{"id":632490,"date":"2025-06-06T14:03:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T18:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632490"},"modified":"2025-09-18T11:35:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T15:35:43","slug":"does-trintellix-cause-weight-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-trintellix-cause-weight-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Trintellix cause weight gain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trintellix<\/span><\/a> (vortioxetine) is a relatively new antidepressant medication that was approved by the\u00a0 Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), a severe and persistent type of <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>, in adults. Clinical trials have shown Trintellix to be effective in treating MDD symptoms, with similar side effects to other common antidepressants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because <\/span>many types of antidepressants include weight gain as a possible side effect<\/span><\/a>, you may be wondering if the same is true for <\/span>Trintellix<\/span><\/a>. The manufacturer of Trintellix, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, doesn\u2019t include weight gain as a possible side effect on the drug label. But in the years since its approval, some people have reported gaining weight while taking it. So, does Trintellix cause weight gain or not? Here\u2019s what the experts say.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Trintellix work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trintellix is generally considered part of a class of antidepressants called serotonin modulators, though some experts also refer to it as an atypical antidepressant. It\u2019s not known exactly <\/span>how Trintellix works<\/span>, other than that it balances out the amount of serotonin in your brain. <\/span>Serotonin<\/span> is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating many different functions, including mood, sleep, libido, blood clotting, and digestion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Mahreen Ahmed<\/span><\/a>, MD, a psychiatrist with Mindpath Health, <\/span>Trintellix\u2019s influence on serotonin levels could a\ufb00ect appetite and metabolism, causing some people to experience weight changes, but it\u2019s still considered a weight-neutral drug that isn\u2019t known to directly impact weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Trintellix cause weight gain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most people taking Trintellix won\u2019t experience weight gain. In fact, Dr. Ahmed says Trintellix is one of the least likely antidepressants to cause weight changes, especially compared to alternatives like <\/span>tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, it\u2019s not impossible to gain weight while taking Trintellix. In initial short-term clinical trials, weight gain was not found to be a side effect, but in <\/span>a long-term 2013 study<\/span><\/a>, more than 4% of participants reported weight gain while taking Trintellix for about one year. The average weight gain between the beginning and end of the study was around 1.4 pounds. Since then, <\/span>Takeda Pharmaceuticals has updated its side effect information<\/span><\/a> to acknowledge that weight gain was reported after the drug received approval by the FDA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that other factors could contribute to a 1.4-pound weight gain while taking Trintellix that don\u2019t actually relate to the drug. According to <\/span>Nick Bach<\/span><\/a>, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist in Louisville, Kentucky, depression itself can impact your metabolism, appetite, and activity levels, especially if you are undereating, overeating, or exercising less as a result of your symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Common Trintellix side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most common <\/span>side effects of Trintellix<\/span><\/a> are nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Nausea is especially common, affecting about 25% of people on Trintellix, though most people find that their nausea decreases the longer they\u2019re on the drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other less common side effects of Trintellix include diarrhea, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and itching. Strange dreams and <\/span>sexual side effects<\/span><\/a>, like decreased sex drive, <\/span>have also been reported<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Serious Trintellix side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like all medications, there are some potentially serious side effects you could experience while taking Trintellix, including:<\/span><\/p>\n