{"id":632568,"date":"2025-06-18T15:25:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T19:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632568"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:25:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T19:25:28","slug":"trintellix-side-effects-when-starting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trintellix-side-effects-when-starting\/","title":{"rendered":"Side effects of Trintellix when starting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trintellix<\/span><\/a> (vortioxetine) is an antidepressant approved for use in treating major depressive disorder (MDD). It\u2019s usually categorized as a serotonin modulator, which is similar to <\/span>selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)<\/span><\/a> but not exactly the same. Trintellix also has a slightly different side effect profile than some other common SSRIs, like <\/span>Zoloft<\/span><\/a> (sertraline) and <\/span>Prozac<\/span><\/a> (fluoxetine), often causing less weight gain but more gastrointestinal distress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about the side effects of starting Trintellix, including how to manage them, when they might improve, and when to contact your healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Trintellix used for?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 2013, the Food & Drug Administration approved Trintellix for use in treating symptoms of MDD, a severe and often chronic form of depression. But it is sometimes prescribed off-label for some <\/span>anxiety disorders<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trintellix is a serotonin modulator that works in two ways: by increasing serotonin levels in your brain, and by making that serotonin more available to be <\/span>used <\/span><\/i>by your brain. According to <\/span>Jasmine Kaur<\/span><\/a>, MD, psychiatrist with Mindpath Health, this makes Trintellix a multimodal antidepressant, especially since it also increases the levels of several other neurotransmitters in the brain, too, including norepinephrine.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to know about starting Trintellix<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about starting Trintellix or have just begun taking this medication, you might be wondering what to expect as far as dosage and timing. Although individual treatment plans vary, here\u2019s a general idea of what to expect when starting Trintellix.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trintellix starting dose\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Dr. Kaur, a typical dose of Trintellix is between 5 and 20 milligrams (mg), with most people starting at five or 10 mg and slowly increasing from there, if needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA maintenance dose depends on various factors, including your response to the medication, any interactions with other medications, and potential side effects,\u201d Dr. Kaur explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take Trintellix to start working?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trintellix takes about as long to start working as <\/span>most other antidepressants<\/span><\/a> do. Dr. Kaur says you might start noticing an improvement in your symptoms after two to three weeks, but it usually takes four to eight weeks before the medication is working at its full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

All <\/span>antidepressants carry a risk of side effects<\/span><\/a>, and Trintellix is no different. That said, as a serotonin modulator, Trintellix is known for potentially causing somewhat different <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> than some other common antidepressants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trintellix side effects when starting<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a wide range of potential side effects when it comes to starting Trintellix. <\/span>Nick Bach<\/span><\/a>, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in Louisville, Kentucky, says his patients have described everything from mild and temporary to challenging or persistent side effects, with the most common one being nausea.<\/span><\/p>\n

In clinical trials of Trintellix, about 25% of people experienced nausea. However, the nausea is often the worst when you first start taking Trintellix. In those same trials, only around 10% of people were still reporting nausea after being on the medication for six to eight weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Bach says you may be able to relieve some of the initial nausea after starting Trintellix by taking your dose with food, splitting up the dose, or adjusting the timing of your dose. Some people may also have cognitive side effects, like dizziness and brain fog, which also usually go away as your body adjusts to the medication, according to Dr. Bach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone is different, though, and University of Missouri Health Care psychiatrist <\/span>Ashish Sarangi<\/span><\/a>, MD, says your dose can play a role in the severity of your symptoms, with higher doses causing more side effects. For example, in the Trintellix clinical trials, the 10% of people still experiencing nausea after six to eight weeks on the drug were taking a dose between 10 and 20 mg (as opposed to 5 mg).<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other common side effects of starting Trintellix, per Dr. Sarangi, include:<\/span><\/p>\n