Uses
Vortioxetine is used to treat depression in adults. Vortioxetine is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. It works mainly by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Side Effects Of Vortioxetine
Vortioxetine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- gas
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- unusual dreams
- changes in sexual desire or ability
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS sections, call your doctor immediately:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness
- nosebleed
- headache
- difficulty concentrating
- memory problems
- confusion
- weakness
- unsteadiness
- hallucinations
- fainting
- seizures
- coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
Vortioxetine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking vortioxetine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vortioxetine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in vortioxetine tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) or if you have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks. Your doctor may tell you not to take vortioxetine. If you stop taking vortioxetine, you should wait at least 21 days before you start to take an MAO inhibitor.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, and vitamins, nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antidepressants (‘mood elevators’) such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin, Zyban); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); buspirone; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol); diuretics (‘water pills’); fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Lazanda, others); lithium (Lithobid); medications for mental illness; medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); other selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Prozac, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft); serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq), and venlafaxine (Effexor); and tramadol (Conzip, Ulltram). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor what herbal products and nutritional supplements you are taking, especially St. John’s wort and tryptophan.
- tell your doctor if you have a low level of sodium in your blood if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, and if you have or have ever had seizures, bleeding problems, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking vortioxetine, call your doctor. Vortioxetine may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last few months of pregnancy.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or a medical test that involves dyes, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking vortioxetine.
- you should know that vortioxetine may affect your judgment, thinking, and movements. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking vortioxetine.
- you should know that vortioxetine may cause angle-closure glaucoma (a condition where the fluid is suddenly blocked and unable to flow out of the eye causing a quick, severe increase in eye pressure which may lead to a loss of vision). Talk to your doctor about having an eye examination before you start taking this medication. If you have nausea, eye pain, changes in vision, such as seeing colored rings around lights, and swelling or redness in or around the eye, call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment right away.
Vortioxetine Dosage
Vortioxetine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take vortioxetine at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take vortioxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may adjust your dose of vortioxetine depending on how well you respond to treatment and whether you experience side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with vortioxetine.
It may take 2 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of vortioxetine. Continue to take vortioxetine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking vortioxetine without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking vortioxetine, you may experience side effects including headache, muscle stiffness, mood swings, outbursts of anger, dizziness, or runny nose. Your doctor may decrease your dose gradually.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test (especially those that involve methylene blue), tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking vortioxetine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
