Vortioxetine: uses and side effects of the psychoactive drug

Psychiatric or psychological medication, like other pharmacological treatments, are not perfect. Therefore, research in the pharmaceutical field is essential to achieve new advances that guarantee not only more effective medicines, but also safer ones.

One of the most representative examples is the appearance on the market of vortioxetine, commercially known under the name of Brintellix. It is a highly effective antidepressant drug that we will talk about throughout this article. As well as its functions, side effects and precautions during its consumption.

• Related article: "Types of antidepressants: characteristics and effects"

What is vortioxetine and what is it used for?

Vortioxetine is a relatively new drug classified within the drugs known as serotonin modulators and whose main task is to increase the flow of this neurotransmitter, favoring mental or psychological stability. For this reason, its main field of action is related to the treatment of depressive disorders.

This drug was launched on the market in 2016 by the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck and its importance lies in the fact that it has been described as the first drug, within

a new conception of antidepressants, with multimodal mechanisms of action.

In addition to having demonstrated great and extensive efficacy in the treatment of depression, it is also distinguished for being a drug with an excellent tolerability profile. Regarding its multimodal action, vortioxetine has shown not only an effective antidepressant effect, but also It turns out to be very effective when it comes to reducing the cognitive symptoms of depression, as well as to achieve a general improvement in it major depressive disorder.

In the same way, it has also been revealed as an effective alternative to treatments with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for those patients who do not respond well to treatment with these. Other of the many benefits of vortioxetine its outstanding effectiveness as maintenance treatment when it comes to avoiding the reappearance of symptoms or relapses in adults and elderly patients with depression.

The main difference between this drug and traditional SSRI and SNR antidepressants It is that vortioxetine, in addition to inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, has the ability to regulate the activity of some of its receptors.

Therefore, it is hypothesized that this multimodal action is responsible for producing the antidepressant, anxiolytic and decreased cognitive symptoms so characteristic of this medicine; without, in addition, generating a large number of unwanted side effects.

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How is this antidepressant administered?

Vortioxetine is marketed in tablet format for oral administration. Usually, it is recommended to take a dose of between 5 and 10 milligrams daily, depending on the patient's condition. That is, a daily tablet preferably always at the same time.

However, it is necessary to specify that these are only general indications for administration, so it is vitally important that the patient follow to the letter the instructions given by the medical professional. This means that the patient should never modify the recommended dose of vortioxetine, either by excess or by default. On the contrary, it is very likely that it will experience serious side effects such as severe mood swings or violent outbursts.

Since vortioxetine is a psychiatric drug, it is very possible that drug treatment will be started gradually, starting with lower doses that increase as the first weeks of treatment pass.

Therapeutic effects of vortioxetine may take several weeks. in being perceived. Therefore, whether the patient does not feel any improvement or if they experience some type of side effect that may be annoying, under no circumstances should you stop taking the medication, but go to your doctor and have him readjustment.

Side effects that lead to abrupt withdrawal of vortioxetine may include severe headaches, increased muscle stiffness, mood disturbances, dizziness, dizziness, or runny nose.

What side effects can it have?

As with the vast majority of psychiatric medication, vortioxetine can lead to a number of side effects which, depending on the intensity and duration with which they appear, can be really annoying for the patient.

These consequences can be divided into those side effects that are not serious, so they do not require medical attention and those other more serious or serious in which it will be necessary to go to the specialist's office as soon as possible possible.

1. Non-serious side effects

Among the side effects that do not pose a serious health risk, we find the following:

• Nausea.
• vomiting
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Flatulence.
• dry mouth
• Vertigo or dizziness.
• Unusual dreams.
• Alterations in desire and/or sexual capacity or performance.

2. serious side effects

In the event that the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they should not abandon the medication, but it is necessary to inform the relevant professional so that it can be adjusted.

• Skin changes such as rashes, hives, or itching.
• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Hoarseness.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Bruising, bleeding, or bruising with no apparent or known cause.
• Bleeds in the nose.
• headaches.
• Concentration problems.
• memory alterations.
• Feeling of confusion
• Muscular weakness.
• Imbalance.
• hallucinations.
• Seizures.
• Fainting or loss of consciousness for a period of time (coma).

What precautions should be taken with its consumption?

Before starting treatment with vortioxetine, the patient must report any special health condition in which you are, as well as if you are taking any type of medication, with or without a prescription. Especially if they are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs, since they can cause serious interference with the treatment.

In the same way, before starting treatment the patient must notify the medical specialist if you suffer from any allergies or if you are taking some type of vitamin supplement or even some complex of natural herbs, as these can also cause interference with the action of the vortioxetine.

As for pregnant patients, it has been observed that vortioxetine can cause a whole series of problems in newborns, especially if administered in the last months of pregnancy. Therefore, the patient must report whether she is pregnant or plans to become pregnant in order to adjust or modify the medication.

Finally, vortioxetine can affect reasoning ability as well as the accuracy of movements, so those patients who include it in their daily routine driving or operating heavy machinery they should pay special attention to these symptoms and, as far as possible, stop these activities during treatment.