Vortioxetine
/api/v1/drug/vortioxetineBoxed warning
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . TRINTELLIX is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Closely monitor for worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors ( 5.1 ). TRINTELLIX is not approved for use in pediatric patients ( 8.4 ).
Mechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAThe mechanism of the antidepressant effect of vortioxetine is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through inhibition of the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). It also has several other activities including 5-HT3 receptor antagonism and 5-HT1A receptor agonism.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- TRINTELLIX is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. TRINTELLIX is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults ( 1 , 14 ).ICD-10: F32.9
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Hypersensitivity to vortioxetine or any component of the formulation. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria have been reported in patients treated with TRINTELLIX [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] .contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAThe recommended starting dose is 10 mg administered orally once daily without regard to meals ( 2.1 ). The dose should then be increased to 20 mg/day, as tolerated ( 2.1 ). Consider 5 mg/day for patients who do not tolerate higher doses ( 2.1 ). TRINTELLIX can be discontinued abruptly. However, it is recommended that doses of 15 mg/day or 20 mg/day be reduced to 10 mg/day for one week prior to full discontinuation if possible ( 2.3 ). The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg/day in known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers ( 2.5 ). 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended starting dose is 10 mg administered orally once daily without regard to meals. Dosage should then be increased to 20 mg/day, as tolerated. The efficacy and safety of doses above 20 mg/day have not been evaluated in controlled clinical trials. A dose decrease down to 5 mg/day may be considered for patients who do not tolerate higher doses [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . 2.2 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting TRINTELLIX Prior to initiating treatment with TRINTELLIX or another antidepressant, screen patients for personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . 2.3 Discontinuing Treatment Although TRINTELLIX can be abruptly discontinued, in placebo-controlled trials patients experienced transient adverse reactions such as headache and muscle tension following abrupt discontinuation of TRINTELLIX 15 mg/day or 20 mg/day.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDASerotonin Syndrome : Increased risk when coadministered with other serotonergic agents, but also when taken alone. If it occurs, discontinue TRINTELLIX and serotonergic agents and initiate supportive measures ( 5.2 ). Increased Risk of Bleeding : Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation may increase risk ( 5.3 ). Activation of Mania/Hypomania : Screen patients for bipolar disorder ( 5.4 ). Angle Closure Glaucoma: Angle closure glaucoma has occurred in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles treated with antidepressants ( 5.6 ). Hyponatremia : Can occur in association with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) ( 5.7 ). Sexual Dysfunction: TRINTELLIX may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction ( 5.8 ). 5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label. Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications (4) ] Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Risk of Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Activation of Mania/Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Discontinuation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Angle Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were: nausea, constipation and vomiting ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. at 1-877-TAKEDA-7 (1-877-825-3327) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDAPregnancy: Third trimester use may increase risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension and withdrawal in the newborn ( 8.1 ). 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/. Risk Summary Based on data from published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs or SNRIs, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Considerations ] . There are limited human data on TRINTELLIX use during pregnancy to inform any drug-associated risks. However, there are clinical considerations regarding neonates exposed to SSRIs and SNRIs, including TRINTELLIX, during the third trimester of pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations ] . Vortioxetine administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses ≥15 times and 10 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively, resulted in decreased fetal body weight and delayed ossification.
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- Vortioxetine pharmacological activity is due to the parent drug. The pharmacokinetics of vortioxetine (2.5 mg to 60 mg) are linear and dose-proportional when vortioxetine is administered once daily.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAThere is limited clinical trial experience regarding human overdosage with TRINTELLIX. In premarketing clinical studies, cases of overdose were limited to patients who accidentally or intentionally consumed up to a maximum dose of 40 mg of TRINTELLIX. The maximum single dose tested was 75 mg in men. Ingestion of TRINTELLIX in the dose range of 40 to 75 mg was associated with increased rates of nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, generalized pruritus, somnolence, and flushing. There have been postmarketing reports of overdoses of TRINTELLIX. The most frequently reported symptoms with overdoses up to 80 mg (four times the maximum recommended daily dose) were nausea and vomiting. With overdoses greater than 80 mg, a case of serotonin syndrome in combination with another serotonergic drug, and a case of seizure, have been reported. No specific antidotes for TRINTELLIX are known. Consider contacting the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Sep 30, 2013NDANDA204447Takeda Pharms Usa
FAERS reports
- 1Nausea2,23313%
- 2Fatigue1,1987.2%
- 3Drug Ineffective1,0956.6%
- 4Headache1,0506.3%
- 5Anxiety1,0276.2%
- 6Vomiting1,0096.1%
- 7Suicidal Ideation9175.5%
- 8Insomnia9165.5%
- 9Off Label Use9055.4%
- 10Dizziness8755.3%
- 11Diarrhoea8194.9%
- 12Pruritus7764.7%
- 13Asthenia7724.6%
- 14Depression7524.5%
- 15Feeling Abnormal6754.1%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Vortioxetine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Real-World Vortioxetine Prescription for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using a Japanese Health Insurance Claims Database.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2026 · Kato M, Hoshino T, Kawata Y, et al.PMID 42234570DOI 10.1002/npr2.70133
- Unveiling the neuroprotective potential of vortioxetine on inflammation in the cuprizone-induced demyelination model.Experimental brain research · 2026 · Özkan A, Koca PPMID 42126609DOI 10.1007/s00221-026-07294-x
- Changes in functional connectivity of the default mode network and thalamus may be a therapeutic mechanism for the treatment of major depressive disorder with vortioxetine.Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging · 2026 · Song Z, Wang H, Jin M, et al.PMID 41889049DOI 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2026.112199
- Effectiveness and Tolerability of Vortioxetine in Major Depressive Disorder: A Real-World Study in Switzerland.Clinical drug investigation · 2026 · Kammerer M, Hasler G, Hochstrasser B, et al.PMID 41832924DOI 10.1007/s40261-026-01537-z
- Development of long-acting intramuscular vortioxetine pamoate suspensions: Formulation optimization and pharmacokinetic evaluation.European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V · 2026 · Li Y, Wang T, Liu M, et al.PMID 41720199DOI 10.1016/j.ejpb.2026.115028
- Vortioxetine: A comprehensive profile.Profiles of drug substances, excipients, and related methodology · 2026 · Anwar Z, Sabir S, Sheraz MA, et al.PMID 41714066DOI 10.1016/bs.podrm.2025.12.003
- Successful bioequivalence prediction of immediate-release vortioxetine tablets through prospective virtual crossover and parallel trials.Journal of pharmaceutical sciences · 2026 · Danielak D, Staniszewska M, Romanova S, et al.PMID 41698481DOI 10.1016/j.xphs.2026.104208
- Evaluation of Vortioxetine on Global DNA Methylation in Maternal and Offspring Rats and In Silico Molecular Docking to Key Epigenetic Enzymes.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026 · Günay M, Hız-Çelikliyurt MM, Akkuş G, et al.PMID 41596578DOI 10.3390/ijms27020931
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 118 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Vortioxetine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Vortioxetine for Cognitive Function in ALK-positive NSCLC Treated With LorlatinibRecruiting · Observational · 24 enrolled · Centro de Tratamiento e Investigación sobre Cáncer, Luis Carlos Sarmiento AnguloNCT07633626updated 2026-06-08
- Bioequivalence Study of Vortioxetine in 20 mg Coated Tablets in Healthy Subjects Under Fasting ConditionsCompleted · Phase 1 · Interventional · 20 enrolled · ADIUMNCT07624357updated 2026-06-03
- A Study of Vortioxetine in Japanese Pediatric Patients With Major Depressive DisorderRecruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 180 enrolled · TakedaNCT07204314updated 2026-05-22
- Vortioxetine in Depression and Concomitant MigraineRecruiting · Observational · 31 enrolled · Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCSNCT07579481updated 2026-05-12
- Fortifying Healthy Behaviors, Optimizing Medical Therapies and Enhancing Cognitive Function in Older Adults-pilot StudyCompleted · Phase 2 · Interventional · 23 enrolled · Washington University School of MedicineNCT07000734updated 2026-05-05
- Combining Data Sources to Identify Effect Moderation for Personalized Mental HealthCompleted · Observational · 9,586 enrolled · Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthNCT05267873updated 2026-04-13
- Vortioxetine for the Treatment of Mood and Cognitive Symptoms in Frontotemporal DementiaRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · Johns Hopkins UniversityNCT06604520updated 2026-03-09
- RNA Editing as a Biomarker of Antidepressant Response in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression (EDIT-ANDRE)Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 120 enrolled · Mayo ClinicNCT07266545updated 2026-02-23
- Discontination of Antidepressants in Remitted DepressionNot yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 150 enrolled · Universita di VeronaNCT07393919updated 2026-02-06
- Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Adolescent Depression (STAR-AD)Recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 520 enrolled · First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityNCT05814640updated 2026-01-27
Pharmacogenomics
CPIC-curated drug–gene pairs for Vortioxetine. Levels describe the strength of curated evidence and guideline status — never a recommendation to test or to adjust therapy.
- CYP2C19CPIC C
- CYP2D6CPIC AClinPGx 1AFDA label: Actionable PGx
- HTR2ACPIC C
- SLC6A4CPIC C
Frequently asked questions
- How does Vortioxetine work?
- The mechanism of the antidepressant effect of vortioxetine is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through inhibition of the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). It also has several other activities including 5-HT3 receptor antagonism and 5-HT1A receptor agonism.
- What is Vortioxetine used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Vortioxetine carries indications including: TRINTELLIX is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. TRINTELLIX is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults ( 1 , 14 ).. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Vortioxetine?
- Vortioxetine is classified as Other antidepressants, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Serotonin 5HT-3 Antagonists, Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors, Increased Central Nervous System Serotonin Activity.
- What are the brand names for Vortioxetine?
- Vortioxetine is marketed under brand names including Trintellix.
- What are the contraindications for Vortioxetine?
- Vortioxetine labeling lists contraindications including: Hypersensitivity to vortioxetine or any component of the formulation. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria have been reported in patients treated with TRINTELLIX [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] .. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
vortioxetine is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.