Have you ever been prescribed medication by a doctor to treat a condition called depression, where you feel hopeless, hopeless, and bored with life? If so, you may be familiar with the name Vortioxetine. It is widely available in Sri Lanka under the brand name Trintellix. So, it is very important to have a correct understanding of any medication given for mental health. Today, let's talk about this Vortioxetine drug, as simply as if you were talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is Vortioxetine?
Vortioxetine is a special medicine that is used to treat a condition called depression. Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain that controls our mood. Think of this serotonin as a little man who controls things like happiness and calmness in our minds. When we have depression, this serotonin level can decrease. So what this medicine does is increase the amount of serotonin in the brain and improve your mood.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you start taking this medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. If you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor .
| For you or someone in your family... | Description |
|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | If you or someone in your family has or has had this mental condition. |
| A tendency to bleed easily | A bleeding disorder means that there is a tendency for bleeding to not stop even from a small wound. |
| Glaucoma | If you have glaucoma, a condition where the pressure in your eyes increases. |
| Liver diseases | If you have any type of liver disease. |
| Low sodium in the blood | If you have previously been diagnosed with low blood sodium levels. |
| If you have had seizures before | If you have had seizures before, tell us about it. |
| Thoughts of ending your life | If you or someone in your family has had previous suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts. |
| Anticoagulant | If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin and Aspirin. |
| MAOI type medication | If you have taken an MAOI medication such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate within the past 14 days. |
| Other allergies | If you have allergies to this medicine or any other medicines, foods, or preservatives. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- Try to take it at the same time every day . This will help maintain the same effectiveness of the medicine.
- You can take it before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to take it with food .
- Most importantly: Even if you feel better, do not stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to. Stopping it suddenly can cause other problems.
Warning: This medicine has been prescribed for you only . Never share it with anyone else, even if the other person has the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Yes, it can happen. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not delay.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements, as some medications can interact with Vortioxetine and cause dangerous side effects.
| Do not take with Vortioxetine (DO NOT TAKE with these) | |
|---|---|
| MAOI-type antidepressants | Eg: Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate |
| Linezolid | (An antibiotic) |
| Methylene blue | (A vaccine) |
| Use with caution when taking these. | |
| Blood thinners | Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac |
| Other antidepressants and medications for mental illness | Other SSRI, SNRI type medications |
| Some medications for migraines | Triptan medications such as sumatriptan |
| Strong painkillers like Tramadol and Fentanyl | Taken together, these increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. |
| Herbal Supplements | Things like St. John's Wort |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. The doctor wants to know if your condition is improving or not.
- Mood changes: Suicidal thoughts have been found to increase during the initial stages of treatment, especially in young people. Therefore, if you or your family members experience any of these changes , you should tell your doctor immediately .
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up suddenly from a sitting position, especially if you are an elderly person.
- When you have depression, you may lose weight and lose your appetite. When your mood improves with medication, your appetite may return, which may lead to some weight gain.
- Body weight usually increases slightly with age.
- Vortioxetine (Trintellix) is an effective medication for depression, but it should only be used under the guidance of a doctor .
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and all of your medical conditions .
- It can take 4 to 12 weeks for the medicine to work. So be patient . Don't expect immediate results.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- Be aware of dangerous side effects (especially serotonin syndrome symptoms, unusual bleeding, suicidal thoughts). If you experience any of these , seek medical advice immediately .
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
Be very aware of sudden changes in your mood, such as feeling anxious, irritable, easily angered, restless, or unable to sleep. These can be especially noticeable after a recent change in medication dosage.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some are dangerous, some are normal.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomiting coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, and small red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Unexplained anxiety, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness or tremors, excessive sweating, high fever, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea. This is an emergency. |
| Decreased sodium in the blood | Muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headaches, memory loss. |
| Sudden changes in the eyes | Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and halos around lights. |
| Deterioration of mental state | Thoughts of suicide, increasing depression. |
| Things you should tell your doctor if they are common but persist | |
| Nausea/vomiting | It often occurs early and then subsides. |
| Constipation | It can be controlled by drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber. |
| Changes in sexual desire or function | If this is a problem for you, talk to your doctor. |
Does this medicine cause weight gain?
This is a question that many people ask. Weight gain is not listed as a side effect of Vortioxetine. However, some people have reported it. There could be several reasons for this.
If you have a problem with weight gain, talk to your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න