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Multimodal Antidepressant — Serotonin Modulator

Vortioxetine

Brand names: Brintellix, Trintellix

Vortioxetine is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits the serotonin transporter while also acting as an agonist, partial agonist or antagonist at several serotonin receptor subtypes, producing a multimodal effect on serotonergic neurotransmission.

Prescribing in practice

  • Carries a risk of serotonin syndrome, particularly when combined with other serotonergic agents or MAO inhibitors, which are contraindicated.
  • Nausea is the most common adverse effect and tends to diminish over the first few weeks of treatment.
  • Withdraw gradually where feasible and monitor for suicidal ideation, especially in younger adults during early treatment.

Monitoring

Monitor mood, response and emergence of suicidal ideation, especially during initiation and dose changes.

Counselling the patient

  • It may take several weeks before the full antidepressant benefit is felt.
  • Report any agitation, confusion, fever or muscle twitching promptly.
  • Do not stop the medicine abruptly without medical advice.

Evidence & guidelines

NICE recommends antidepressants as an option for moderate to severe depression alongside psychological therapy.

Reference: Alvarez et al. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; McIntyre et al. J Psychopharmacol 2014 (FOCUS); NICE NG222; MHRA SPC Brintellix; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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