Trintellix vs Cymbalta

Trintellix vs Cymbalta – detailed comparison:

Trintellix

It is the brand name of a drug called vortioxetine, which belongs to a group of drugs known as serotonin modulators.

Mechanism of Action

This medication works by increasing serotonin, a natural substance in the brain.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

This medication may cause harm to the unborn baby, hence, do not use this drug if you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it negatively affects the infant.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat major depressive disorder, a condition that is characterized by:

  • low energy;
  • feeling sad;
  • loss of interest in usual activities;
  • suicidal thoughts;
  • sleeping more or less than usual;
  • feeling empty;
  • trouble concentrating;
  • feeling like you are thinking in slow motion;
  • thoughts of death;
  • feeling guilty, helpless, and hopeless;
  • nervous energy.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can interact with this serotonin modulator, especially:

  • tryptophan;
  • tramadol;
  • quinidine;
  • fentanyl
  • rifampin;
  • entresto;
  • St. John’s Wort;
  • any other antidepressant;
  • medicine to treat anxiety or mental illness, such as – buspirone;
  • a diuretic or water pill;
  • a triptan migraine headache medicine;
  • seizure medicine such as phenytoin;
  • aspirin or a blood thinner (Coumadin, Jantoven).

Dosage

Note – do not stop taking this drug without consulting with your healthcare provider.

The usual recommended dosage is 10 mg, administered orally once a day.

Contraindications

To make sure that this serotonin modulator is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have:

  • liver disease;
  • narrow-angle glaucoma;
  • low levels of sodium in the blood;
  • a history of drug abuse;
  • a blood clotting disorder;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression);
  • seizures.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol use can increase the risk of severe side effects.

Side Effects and Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • occasional vomiting;
  • vision changes;
  • constipation;
  • nausea.

Less common side effects may include:

  • eye redness or swelling;
  • easy bruising;
  • loss of coordination;
  • tunnel vision;
  • feeling unsteady;
  • racing thoughts;
  • unusual risk-taking behavior;
  • blurred vision;
  • being more talkative than usual;
  • coughing up blood;
  • memory problems;
  • seeing halos around lights;
  • feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
  • agitation;
  • slurred speech;
  • unusual bleeding (vagina, mouth, nose, or rectum);
  • muscle stiffness;
  • fainting;
  • eye pain;
  • confusion;
  • overactive reflexes;
  • vomiting;
  • fever;
  • decreased need for sleep;
  • severe weakness;
  • fast heart rate;
  • hallucinations.

Cymbalta

It is the brand name of a medication called duloxetine, that is part of a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Uses

This prescription medication is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis pain, major depressive disorder, and painful peripheral neuropathy.

Mechanism of Action

It works by changing the balance of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

This selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is known to pass into breast milk, and its effects on the breastfed infant are unknown.

There are no studies to determine whether this selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is safe to use during pregnancy.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor since alcohol use can increase the risk of side effects.

Dosage

Note – it may take 1 week to 1 month or even longer before you feel the full benefits of this selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

For depression, the usual recommended dosage is 60 mg once a day. The maximum recommended dosage is 120 mg per day.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

  • seizures;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • constipation;
  • sexual dysfunction;
  • sleepiness;
  • fatigue;
  • dizziness;
  • dry mouth;
  • nausea;
  • difficulty sleeping.

Less common side effects may include:

  • liver damage;
  • irregular heart rhythm;
  • hot flashes;
  • decreased appetite;
  • hives;
  • bleeding problems;
  • suicidal thoughts;
  • diarrhea;
  • glaucoma;
  • pneumonia;
  • rash;
  • vomiting.

Drug Interactions

It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:

  • OTC pain medications, such as naproxen (Aleve);
  • diuretics (water pills);
  • heart and blood pressure medications;
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like isocarboxazid (Marplan);
  • drugs used to treat mental illness;
  • clonazepam;
  • medications used to treat heartburn, like cimetidine (Tagamet);
  • prescription pain medications, such as – fentanyl;
  • blood thinners, like – warfarin (Coumadin);
  • antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro);
  • farxiga;
  • other antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac);
  • medications used to treat migraines, like almotriptan (Axert).

Bottom Line – Trintellix vs Cymbalta

Trintellix (active ingredient – vortioxetine) is an antidepressant that works by affecting chemicals in the brain, which may be unbalanced in people with major depressive disorder.

Cymbalta (active ingredient – duloxetine) is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant that is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain, which may be unbalanced in sufferers with depression.

According to a 2016 study, Cymbalta was more effective but less well-tolerated than Trintellix in people with major depressive disorder.

Regarding their price, the average retail price for 100 tablets of Trintellix 10mg is $1,100, while the average retail price for 100 capsules of Cymbalta 20mg is $700.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296590/
http://time.com/5169013/antidepressants-more-effective-placebo-treating-depression/

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