Trintellix (Vortioxetine) - Better Than Current Antidepressants?

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Overview: 

SSRI that also works on other serotonin receptors. No generic available until around 2027. 

History: It was approved for Depression treatment in the United States in 2013. In 2017, it was the 312th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.

Uses:

Trintellix (Vortioxetine) is an approved antidepressant that has also demonstrated positive effects on anxiety symptoms in subjects with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Mechanism of Action: 

Vortioxetine increases serotonin concentrations in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake in the synapse, and also modulates (activates or blocks) certain serotonin receptors. Findings are suggestive that the antidepressant effects of vortioxetine may be mediated by serotonin receptor interactions in addition to serotonin reuptake inhibition. Uncertainties remain about whether vortioxetine is indeed a clinically multimodal antidepressant or whether it is effectively "[just] another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor".

Effectiveness:

The effectiveness is stated to be around the same as other SSRI antidepressants. May take 2 to 4 weeks until effects are felt. It may take two months or longer until the full effect is felt.

Side Effects:

nausea

diarrhea

dry mouth

constipation

vomiting

gas

dizziness

abnormal dreams

itching

decreased sexual desire

Discontinuation syndrome can occur if you don’t taper off the medication with doctor's instructions. Some serious and very bothersome side effects could occur.