Brintellix (Trintellix) vs. Lexapro

• Are Brintellix (Trintellix) and Lexapro the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Brintellix (Trintellix)?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lexapro?
• What Is Brintellix (Trintellix)?
• What Is Lexapro?
• What Drugs Interact with Brintellix (Trintellix)?
• What Drugs Interact with Lexapro?
• How Should Brintellix (Trintellix) Be Taken?
• How Should Lexapro Be Taken?

Brintellix (vortioxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Lexapro is also used to treat anxiety in adults.

The brand name Brintellix was changed to Trintellix in June 2016 because of confusion with the name of an antiplatelet drug called Brilinta (ticagrelor).

Common side effects of Brintellix (Trintellix) include:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• vomiting,
• sexual dysfunction,
• dry mouth,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• abnormal dreams, and
• itching.

Common side effects of Lexapro include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• gas,
• heartburn,
• constipation,
• weight changes,
• dry mouth,
• yawning,
• ringing in the ears,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Brintellix (vortioxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Lexapro is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider. Lexapro is also used to treat:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Lexapro treatment.

Brintellix may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, buspirone, tramadol, tryptophan, bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine, rifampicin, carbamazepine, or phenytoin. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy with Brintellix.

Do not take Lexapro if you:

• are allergic to escitalopram oxalate or citalopram hydrobromide or any of the ingredients in Lexapro. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Lexapro.
• take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
• take the antipsychotic medicine pimozide (Orap®) because taking this drug with Lexapro can cause serious heart problems.

Do not take an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping Lexapro unless directed to do so by your physician.

Do not start Lexapro if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your physician.

People who take Lexapro close in time to an MAOI may have serious or even life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

• high fever
• uncontrolled muscle spasms
• stiff muscles
• rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure
• confusion
• loss of consciousness (pass out)

Before starting Lexapro, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Are taking certain drugs such as:
• Triptans used to treat migraine headache
• Medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including tricyclics, lithium, SSRIs, SNRIs, amphetamines, or antipsychotics
• Tramadol
• Over-the-counter supplements such as tryptophan or St. John's Wort

• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• have heart problems
• have or had seizures or convulsions
• have bipolar disorder or mania
• have low sodium levels in your blood
• have a history of a stroke
• have high blood pressure
• have or had bleeding problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known if Lexapro will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of treating depression during pregnancy are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Some Lexapro may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking Lexapro. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Lexapro and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.

Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you if it is safe to take Lexapro with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking Lexapro without talking to your healthcare provider first.

If you take Lexapro, you should not take any other medicines that contain escitalopram oxalate or citalopram hydrobromide including: Wellbutrin.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• triptans used to treat migraine headache
• medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, including tricyclics, lithium, buspirone, SSRIs, SNRIs or MAOIs
• tramadol and fentanyl
• amphetamines
• cimetidine
• the antibiotics ciprofloxacin, enoxacin
• medicine to treat irregular heart rate (like propafenone, flecainide, quinidine)
• theophylline
• the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin).
• over-the-counter supplements such as tryptophan or St. John's Wort
• thioridazine (Mellaril). Mellaril together with Lexapro can cause serious heart rhythm problems or sudden death.

Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Do not take Lexapro with any other medicine that contain duloxetine.

The recommended starting dose of Brintellix is 10 mg taken orally once daily.

Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of Lexapro until it is the right dose for you.

Lexapro may be taken with or without food.

If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Lexapro at the same time.

If you take too much Lexapro, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.

Take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

• Take Wellbutrin at the same time each day.
• Take your doses of Wellbutrin at least 6 hours apart.
• You may take Wellbutrin with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, do not take an extra tablet to make up for the dose you forgot. Wait and take your next tablet at the regular time. This is very important. Too much Wellbutrin can increase your chance of having a seizure.
• If you take too much Wellbutrin, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
• Do not take any other medicines while using Wellbutrin unless your doctor has told you it is okay.
• It may take several weeks for you to feel that Wellbutrin is working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your doctor. Call your doctor if you do not feel Wellbutrin is working for you.
• Do not change your dose or stop taking Wellbutrin without talking with your doctor first.