Vortioxetine: uses and side effects of the psychotropic drug

This Antidepressant drug has been shown to be effective against major depression.

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

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

What is vortioxetine and what is it used for?

Vortioxetine is a relatively new drug classified as an antidepressant. within the group of drugs known as serotonin modulators and whose main purpose 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 a new conception of antidepressantswith multimodal mechanisms of action.

In addition to having demonstrated great and extensive efficacy in the treatment of depression, it is also distinguished as a drug with a superb tolerability profile. As for its multimodal action, vortioxetine has shown not only an effective antidepressant effect, but also proves to be very effective in reducing the cognitive symptoms of depression, as well as in achieving an overall improvement in major depressive disorder.

In the same way, it has also proved to be an effective alternative to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) treatments for patients who do not respond well to treatment with these. Another of the many benefits of vortioxetine is its outstanding effectiveness as a maintenance treatment in preventing the recurrence of symptoms or relapses in adult and elderly patients with depression.

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

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

How is this antidepressant administered?

Vortioxetine is marketed in a tablet form in tablet form for oral administration. It is usually recommended to ingest a dose of between 5 and 10 milligrams daily, depending on the patient's condition. That is, one tablet daily, preferably always at the same time.

However, it is necessary to specify that these are only some general indications for administration, so it is of vital importance for the patient to the indications given by the medical professional to the letter.. This means that the patient should never modify the recommended dose of vortioxetine, neither by excess nor by defect. On the contrary, it is very likely that the patient will experience serious side effects such as severe mood alterations or strong outbursts of anger.

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

The therapeutic effects of vortioxetine may take several weeks to be perceived. to be perceived. Therefore, whether the patient does not feel any improvement or experiences any side effects that may be bothersome, under no circumstances should the patient stop taking the medication, but rather go to the doctor and have the medication readjusted.

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

What are the possible side effects?

As with the vast majority of psychiatric medication, vortioxetine may have a number of side effects. can have a number of side effects which, depending on the intensity and 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 and therefore do not require medical attention, and those more serious or severe ones in which it will be necessary to visit a specialist as soon as possible.

1. Non-serious side effects

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

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Flatulence.
• Dry mouth.
• dizziness or lightheadedness.
• 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, the medication should not be discontinued but it is necessary to inform the relevant professional so that it can be adjusted.

• Skin alterations such as rashes, hives or itching.
• Inflammation of the eyes, face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Hoarseness.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• Bruising, bleeding or bruising with no apparent or known cause.
• Nosebleeds.
• Headaches.
• Concentration problems.
• Memory disturbances.
• Feeling of confusion.
• Muscle weakness.
• Imbalance.
• hallucinations
• Convulsions.
• 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 should inform of any special health condition in which he/she is and if he/she is taking any type of medication, with or without prescription. Especially if they are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs, since they can generate serious interferences with the treatment.

In the same way, before starting treatment the patient should inform the medical specialist if he/she suffers from any allergy. or if you are taking any type of vitamin supplement or even a natural herbal complex, as these may also interfere with the action of vortioxetine.

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

Finally, vortioxetine may affect the ability to reason as well as the accuracy of movements, so those patients whose daily routine includes driving or operating heavy machinery should pay special attention to these symptoms and, as far as possible, cease these activities during treatment.