didn’t like because it made me gain weight, have a lower libido, and feel numb to my emotions. When my doctor said that Trintellix would make me less numb, I was willing to give it a try. Unfortunately, I am 1 in 100 who had an adverse effect to the medication. It took 4 days to get into my system. On the 5th day, I was experiencing mania and akathisia. I was not able to sleep for 31 hours one day and 23 the next. It was comparable to being high. Afterwards, on days 7 and 8, I experienced the complete opposite. I had no feeling whatsoever. I felt sadness, anger, guilt, fear, etc., but I couldn’t feel lust, joy, or excitement either. I also found this medication made me quite nauseous (which is saying something because I’m frequently nauseous because I have a vertigo disorder). Perhaps other people will find success, but this medication did not work for me."

• Raj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2023

"Excellent medicine for GAD. Doesn't cause sexual problems, however, I gained a little weight after 3 months. I tried all the other available (India) antidepressants, but either they didn't work or they caused so many side effects that I had to quit. After 20 years, finally, I got the medicine that works for me with no side effects."