Trintellix and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2018

For Depression "I came off Lexapro to Trintellix. Lexapro was causing my head to be very foggy and I was having memory problems. I'm on the 4th week of the Trintellix 10 mg. I'm waiting to get to see a doctor to talk about the side effects. It's making me very, very moody and angry. I can't even tell if my head is clearer because of all the emotions. The nausea is only bad if I drink alcohol with it. I only had sleep problems for the first week."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started Trintellix 10 mg on Sunday. It is now Friday, and I am surprised I am not in the psych ward. I started tapering off Lexapro 20 mg down to 10 mg for a week, then started Trintellix on Sunday and stopped taking the Lexapro. The first day, I woke up rather happy. The following few days were a spiral decline. By Wednesday, I had my first panic attack since I was 7 years old, where I thought I couldn’t breathe. I had to stop driving my car. By Thursday, I had to call my mom to come stay with me because I didn’t trust myself to be alone. I stopped taking it 2 nights ago and just went back to my Lexapro. My doc is recommending just adding in a low dose Ativan instead. I didn’t sleep hardly at all the entire time. The times I did, I dreamt that my boyfriend cheated on me vividly, or I woke up thinking I genuinely couldn’t breathe. I have been on Effexor (didn’t work), Zoloft, Vibryd, Lamictal, Lexapro, literally, you name it. I have never EVER had an experience this terrible."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2017

For Depression "I have been on several antidepressants before and needed to make a change. This medication was the worst experience ever. Major stomach issues and headache, but mostly the emotional side. Couldn't quit crying. I also didn't sleep for the week I tried to take it. Not for me. Do yourself a favor and don't start it."

• Jpa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on 20 mg of Trintellix for about 9 months. Honestly, I don’t know that it’s really done much for me. My insomnia has not let up, and I still have suicidal thoughts...not sure that there are any good depression meds out there."

• ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2015

For Depression "I started Brintellix 5 mg 4 days ago for MDD. I was on Nardil for many years, but the side effects were too much, gross insomnia. My dose goes up to 10 mg in a few days. It's early, but I notice I'm a little calmer in the evenings and sleep better, no nausea yet. I'm in Canada and eligible for a compassionate $$ relief for this drug, as it is expensive. I wish everyone luck on it and me too."

• Cra...
• January 28, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on most of the SSRIs over the past 16 years and before that on the old-style antidepressants, which were the worst. I changed to Brintellix after 7 years on Lexapro, and at first, I felt fantastic. I did have some initial nausea and headache, which dissipated over the first few weeks. I started on 10 mg and have been on this dose for the last 5 weeks. The initial success has been overshadowed by sleep disturbance with vivid dreams and some nightmares, plus increasing agitation and low-level feelings of anger. My concentration is affected by these background feelings as I feel agitated most of the time now. Think this means it isn't going to work for me, and yes, another failed med!"

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medication helped a little in the beginning, but then made me worse over time. With each increased dose, the doctor insisted I'd start feeling better. By the time we got to 15 mg, I wasn't sleeping, I was having peripheral hallucinations and emotional outbursts. I tried to tell my psychiatrist, but he seemed too invested in keeping his patients on this med. So I went to see my primary, who knows me well. I was an emotional wreck. I told him I had already dosed the med back down to 10 mg. He told me to come off the drug and gave me something for sleep. Perhaps there are people this med really helps, but it made everything in my life so much worse. So I fired my psychiatrist and will be seeing a new one soon."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2025

"I’ve been on Trintellix for 4 months now. I still feel really bad. I still have anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, I don’t sleep, bad headaches, and constipation. I really tried to stay with it to see changes, but one day I feel good and the other day I'm suicidal because I can’t take these anymore. Still, it’s not the same for everyone. If you read this, I know it’s not easy. Be strong, and take care of you. Ask for help."

• psy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2015

For Depression "Was on Brintellix 5 mg for two months. Had some improvement, and the side effects weren't too bad but included nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, jittery feelings, and loss of libido. Bumped it up to 10 mg at the advice of my doctor and again had more improvement, but the side effects increased and the hives started. At first, I didn't realize it was the medication, though I had read the precautions. My memory and focus seemed better overall. After 4 months of the 10 mg, I noticed a personality change. I became lazy, had no motivation, and procrastinated important tasks. This was completely out of character for me. As time went on, this got worse. Plus, the cost was outrageous! I have been off of the Brintellix for two weeks now and am improving."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Brintellix for about 3 weeks now due to depression and anxiety. I have noticed increased energy, some nausea and headaches (usually on an empty stomach), some loss of sleep, and nightmares. The worst of the nausea and headaches lasted for about the first 4 days and was infrequent, usually for about 90 minutes after taking the pill (I take it at night now before bed). Impressive improvement in the large emotional mood swings and anxiety I was experiencing was quick. I have never taken anything before. Brintellix has improved my symptoms and quality of life. The benefits definitely outweigh any side effects I have experienced."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Depression "This medicine is hard to explain, first, it made me sick at my stomach for about 5 days. Then, one day I felt like the sun had come out and things looked brighter. Then I couldn't sleep, I just kept waking up. It seems to make me a little nicer, does not control my temper, or make me as relaxed as Zoloft. I've been on it for 2 weeks, and I am going to try for 2 more weeks to make up my mind. It is kind of hard to know yet."

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

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."

• Shi...
• October 11, 2015

For Depression "I'm taking this drug for 7 days now. Just started with the drops. 1 mg more each day. I'm now on 7 mg. Since 2 days, it's keeping me awake all night. I don't have problems with my drive anymore (my main problem, besides bad concentration), but in case the sleep is not getting better, I'll have problems with that for sure. Does anyone know if the sleep is still getting better after worsening through medication? If sleep is not getting better, I have to taper it off or take less than 5 mg (insomnia started at 5, 4 mg was still okay)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2022

For Depression "Not much side effects from the get-go. Slight nausea on 5 mg. After about three weeks, it kicked in and made me feel dizzy, unable to sleep, chest tightness started coming on, feelings of high also low. Numbness in the head too. Feel overly sensitive, then the next minute calm. Withdrawing from the drug as had a night scare on the drug. Just felt off and irritable in moods. Muscles also twitching during the day on it. Second day withdrawing, feel better but uncertain what medication to try next for panic disorder as have tried what also failed: sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine had similar effects for me as this medication actually, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine worked for four months then stopped, and fluoxetine which gave me serotonin syndrome."

• 513...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Just started taking Trintellix 4 days ago. No nausea, I have had headaches, but that's kinda a common thing for me, so not sure it's the med. But my whole reason for getting on here was to see what people had to say about any side effects of dreams. Many dreams all in one night, and none of them are good. I stopped taking VYBRID because of insomnia. Now with this medicine, so far, it's crazy dreams. I'm hoping this is only temporary. No changes in my anxiety and depression yet.....so I guess I will wait and see as usual."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was taking Prozac for 4 years and went a year without medication. I decided to go back on, but I wanted something different. My doctor prescribed me 10 mg Trintellix, as he said it was one of the few medicines without a side effect of insomnia that I already had. I was advised to take it with food, so the nausea wasn't so bad. I took it at night, and it made me sleepy, but it would leave me in a zombie state for the entire next day. It got to a point that I was truly falling asleep at work, but then couldn't sleep at all once I got home. I personally don't recommend it, as it made my depression worse, and I had a major lack of motivation and extreme fatigue. I would recommend trying it if you are interested in seeing what it does for you, but it just wasn't for me."

• 35-...
• February 16, 2021

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."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 17, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking Trintellix for at least a year. I started out at 5 mg, and my doctor increased my dose to 10 mg. I have a long history of antidepressant use. For 25 years, Prozac was a lifesaver, and I was able to work and function in society. Then Prozac stopped working for me, and I experienced a slow descent into a terrible depression along with crippling anxiety and insomnia. My doctor put me on Paxil, which made me feel like a zombie. I also tried several other antidepressants that did not work. Then I was prescribed Trintellix, which helped bring me out of depression and increased my quality of life. My anxiety symptoms have also been reduced, however, I still have insomnia. I have had problems with nausea when I take the 10 mg dose of Trintellix, so my dosage was reduced to 5 mg. I have been on that dose for almost 2 weeks, and my nausea symptoms have improved. The only other issue is the cost. I was paying 100 dollars a month out of pocket after insurance paid the rest."

• Die...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have only been on Trintellix for just over a week, at 10 mg, and have been struggling with insomnia since my first dose. I was taking 150 mg of Zoloft, and it was working very well for my depression, but I still dealt with a lot of fatigue, so I thought I'd try the Trintellix. Along with the insomnia, my mood has gotten worse, I have increased anxiety, and my fatigue has obviously worsened due to no sleep from the insomnia. I did not have any issues with nausea, as so many others have had. I am very torn as to whether I should continue taking the Trintellix because I know just over a week is not nearly enough time to get the full effect and results, but I definitely feel like I have taken a big step backward from how I felt on the Zoloft. I messaged my doctor to get his thoughts but think going back to Zoloft may be the best plan for me. Trintellix only cost me $10 per month with the online discount card, so cost was not an issue."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Just started the medication Trintellix at 5 mg for depression, and it has been my worst experience yet with antidepressants. Side effects are insomnia, vomiting, incontinence, flu-like symptoms. I will not be continuing the medication."

• Zar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2021

For Depression "I wrote a detailed explanation, which was apparently too long for this forum, so long story short, 1st week was good, 2nd week developed extreme anxiety, high BP, high heart rate, insomnia, and horrible akathisia. Had high hopes, but ended up being a nightmare. Akathisia was a nightmare. Will probably work for most, but beware that it may cause akathisia."

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2018

For Depression "From the start, I can't sleep. My stomach feels like it's on fire, I can't eat or am throwing up when I do eat. I've lost 14 lbs in one month due to not eating. My heart beats super fast, I'm dizzy and unsteady, and the worst of all, it does nothing for anxiety. It has made it worse. Also, the drug interactions, I throw up the pain medication for my back, codeine. You can't take basic medications for colds, allergies, headache, or body ache. After taking or trying to take 20 mg for a month, I just want to crawl in a hole. This is NOT a good medicine. Had a slight improvement with depression, but not worth it."

• nw ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "The first week I felt good, but then nauseous all day... migraine and lack of sleep. Expensive too."

• Hec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2025

For Major Depressive Disorder "Trintellix 20 mg makes me passive. However, I believe I suffer from some of its side effects, e.g., insomnia, lack of sexual desire, and gastrointestinal inflammation."