What is Trintellix?
Trintellix (vortioxetine) is an antidepressant that may be used to treat the symptoms of major depressive disorder. Trintellix was previously called Trintellix but the name was changed in 2016 after confusion in the marketplace between Trintellix and another medicine.
How does Trintellix work?
Experts aren’t sure exactly how Trintellix works but it is thought to be due to its increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. It also has effects on other serotonin receptors, such as 5-HT1A (agonist effects) and 5-HT3 (antagonist effects), although experts are not sure if this action contributes to vortioxetine’s antidepressant effect.
Trintellix is different from other antidepressants currently on the market because of its direct effects on various serotonin receptors as well as inhibiting serotonin reuptake. Because it acts as an antagonist/agonist and partial agonist, this is thought to enhance its antidepressant effects and prevent desensitization of the presynaptic neuron.
Trintellix aims to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent them from returning.
Trintellix is classified as a miscellaneous antidepressant, although some classify it as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and a serotonin receptor modulator.
How is Trintellix taken?
Trintellix comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take Trintellix at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Trintellix exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may adjust your dose of Trintellix depending on how well you respond to treatment and whether you experience side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with Trintellix.
It may take 2 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of Trintellix. Continue to take Trintellix even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Trintellix without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking Trintellix, you may experience side effects including headache, muscle stiffness, mood swings, outbursts of anger, dizziness, or runny nose. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually.
It takes approximately two weeks for blood levels of vortioxetine to stabilize in the body.
How long does Trintellix stay in your system?
According to The Recovery Village, several factors come into play when estimating how long Trintellix will stay in your system because every patient has physiology unique to them. Here are some major factors you should consider when trying to understand how long vortioxetine will stay in your body:
• Age: Typically, the younger you are, the more efficient your body functions are. The more efficient your body functions, the faster Trintellix will be removed from your system.
• Body height/weight/fat: Your specific prescribed vortioxetine dosage corresponds to your body height, weight, and fat. Usually, larger people will be given a higher dosage of Trintellix. The higher the dose of vortioxetine you have been taking, the longer Trintellix will take to be removed from your system.
• Genetics: Genes predispose people to different metabolic functions, which is a key factor in how your body processes medications like vortioxetine. For this reason, your genetic makeup comes into play when estimating how long Trintellix will remain in your system.
• Kidney and liver functions: The liver and kidneys eliminate everything you ingest, and Trintellix is no exception. If your liver or kidneys are damaged, it will most likely take longer for your body to remove the vortioxetine from your system.
• Metabolism: Your metabolism determines how quickly you process foods, liquids, and medications such as Trintellix. If your metabolism is slow, it will take longer for your body to process and eliminate vortioxetine from its system than someone with a fast metabolism.
• Usage frequency: The longer you have been taking Trintellix, the longer it will remain in your system. For example, it will take longer for someone who has taken vortioxetine for several years to remove Trintellix from the body than someone who has only been taking vortioxetine for a few months.
How Long Does Trintellix (Vortioxetine) Stay In Your Urine, Hair, And Blood?
Trintellix has a long half-life of (66 hours) and is given once a day. It takes seven to eleven hours to reach maximum vortioxetine concentrations in the blood after a single dose, but once regular dosing is established, blood levels remain relatively constant. Here are some estimations of detection windows in which vortioxetine can be found in different types of drug tests:
• Urine: Trintellix can be detected in urine within 12 to 16 days of its use.
• Hair: Like many other medications, vortioxetine can be detected in hair follicles for a longer duration than other tests. Usually, Trintellix can be detected in the hair within 90 days of its use.
• Blood: Trintellix can be detected in a blood test up to 16 days after taking it. Depending on your age and metabolism, it may be undetectable after 13 days.
What side effects can I expect from Trintellix?
Trintellix can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Trintellix in clinical trials:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- nausea
- vomiting
Mild side effects of Trintellix
Mild side effects can occur with Trintellix use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, refer to Trintellix’s medication guide.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Trintellix include:
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• vomiting
• dizziness
• nausea
• itching
• sexual side effects
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects of Trintellix
Trintellix may cause serious side effects, although this is rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, including how long Trintellix’s side effects last, you can refer to Trintellix’s medication guide.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Trintellix, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life-threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Note: A missed dose of Trintellix isn’t likely to cause serious side effects. However, you should not stop taking the drug without first talking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping Trintellix can cause serious side effects, including nausea, confusion, and tiredness.
Serious side effects and their symptoms
Serious side effects of Trintellix, as well as their symptoms, may include:
• Serotonin syndrome (having too much of the chemical serotonin in your body). Symptoms can include:
o anxiety
o confusion
o diarrhea
o fast heart rate
o irritability
o increased blood pressure
o muscle spasms (involuntary muscle tightening) or tremors (shaking that you can’t control)
• Serious bleeding. Symptoms can include:
o coughing up blood
o severe or uncontrollable bleeding
o stools that look black or red
o urine that’s red, pink, or brown
o vomiting blood, which may look similar to coffee grounds
• Hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels). Symptoms can include:
o confusion
o headache
o trouble concentrating
o weakness
• Risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults.
• Withdrawal symptoms.
• Allergic reaction.
