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Medication

Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

Vortioxetine, sold under the brand name Trintellix, is a prescription antidepressant. It belongs to a class of medications called serotonin modulators and stimulators, which means it increases serotonin levels by both blocking reuptake and directly affecting certain serotonin receptors. This unique action may help with both mood and cognitive symptoms of depression.

Learn About Vortioxetine Treatment

Connect with a psychiatric clinician—online or in person—for a comprehensive evaluation. If appropriate, they may discuss whether vortioxetine (Trintellix) could be part of your treatment plan.

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What Conditions Does Trintellix Treat?

FDA-Approved Uses:

How Psychiatric Medication Prescription Decisions Are Made

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Find a psychiatric clinician who meets your needs

Option 1

You can start by searching our psychiatrist directory to find a qualified provider who is accepting patients.

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Option 2

You may also choose to locate a nearby clinic and schedule your first appointment in person.

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2

Step 2: Meet one-on-one for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation

During your first session, a psychiatric clinician will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals. If appropriate, they may discuss whether a medication such as vortioxetine could be included in your care plan. Treatment decisions always prioritize safety, clinical best practices, and your individual needs.

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Step 3: Begin treatment and ongoing monitoring

After a personalized treatment plan is created, your provider will monitor your progress and adjust the plan as needed. If medication is part of your care, then, if clinically appropriate, your provider may handle prescription renewals online during or after regular follow-ups as clinically appropriate in accordance with LifeStance treatment protocols.

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Struggling with Depression?

Struggling with Depression?

Everyone’s experience with anxiety or depression is different. A psychiatrist may help you find the right treatment path—whether that includes Vortioxetine (Trintellix) or another option that fits your needs. Discuss medication options with your treating provider.

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FAQs About Trintellix

Trintellix (vortioxetine) is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Unlike some other antidepressants, no common off-label uses are listed in current clinical guidelines, although its mechanism of action indicates it may be useful for anxiety-related conditions.

Trintellix blocks serotonin reuptake, increasing the amount available in the brain, and also interacts with multiple serotonin receptors. This dual mechanism may improve mood and address cognitive symptoms sometimes associated with depression.

The most frequent side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, and sexual side effects. These usually appear during the first weeks of treatment and may lessen over time.

Trintellix is generally considered weight-neutral, meaning it has little effect on body weight in most patients. Individual experiences can vary.

Yes. Stopping Trintellix suddenly may cause discontinuation symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, or sleep problems. According to a 2024 study, one in six to seven patients (~15%) who abruptly discontinue their medication experience discontinuation symptoms. Always follow your psychiatric provider’s directions on when to stop taking medications or change dosages.

SSRIs and SNRIs primarily work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and/or norepinephrine. Trintellix does this but also directly affects multiple serotonin receptors, which may provide added benefits for certain patients, especially in terms of cognitive symptoms.

Trintellix can be prescribed long-term for managing depression, as long as it is effective and well-tolerated. Regular monitoring is important.

Trintellix is not known for being addictive when taken as prescribed by a clinician. It is not a controlled substance and usually does not cause dependence or cravings when taken as prescribed.

Some people notice improvements within 2 weeks, but the full effects typically take 4 to 6 weeks.

Try to avoid alcohol while on Trintellix. Alcohol can worsen side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgment. Trintellix may also make alcohol feel more intoxicating than usual.

Trintellix can interact with other antidepressants, migraine medications, blood thinners, antifungals, and antibiotics. Consult your prescribing clinician before starting, stopping, or combining any medications or substances with Trintellix.

Trintellix (vortioxetine) is only available as a brand-name medication, since no generic version currently exists in the United States. As of publication date, the price for a 30-day supply typically ranges from about $465.93 to $539.70, depending on the dose, pharmacy, and discount programs used.

Because there is no generic alternative, individuals often rely on insurance coverage, manufacturer copay cards, or patient assistance programs to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your supporting diagnosis and plan type (e.g., commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and may include a copay or coinsurance.

Trintellix is considered one of the newer antidepressants, first approved by the FDA in 2013 for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Its classification as a serotonin modulator and stimulator makes it different from traditional SSRIs and SNRIs, and it is often prescribed when patients don’t respond well to older medication options.

photo of LifeStance provider Joshua Nathan, MD

Medically Reviewed By:

Joshua Nathan, MD
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Dr. Joshua Nathan, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, sees stigma – from others and from ourselves - as the biggest challenge in mental illness treatment. He encourages people to not judge themselves on whatever problems they are facing, and he helps them feel safe to open up and allow for healing. Dr. Nathan takes joy in helping people with mental health concerns and values the trust patients place in him. Dr. Nathan treats adults struggling with mood and bipolar disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety challenges such as panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, PTSD, and more. He listens to each person’s story, observes how they are faring, and shares his understanding of what is happening, so there is a basis for starting or continuing treatment. He considers medications as one tool among many for healing and recovery in mental health. During treatment, Dr. Nathan uses an eclectic framework for understanding mental illness and coping. Trained in psychoanalysis, he finds that existential understanding helps many people reduce suffering, but cognitive-behavioral techniques are more practical in helping people move forward. Thus, he typically employs a combination of theories and techniques, guided by the patient's problems, needs, and experiences. He is also an Official ADHD Evaluator for the National Football League. Dr. Nathan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a medical doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and completed postgraduate residency training at Brown University. He works with adults of all ages, but has a special fondness for working with young and middle-age adults.

References

  1. Drugs.com. (n.d.). Trintellix prices, coupons, copay cards & patient assistance. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/trintellix

  2. Henssler, Jonathan et al. (2024) Incidence of antidepressant discontinuation symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, Volume 11, Issue 7, 526 – 535.

  3. Pfeffer, C. R. (2007). The FDA pediatric advisories and changes in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(6), 843-846. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2007.164.6.843

  4. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). Drugs@FDA database. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm

In 2007, the FDA released a black box warning that antidepressants were correlated to the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) during short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions. Gibbons et. al (2007) also published a study that found no evidence of antidepressant treatment increasing the risk of suicide attempts among its patients (ages 18-65+). The main message is that there is an inherent relationship between depression and suicidality so close monitoring of antidepressant-treated patients (especially children, adolescents, and young adults) is always necessary. For a comprehensive overview of these medications’ uses and risks, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug label.