Caring for Someone with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

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Caregiver support

TRINTELLIX® (vortioxetine) 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.

  

Caring for someone with Major Depressive Disorder. 

If someone you care about has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), you can help support them in many ways. You can start by educating yourself about the condition and learning how you can help support your loved one throughout their journey. Being a caregiver for someone with MDD can be difficult for you as well, so don’t forget to take the time to look after yourself. These practical strategies can help you move forward together.
 

Encourage your loved one to get help

Encourage your loved one to visit their healthcare professional to seek help. Offer to help them make a list of symptoms to share with their healthcare professional, using the symptom checklist to get started. You can also accompany your loved one to their appointments, and remind them to stay on track with follow‑up visits as scheduled.

 

Be understanding

Remember that MDD is a complex medical condition. Offer your loved one support and patience.

 

Keep communicating

Talk to your loved one; listen carefully and without judgment. Never ignore comments about suicide or self-harm—notify a healthcare professional immediately.

 

Stay connected to your loved ones

Continue to invite your loved one to participate in outings and activities. Let your loved one know that they are an important part of your life.

 

Consider talking to a healthcare professional

A professional can help you and your loved one work through difficult conversations and feelings.

 

MYTH!

No one chooses to be depressed. Depression is a complex medical condition. It is not caused by laziness, weakness, or simply feeling sad. The exact cause is unknown, but it's most likely a combination of several factors: genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological. You cannot control your loved one’s recovery, but you can support them along the way.

  

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Resources

Looking for support to help your loved ones with MDD?
Check out our resources that you can email or download.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION about TRINTELLIX

Suicidal Thoughts & Actions

TRINTELLIX and other antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. TRINTELLIX is not for use in children. Depression or other mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay close attention to any changes, especially new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions. Call your doctor or get emergency help right away to report any of these, or if you have symptoms such as suicidal thoughts or actions, impulsivity, aggressive or violent actions, depression, anxiety or panic attacks, agitation, restlessness, anger, irritability, trouble sleeping, an increase in activity or talking, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood; especially if they are new, worse, or worry you.

Who should not take TRINTELLIX?

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.

What should I tell my doctor before taking TRINTELLIX?

Before taking TRINTELLIX, tell your doctor:

  • 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

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; tramadol, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, or other opioids; tryptophan; buspirone; St. John’s Wort; medicines that can affect blood clotting such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin; diuretics; medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic, or thought disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); or medicines used to treat seizures or convulsions.

What are the possible side effects of TRINTELLIX?

TRINTELLIX may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serotonin syndrome: A potentially life‐threatening problem that can happen when you take TRINTELLIX with certain other medicines. Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation; seeing or hearing things that are not real; confusion; coma; fast heart-beat; changes in blood pressure; dizziness; sweating; flushing; high body temperature; shaking, stiff muscles, or muscle twitching; loss of coordination; seizures; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Increased risk of bleeding: Taking TRINTELLIX with aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin or blood thinners may add to this risk. Tell your doctor right away about any unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Manic episodes: Manic episodes may happen in people with bipolar disorder who take TRINTELLIX. Symptoms may include: greatly increased energy; racing thoughts; unusually grand ideas; talking more or faster than usual; severe problems sleeping; reckless behavior; excessive happiness or irritability.
  • Discontinuation syndrome: Suddenly stopping TRINTELLIX may cause you to have serious side effects including: nausea; sweating; changes in your mood; irritability and agitation; dizziness; electric shock feeling; tremor; anxiety; confusion; headache; tiredness; problems sleeping; hypomania; ringing in your ears; seizures.
  • Eye problems: TRINTELLIX may cause a type of eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain other eye conditions. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are. Call your doctor if you have eye pain, changes in your vision, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
  • Low levels of salt (sodium) in your blood: Low sodium levels in your blood that may be serious and may cause death can happen during treatment with TRINTELLIX. Elderly people and people who take certain medicines may be at a greater risk for developing low sodium levels in their blood. Signs and symptoms may include headache; difficulty concentrating; memory changes; confusion; weakness and unsteadiness on your feet which can lead to falls. In more severe or more sudden cases, signs and symptoms include: seeing or hearing things that are not real; fainting; seizures; coma; stopping breathing.
  • Sexual problems: Taking TRINTELLIX may cause sexual problems. Symptoms in males may include: delayed ejaculation or inability to have an ejaculation, decreased sex drive, or problems getting or keeping an erection. Symptoms in females may include: decreased sex drive, or delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm. Talk to your doctor if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment with TRINTELLIX.

The most common side effects of TRINTELLIX include:

  • nausea
  • constipation
  • vomiting

These are not all the possible side effects of TRINTELLIX. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088.

What is TRINTELLIX (vortioxetine)?

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.

 

There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to antidepressants and their babies. If you become pregnant during treatment with TRINTELLIX, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at 

For additional Important Safety Information, click here for Medication Guide, and discuss with your doctor.