How long are Brintellix (vortioxetine) side effects likely to last?

March 8, 2016 7:26 AM

I started Brintellix (vortioxetine) 5 days ago and am wondering how long the side effects are likely to last?

I started 5mg Brintellix (vortioxetine) for anxiety and PTSD hypervigilance 5 days ago.

I got the following brand new side effects today:

irritability
impatience
mentally foggy
increased heat sensitivity
increased sweating
teeth clenching
constipation

Anyone have any idea how long these side effects are likely to last?

posted by Year of meteors to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I've generally heard suggestions to give antidepressants two weeks to settle out. But I didn't experience any of these side effects with Brintellix, so I don't know. I'd really recommend calling your doctor with this question -- some of those side effects sound super unpleasant!
posted by snowmentality at 7:38 AM on March 8, 2016

Response by poster: snowmentality: I can't get in with the psychiatrist who did the prescribing until April, he's super busy.

I could see my GP, but she's already told me that she's really not that familiar with Brintellix, because it's quite a new med.
posted by Year of meteors at 8:00 AM on March 8, 2016

Personally it took about two weeks of night sweats, clenching teeth, and carsickness in every moving vehicle before my symptoms subsided, as it did with other SSRIs I've been prescribed. Hang in there, and if they've not subsided in one month, give your psychiatrist a call.
posted by theraflu at 8:34 AM on March 8, 2016

Call the psychiatrist and leave a message asking how long to hang in. He or she will get back to you, either directly or through his/her receptionist. Otherwise, new psychiatrist; this is what you pay for.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 6:17 PM on March 8, 2016

It does take a month for any AD to truly settle but I had a horrible time, most of the symptoms you had, on it and the withdrawal was worse. Now I imagine the withdrawal wouldn't have been so bad if I could have actually afforded the medication but my insurance wouldn't cover it. That might not be your situation but just saying it is that new so be on the lookout.

Personally, I had to stop because the medication was impairing my life. If you so stop, please please please cut down the dosages and don't quit cold turkey. I lost most of February because of my withdrawal.

Anyway, this is just anecdotal and it has worked for many people but it did not for me. Even before the withdrawal, it left me in a state where I struggled to make the right decisions and my irratability was so bad I got a speeding ticket and had to replace two tires because of how awful a driver it made me (and usually my anxiety makes me a very careful one).

I would still try to stay it on a month but if your life is severely impaired, let your psych know (do they have a nurses hotline?) and see if you can slowly stop taking it.
posted by thischarmingirl at 9:48 PM on March 11, 2016