Trintellix vs Effexor – detailed comparison:
Trintellix
It is the brand name of a medication called vortioxetine which belongs to a group of medications known as serotonin modulators. It works by increasing serotonin, a natural substance in the brain.
Uses
This prescription medication is used to treat major depressive disorder.
Major depressive disorder, also referred to as clinical depression, is characterized by:
- feeling sad;
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors;
- feeling empty;
- feeling like you are moving and thinking in slow motion;
- feeling guilty, worthless, helpless, and hopeless;
- nervous energy;
- thoughts of death;
- trouble concentrating;
- low energy;
- sleeping more or less than usual;
- loss of interest in your usual activities.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 10 mg administered orally once per day without regard to meals.
Note – do not stop taking this serotonin modulator abruptly without consulting with your healthcare provider.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- vision changes;
- nausea;
- constipation;
- occasional vomiting.
Rare side effects may include:
- easy bruising;
- tunnel vision;
- racing thoughts;
- blurred vision;
- coughing up blood;
- seeing halos around lights;
- agitation;
- eye redness or swelling;
- unusual bleeding (nose, vagina, mouth, or rectum);
- fainting;
- eye pain;
- loss of coordination;
- feeling unsteady;
- vomiting;
- decreased need for sleep;
- unusual risk-taking behavior;
- hallucinations;
- being more talkative than usual;
- fast heart rate;
- memory problems;
- feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
- severe weakness;
- fever;
- slurred speech;
- overactive reflexes;
- confusion;
- muscle stiffness.
To make sure that this serotonin modulator is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have:
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- bipolar disorder (manic depression);
- bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- low levels of sodium in the blood;
- liver disease.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with this serotonin modulator, especially:
- fentanyl, tramadol;
- entresto;
- any other antidepressant;
- a triptan migraine headache medicine;
- aspirin or a blood thinner (Coumadin, warfarin, Jantoven);
- seizure medicine – carbamazepine, phenytoin;
- a diuretic or water pill;
- medicine to treat anxiety or mental illness, such as – lithium or buspirone;
- tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
- quinidine;
- St. John’s Wort;
- benadryl;
- rifampin.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known exactly whether this serotonin modulator passes into breast milk or if it negatively affects the infant.
Also, this medication may cause harm to the unborn baby, therefore, do not use this serotonin modulator if you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant.
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Effexor
It is the brand name of a medication called venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine available in the brain.
Note – this brand version of this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor has been discontinued in the United States, but its generic form is still available.
Uses
The medication is used to treat the symptoms of anxiety causing distress in social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It is also used to treat depression.
Important note – this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is not approved by the US FDA for the treatment of depression in children.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 37.5-375 mg a day.
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Side Effects And Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- vomiting;
- blurred vision;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- constipation;
- unusual dreams;
- sweating;
- headaches;
- change in sleep habits;
- sexual problems;
- feeling tired;
- shaking;
- loss of appetite;
- diarrhea;
- dry mouth;
- increase in heart rate.
The use of this medication can lead to an excess of serotonin in the body, causing serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include:
- racing heart;
- diarrhea;
- mental confusion;
- vomiting;
- fever;
- lack of coordination;
- nausea.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
A 2010 study issued by the Canadian Medical Association concluded that this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor doubles the chances of spontaneous abortions. Therefore, the medication should only be taken if it’s unquestionably needed for the mother’s well-being.
Also, it passes into breast milk and may negatively affect the infant, hence, do not use this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Drug Interactions
It may interact with other medications which make you sleepy, especially:
- linezolid;
- ketoconazole, cimetidine;
- rizatriptan;
- naratriptan;
- sleeping pills;
- allergy medicines;
- almotriptan, warfarin;
- sedatives;
- tramadol;
- risperidone, haloperidol;
- narcotic pain medicine;
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors;
- muscle relaxers;
- medicines for anxiety or seizures;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
To make sure that this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had or have:
- a thyroid disorder;
- kidney disease;
- heart disease;
- a brain condition that causes unusual shifts in energy, mood, or activity;
- seizures;
- type 2 diabetes mellitus;
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- low levels of sodium in the blood;
- blood clotting disorder;
- a life-threatening condition in which the liver does not function normally because of long-term damage;
- hypertension;
- high cholesterol.
Bottom Line – Trintellix vs Effexor
Trintellix (active ingredient – vortioxetine) is an antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain, which may be unbalanced in people with major depressive disorder.
Effexor (active ingredient – venlafaxine) is a medicine that belongs to the class of drugs known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
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References http://investor.lundbeck.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=1031144 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/14740338.2015.1046836 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/204447s009lbl.pdf