{"id":18550,"date":"2021-02-03T13:00:46","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T18:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=18550"},"modified":"2026-03-27T10:46:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T14:46:35","slug":"trintellix-for-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trintellix-for-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take Trintellix for anxiety? Here’s what research shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trintellix<\/a> is a prescription antidepressant that\u2019s FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). It works by balancing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays an important role in mood, emotions, and appetite. Because serotonin is believed to help regulate anxiety, Trintellix is also sometimes used off-label to treat anxiety<\/a>. Let\u2019s take a more in-depth look at taking Trintellix for anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Trintellix work for anxiety?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trintellix is one of the brand names of the generic medication vortioxetine, which belongs to a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs<\/a>). <\/span>Trintellix<\/span><\/a> used to be called Brintellix, but it was renamed in 2016 because it was frequently getting confused with an antiplatelet medication called Brilinta. Renaming the medication to Trintellix has helped minimize confusion in doctors and patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trintellix is an SSRI that can help improve a person\u2019s mood, emotions, and sleep patterns. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Trintellix to treat major depressive disorder, but it can be prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to treat anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Off-label prescribing happens when a doctor prescribes a patient a medication that\u2019s FDA approved to treat a condition that\u2019s different from what the patient has. This is a common occurrence that\u2019s completely legal to do, and it\u2019s estimated that about <\/span>1 in 5 prescriptions<\/span><\/a> are actually off-label prescriptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So a doctor can write someone with anxiety a prescription for Trintellix, but why might they do this when there are so many other anti-anxiety medications on the market? Trintellix blocks serotonin reuptake like other SSRIs, but unlike other antidepressants<\/a>, it also has agonist and antagonistic effects on the 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 serotonin receptors in the brain. Researchers aren\u2019t exactly sure how this works, but they believe it contributes to <\/span>the antidepressant effects of Trintellix<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies<\/span><\/a> have shown that Trintellix improves symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder more than a placebo and that it is effective and tolerable in patients with severe anxiety. A meta-analysis study published in the <\/span>Current Drug Targets<\/span><\/a> journal found that Trintellix is effective for people with anxiety disorder with only mild to moderate side effects. Overall, it has proven to be <\/span>effective<\/span><\/a> at reducing anxiety and depression symptoms for people with major depressive disorder or high levels of anxiety.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t

\n\t\t\tGet our mental health newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t

<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting Trintellix for anxiety<\/span><\/h2>\n

Starting any new medication can be stressful, and if you already have anxiety, then knowing what to expect when you start taking Trintellix can help make the process easier. One of the most important things to be aware of when you first start taking Trintellix is that it isn\u2019t a fast-acting medication. It may take some time before you start to see your anxiety symptoms get better. It can take <\/span>two to four weeks<\/span><\/a> (or longer) to feel the full effects of Trintellix.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosage<\/h3>\n

Trintellix<\/a> is available as an immediate-release tablet in three dosage strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. The usual starting dose of Trintellix is <\/span>10 mg<\/span><\/a> taken once per day with or without food. This dosage may be increased to 20 mg per day or decreased to 5 mg per day depending on how the drug is working or any side effects experienced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The exact amount of Trintellix<\/a> that you’ll need to take and how long you\u2019ll need to take it will vary based on your individual symptoms and medical history. Taking higher doses or more than one dose of Trintellix in an attempt to make it work faster isn\u2019t safe and may cause side effects. This is why it\u2019s important to talk with your healthcare provider about the appropriate dosage for managing your anxiety. If you\u2019ve taken too much Trintellix you should call your doctor or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. They will be able to advise you on whether or not you should visit an emergency room or urgent care center.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Interactions<\/h3>\n

Trintellix shouldn\u2019t be taken at the same time as certain medications because of potential drug-drug interactions. It shouldn\u2019t be taken within two weeks of taking:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n