Brintellix 20mg Tablets

Vortioxetine is an antidepressant used to treat depression in adults. It belongs to a group called serotonin modulators.

It works mainly by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural brain chemical that helps keep your mood balanced.

Take vortioxetine exactly as your doctor tells you, at about the same time each day.

• You can take it with or without food.
• It can take several weeks or longer to feel the full benefit. Keep taking it even when you feel better.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never take a double dose.
• Do not stop suddenly. Your doctor will lower the dose slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, headache, irritability, tingling, sweating or trouble sleeping.

Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during treatment.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick
• constipation
• unusual dreams
• sexual problems, such as low sex drive or difficulty with erection, ejaculation or orgasm

Call your doctor straight away or get emergency help if you have:

• rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• fever, sweating, confusion, a fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching, or hallucinations (possible serotonin syndrome)
• headache, unsteadiness or memory problems
• eye pain, vision changes or coloured rings around lights
• fits or fainting

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• are allergic to vortioxetine or any other medicine
• take, or have taken in the last 2 weeks, an MAOI such as phenelzine, selegiline, linezolid or methylene blue
• use St John's wort or tryptophan
• have had seizures or bleeding problems
• have had problems with alcohol, street drugs or overusing medicines
• have a risk of angle-closure glaucoma (ask about an eye check)

Wait at least 21 days after stopping vortioxetine before starting an MAOI.

Keep in the original container, tightly closed, at room temperature away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Suicidal thoughts: antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts in people under 24, especially early on or after a dose change. Get help straight away if you have new or worse depression, thoughts of self-harm, severe anxiety or agitation. Tell family or carers what to look for.

Driving: it may affect judgement and movement. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.

Alcohol: ask your doctor first, as alcohol can worsen side effects.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.