Switching From Zoloft To Brintellix

Updated

Today my doc told me to reduce my Zoloft from 100 MG to 50 MG for the next 6 days. On the 7th day I will begin 10 MG of Brintellix in the morning with breakfast. If I experience any sleepiness I should start taking it in the evening.
My follow up visit is scheduled for June 29.
I have tried many amtidepressants over the years with minimal to moderate success. I hope this is magic bullet.

40 Replies (2 Pages)

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1

don't do it! i have been on ssri meds for over 20 yrs. dr started me on trintellix 3 wks ago. have not been out of the house since then due to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and more. Now trying to wean off of it but dr and pharmacist are not sure how to proceed with this. i am also imsulin dependent diabetic andy sugars are erratic. terrifying drug at least for me.

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2

Day 6. I have completely stopped the zoloft and took my first dose of brintellix. The doc said take it with breakfast and I did, 10 mg. No side effects or anything to report today. Wish me luck.

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3

@Waitingforparadise,

Glad to hear that you didn't experience any side effects! That's almost like dodging a bullet when it comes to any medication nowadays. Do you happen to have any updates on how things are going since you last posted? I haven't heard anything bad about Brintellix personally, but Judi's case (in post #1) goes to show that everyone does tend to react differently to these types of meds... so it really just comes down to trial and error and determining if the potential risk factors are worth it or not. Good luck to you on your path. I hope all is going according to plan!?

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4

After 3 weeks on Brintellix, I had to stop it. All I wanted to do was sleep. There were a few days that I slept over 24 hours straight. On top of that, when I was awake, I didn't feel any better. I saw the doc yesterday and he switched me to Cymbalta 60 mg. I have taken it before and didn't feel as good as I thought I could but it's better than sleeping all the time.

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5

I am having the same issue. So much nausea I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks which I can't afford. I have no energy and feel depressed. Getting off this asap

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6

Thanks for the update Waitingforparadise. From your description I would also agree that the change to Cymbalta is worth not feeling tired all the time. Waking up with most of the day gone can get depressing after a while, as I've experienced as well at a time when I was lacking Vitamin D and other nutrients in my diet.

If anyone else is still having issues with excessive tiredness, maybe a quality multivitamin with iron can help add an extra boost of energy to your mind and body.

Best wishes to you all,
David

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7

Thanks David,
I have worked my way up to the maximum dosage prescribed by my doc (120 mg of Cymbalta) and I am feeling better. Not great but better. The doc commented during my last visit, going back on Abilify. The last time I took Cymbalta and Abilify, I started having jerky, muscle spasms. The doc says that they make a med that will help with this side effect. REALLY? How many drugs should I take to counteract the side effects? I think I will pass on the Abilify plus one.
Good luck and may God bless everyone out there who is suffering through the "trial and error" phase of treating depression.

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8

So how has your experience with brintellix . My doctor prescient same regiment fir me today. March 15, 2016. Meg

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9

Sorry for all the typos in my previous post. {edited for privacy}. Please feel free to write me back regarding your experience of switching from Zoloft 150 mg to Brintellix 10 mg. My Dr. just changed my Rx due to feeling Zoloft no longer (if ever) helped.

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10

I've been on brintellix (trintellix in canada) for just under a year now. It's been fantastic! Only side effects were some pretty dramatic nausea and very strange dreams, but I take it just before bed now and I don't even notice the nausea. Antacids also helped a lot with the nausea. The dreams are very strange, I almost never used to dream but it doesn't seem to effect the quality of my sleep much I still feel well rested. I never knew I could feel this normal, this consistently for this long.

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11

I have been on Brintellex for a month on 20 mg now. Have been literally tried on everything. Still on Wellbutrin XL 450mg and will keep with that as well. The Brintellex has worked miracles. My Mom says I am like my old self again. I feel good. No side effects.

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12

I have been weened off Topamax , Zoloft , and Wellabutio Ext release , dr put me on 5 mg Brintellix , I have been on it for 7 days now , and have felt very ill headache , lots of nausea , lots of anger , can't get a hold of Doctor , no money go to Emc room , I still take my sequel 100 mg at night , is it ok to just STOP THIS , until I can see my Doc in 4 days , need answer please !!!!!!

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13

Hi. I started 5mg brintellix yesterday, while weaning off 20mg paxil. This drug is supposed to work differently. Has anyone had success with it lifting depression and anxiety????

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14

DO NOT TAKE THIS ANTIDEPRESSANT AT ALL. IT MADE ME VERY SICK, VOMITING, HEADACHES, PHYSICALLY ILL. I TOOK IT FOR A WEEK. ASK FOR SOME OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANT. BAD DRUG!!!!

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15

I'm on 200 mg of Wellbutrin SR and 400 Mg Lamictal. This combo had pooped out on me. I have no sense of joy, am up and down and have apathy. Pdoc wants me to try brintellix. It's sitting here on my nightstand and I am very frightened after reading some of the posts on here. I've been waiting to try it on the weekend so I'll be starting Saturday. Price said I could take it with the Wellbutrin, even though there are issues with drug interaction. Our I hope this med will help me. I am super anxious in starting it though. Anyone else here on brintellix/Wellbutrin/Lamictal combo?

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16

How long did it take to feel positive effects of Brintellix?

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17

I have been on 10 mugs of brintellix after coming off vivrydd. Vivrydd just did not help. Brintellix is great. I don't have any side effects. My mood is great and hasn't been in along time. I have a stressful job and have no prob on this med.

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18

About 2 weeks for full effect. Been on it for about six months now

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19

This isnt appropriate in my eyes. Type out ur concern. Others have had good results too, what if your post keeps even one person from trying something that could change their lives?

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20

Or keeps one person from having devastating side effects! I seriously was afraid I was "on the way out". We all realize ANY drug can have all sorts of outcomes depending on the individual taking it.

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I just switched from cipralex 10mg to trintellix 10mg 5 days ago. I was always feeling tired with cipralex so wanted to try something else. So far Trintellix is working realy well. no side effects although I feel a bit of withdrawal from cipralex (I’ve weaned down from 20mg before so recognize the feeling). I’m trying this for the month and will decide from there is this is a better antidepressant for me. I’m pretty optimistic here at end of day 5. Good luck to all working on getting a better handle on depression, keep going forward, you’re not alone!

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39

Your doctor knows best. There have been studies that show how people best react when switching medications.

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38

its been couple years wondering if it helped u any?

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37

Re: Nicole (# 30) Expand Referenced Message

This sounds a lot like what I've been experiencing. I stopped 150 mg. of Zoloft (tapered over 5 days) and then started Trintellix. Exactly 3 weeks on Trintellix and I was very light headed and overall just not myself. I gave the Trintellix about 6 weeks and still didn't feel well so I tapered off. I was then put back on Zoloft (25 mg.). I'm currently on 50 mg. of Zoloft and still feel terrible. How long did it take you to recover? I'm concerned, as it's been 6 weeks since I started feeling bad and I continue to all day every day. :(

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36

I am now off Trintellix as they call it here. Not because it wasn't working or any side effects but because when I went to pick it up the pharmacy said "That will be $800 please." As it turns out, I had hit my coverage gap in Medicare and 3 months worth went back to normal pricing of $266 a month. For ME, and I realize EVERYONE'S chemical composition is different and they react differently to meds, but for me it was not a miracle drug. In fact I could tell no difference in it and the $4 formulary drugs at WalMart. Sometimes Big Pharma is not the answer.

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35

I'm on the same meds and prescriptions as you and I had terrible effects with the brintillix 5mg. I felt like I was more hostile, severe migraines and my allergies where really bad. I too am waiting to see the doctor and and just on 100mg. of seroquel at night to sleep and valium low doses for my anxiety. I really don't know what's left for me to try.
Hope you have more success than me.
Good luck Fayzah

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34

Wondering if trintellix is causing numbness in hands and feet. I have not had this problem with my diabetes before

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33

It's great to share experiences regarding antidepressants, but be cautious telling others not to take something. These meds work differently for EVERYONE. Just because one person didn't tolerate it, doesnt mean it won't change someone else's life for the better.

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32

Well, Day 1 of Brintellix and so far so good. Still have the shake shakes going on but they are manageable. Staying positive

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31

I've tried everything for many years. The worst for me was Effexor- I couldn't handle it. I know we are all different. I've been on Zoloft anywhere from 25 to 50 to 100 to 150. It did nothing. Every time I decrease, I get the "shake shakes" luckily not any brain zaps. The doctor lowered my dose to 25 mg Zoloft for 3 days before taking the Brintellix. Im praying it helps. I have no energy at all at am not motivated to do anything. Great life! No suicidal thoughts ever!

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