How long does Trintellix withdrawal last?
Trintellix (vortioxetine) withdrawal symptoms can last two weeks or longer, depending on factors such as dosage and duration of use. While not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms, they can appear within a few days after stopping the medication. Do not stop taking Trintellix abruptly without consulting your healthcare provider.
Can You Stop Trintellix Abruptly?
According to the manufacturer, Trintellix can be stopped without tapering. However, gradually reducing the dose before stopping is recommended to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Possible Trintellix Withdrawal Symptoms
Not everyone who discontinues Trintellix experiences withdrawal, but common symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Muscle tension
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Tremor
- Tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Seizures
- Nervousness
These are not all possible withdrawal symptoms from stopping Trintellix. If you think you are having withdrawal symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
How Common Are Trintellix Withdrawal Symptoms?
Clinical trials suggest that withdrawal symptoms from Trintellix are uncommon:
- In three 8-week clinical studies, patients taking Trintellix had slightly more withdrawal symptoms compared to those who took a placebo for 2 weeks after stopping treatment. This could be due to Trintellix having a long half-life (66 hours).
- A review of five studies found that the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms (DESS) scores during 2 weeks after stopping treatment were similar between patients taking Trintellix and those taking a placebo. Still, some experts classify Trintellix as being at “moderate risk” for withdrawal.
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How to Minimize Withdrawal Symptoms From Trintellix
Before stopping Trintellix, your healthcare provider may gradually lower your dose over a period of time that works for you to reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms. This is known as tapering down your dose.
- If you are taking 15 mg or 20 mg of Trintellix per day, it is recommended to lower the dose to 10 mg per day for one week before completely stopping the medication.
- If you start to have withdrawal symptoms, let your doctor know. They might need to restart Trintellix or taper your dose down more slowly before you can completely stop taking it. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Always follow your doctor’s instructions when adjusting or discontinuing Trintellix to ensure a safe transition.
References
Baldwin, D. S., et. al. (2016). The safety and tolerability of vortioxetine: Analysis of data from randomized placebo-controlled trials and open-label extension studies. In: Journal of Psychopharmacology. Accessed 05/31/2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4794082/
Horowitz, M. A., et. al. (2023). Estimating Risk of Antidepressant Withdrawal from a Review of Published Data. In: CNS Drugs. Accessed 05/31/2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9911477/
National Library of Medicine. (2020). Clinical Review Report: Vortioxetine Hydrobromide (Trintellix): (Lundbeck Canada Inc.): Indication: The treatment of major depressive disorder in adults [Internet]. Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564565/
Siwek, M., et. al. (2021). Withdrawal Symptoms Following Discontinuation of Vortioxetine—Retrospective Chart Review. In: Pharmaceuticals (Basel). Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8151377/
Trintellix [package insert]. Revised Aug 2023. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Accessed 05/31/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1a5b68e2-14d0-419d-9ec6-1ca97145e838
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The effectiveness of Trintellix (vortioxetine) for treating depression was initially studied in six separate clinical trials. In all six studies, participants taking Trintellix had a larger improvement in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) or Hamilton Depression 24-Item Rating Scale (HAM-D24) scores compared to those taking a placebo (no active medication). Continue reading
Is Trintellix the same as Brintellix?
Due to the potential for errors resulting from brand name confusion between Brilinta (an antiplatelet) and Brintellix (an antidepressant), the FDA changed the brand name for Brintellix to Trintellix in June 2016. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Trintellix Information for Consumers
- Trintellix prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Trintellix (detailed)
- Trintellix user reviews (1,135)
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