FAQs

TRINTELLIX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat a certain type of depression called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). TRINTELLIX has not been shown to be safe and effective for use in children.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common type of antidepressant used to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) by enhancing the activity of serotonin in specific pathways of the brain.

The mechanism of the antidepressant effect of TRINTELLIX is not fully understood. However, the antidepressant effect of both TRINTELLIX and SSRIs is thought to be related to their enhancement of serotonin activity in the central nervous system. Experts believe that MDD results when certain chemicals in the brain are out of balance. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, send messages from one brain cell to another by acting at specific receptors. The effect of TRINTELLIX is believed to be related to the inhibition of serotonin reuptake. In addition, TRINTELLIX blocks the activities of certain receptors while enhancing that of others. The contribution of these functions to TRINTELLIX's antidepressant effect has not been established.

• Experts believe that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) results when certain chemicals in the brain are out of balance. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, send messages from one brain cell to another by acting at specific receptors.
• Although it’s not fully understood, TRINTELLIX is thought to work as an antidepressant by enhancing the activity of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain by blocking serotonin reuptake.
• It also affects 5 serotonin receptors, but it’s not known whether this contributes to the antidepressant effect of TRINTELLIX.

Do not take TRINTELLIX for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give TRINTELLIX to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about TRINTELLIX that is written for health professionals.

The therapeutic effect of TRINTELLIX was generally seen starting at week 2, while the full antidepressant effect was generally not seen until week 4, or later. These results were based on a standardized depression rating scale in 6‑ to 8‑week studies. This makes it very important to follow your treatment plan, as directed by your healthcare professional. Individual results may vary.

• Talk to your doctor about the length of treatment with TRINTELLIX. Do not stop taking TRINTELLIX without consulting your doctor.
• Take TRINTELLIX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of TRINTELLIX until it is the right dose for you.
• Do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with TRINTELLIX without talking to your healthcare provider first.
  • Stopping TRINTELLIX suddenly may cause you to have serious side effects. See the “What are the possible side effects of TRINTELLIX?” FAQ below.

Before taking TRINTELLIX, tell your healthcare professional:

• about all your medical and other health conditions
• if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, since TRINTELLIX may harm your unborn baby. Taking TRINTELLIX during your third trimester may cause your baby to have withdrawal symptoms after birth or to be at increased risk for a serious lung problem at birth. Tell your doctor right away if you become or think you are pregnant while taking TRINTELLIX
• if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, since it is not known if TRINTELLIX passes into your breast milk

Do not start or take TRINTELLIX if you:

• are allergic to vortioxetine or any of the ingredients in TRINTELLIX
• are taking, or have stopped taking within the last 14 days, a medicine called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), including the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue

Do not start taking an MAOI for at least 21 days after you stop treatment with TRINTELLIX.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, since TRINTELLIX and some medicines may cause serious side effects (or may not work as well) when taken together.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• medicines for migraine headache called triptans
• tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, or buspirone
• opioids (such as fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine, and methadone)
• over-the-counter supplements such as tryptophan or St. John’s Wort
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• aspirin
• warfarin 
• diuretics
• medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• medicines used to treat seizures or convulsions

Ask your healthcare professional if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines. Before you take TRINTELLIX with any of these medicines, talk to your healthcare professional about serotonin syndrome. For more information, see the “What are the possible side effects of TRINTELLIX?” FAQ below. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare professional or pharmacist when you get new medicine.

• Antidepressant sexual side effects are not uncommon and vary among different medications. 
• Taking TRINTELLIX may cause sexual problems. Symptoms in males may include delayed ejaculation or inability to have an ejaculation; decreased sex drive; and problems getting or keeping an erection. Symptoms in females may include decreased sex drive; and delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm.
• There is a lot to talk about when it comes to side effects. Check out our TRINTELLIX Side Effects page for more information and helpful resources for discussions with your doctor.

• TRINTELLIX did not have a significant impact on weight compared to sugar pill in 6‑ to 8‑week short‑term studies and during a 6‑month phase of a long‑term study of patients who responded to TRINTELLIX.
• Some reports of weight gain have been received since product approval and also in a separate long‑term study.
• For more about possible side effects, see the FAQs above.

• Take TRINTELLIX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of TRINTELLIX until it is the right dose for you.
• Take TRINTELLIX 1 time each day.
• Take TRINTELLIX with or without food.
• If you take too much TRINTELLIX, call your Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

• Talk to your doctor about dosing and what time of day to take TRINTELLIX. Your healthcare provider will have specific instructions based on your individual treatment plan.

• This question is best suited for your doctor. 
• Take TRINTELLIX exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of TRINTELLIX until it is the right dose for you.
• Do not stop taking TRINTELLIX without consulting with you doctor. Abrupt discontinuation of using TRINTELLIX can lead to unwanted—and potentially dangerous—side effects.

• Speak with your doctor.
• A clinical study has shown that TRINTELLIX (single dose of 20 or 40 mg) did not increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by alcohol.

• Everyone is different. Talk to your doctor about dosing—your doctor can help find the right dosing regimen for you.
• The doses of TRINTELLIX approved in the US are 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. Do not take more or less than the dose your doctor prescribed.
• The efficacy and safety of doses above 20 mg/day have not been evaluated in controlled clinical trials.

The actual price you would pay is based on several factors, including your insurance coverage, which pharmacy you use, and deductibles. The list price (the total cost before insurance and/or savings offers are applied) for TRINTELLIX is $540.00 for a 30-day prescription.*

Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $10.00 for either a 30-day or 90-day prescription with the TRINTELLIX savings offer.^†

You can get an idea of the average cost you might pay below. However, your actual cost is based on your personal coverage, which may differ from the average.

Commercial (private) insurance average monthly out-of-pocket costs: $58.54

Medicare Part D average monthly out-of-pocket costs: $40.19

Medicaid average monthly out-of-pocket costs: $1.05

VA/Department of Defense insurance average monthly out-of-pocket costs: $61.00

No insurance average monthly out-of-pocket costs: $540.00

Learn more about Savings & Support.

*As of 01/01/2025.

^†Only commercially insured patients ages 18 and older are eligible for the TRINTELLIX Savings Card. The TRINTELLIX Savings Card cannot be used by patients in federal-, state-, or government-funded healthcare programs, or by cash patients. Savings of up to $100 per 30-day or $300 per 90-day prescription, with maximum total savings of $1,300 over one year. Restrictions apply. See Savings Card for full Eligibility Requirements and Terms & Conditions.

MDD is among the most common mental disorders in the United States. 

In 2020, an estimated 21 million people (aged 18 years or older) in the United States suffered from a major depressive episode. This represents around 8% of adults in the United States. Of those ~21 million people, an estimated 14.8 million US adults (aged 18 or older) had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 6% of all US adults.

Speed of processing is how quickly someone can process information, and is an aspect of cognition that can be affected by depression.