Brintellix Side Effects Severe

DESPERATELY NEED HELP ABOUT BRINTELLIX!!! I have been on 5mg Brintellix for last 10 weeks. About 9 days About 9 days ago I started to feel like i was coming down with flu. week progressed and flu like symptoms got worse every day: flushing, feeling like i had high fever but without actual fever, agitation, muscle cramps, bad nausea, diahrrea all day long, fast heart beat, headache, etc. after several days of symptoms getting worse, on Sunday last I had the feeling i was going to DIE!!! worst flu like symptoms and severe anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. I skipped the sunday dose and then cut the monday dose down to 2.5mg. it is wednesday, and most of bad symptoms have gone to mild or moderate. Dr thinks i had case of serotonin syndrome n this med. But, no one can explain why side effects started at 9 weeks and not beginning!! Today was better side effect wise, still nausea, diahrrea (but not as bad), agitation, no appetite (cannot eat at all). Here is kicker: dr wants me to take 2.5mg every other day as wants to keep depression and anxiety symptoms down. I am praying to GOD this works! Anyone out there have a similar experience??? I really desperately need help on this !! Please let me know!

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Hello, Kds! How are you doing?

What other medications have you tried? What type of doctor are you seeing for this?

It really seems that this just isn't the right medication for you and you may need to try something else.

Have you consulted a psychiatrist?

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thank you so much for reply! i have been on effexor, paxil, lexapro, tofranil, remeron
in past and nothing but tofranil worked as well as this med in the beginning. about 9 weeks in, i had full blown serotonin syndrome on this med. also take trazodone but cutting that down. now down to 2.5 mg dose of this and some of physical symptoms are better but still feel terrible. i am at wits end. i dont know what to do. under care of psychiatrist and he wants me to stay at 2.5 to see if side effects ease and still get some of the depression and anxiety relief. but i am not seeing much of that as i am so terrified of the syndrome coming back. still have fast heartbeat and agitation in morning along with diahrrea and nausea. i am so so scared. i dont know what to do. scared to stop this med as anxiety and depression are horrible with terrible racing thoughts. have you or anyone you know ever had something like this?? please let me know. i am so terrified right now.

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Sounds like Serotonin Syndrome

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I used to be on Zoloft and Wellbutrin and they worked very well with virtually no side effects (maybe a little in the beginning but quickly went away). I was on that for years and was doing well but Zoloft has a sexual side effect that I was hoping to stop. My psychiatrist tried Lexapro (also WITH Welllbutrin) but this was no different. Then she tried Cymbalta but that had very little difference (I was taken off of Wellbutrin with that one). I also had crying bouts with Cymbalta. Finally, she tried Brintellix and when she switched me from 5mg (with 30 mg of Cymbalta which was ok) to just 10 mg of Brintellix, I got terrible side effects (dizziness, nausea, headaches, my irritable bowel acted up terribly, loss of taste, etc). I was terrified as you were. Even after she switched me to 5 mgs and then taken off the Brintellix altogether the symptoms remained. That was 2 weeks later. I went to my family Dr and he told me my symptoms revealed that the drug was still in my system and told me to drink LOTS of fluids to flush it out. I have just started that process. I FEEL your anxieity and fear. I told my psychiatrist, that I want to go back on the Zoloft and Wellbutrin (I'm afraid to try anything new after this). I'll learn to live with the sexual side effect.

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My dr prescribed Brintellix after Lexapro seemed to stop working. I feel like Brintellix is so hard on the stomach. Im not an alcoholic by any means but I do like to socially drink with my girlfriends but Im scared to death to drink on this medication because of the way it messes with your stomach. Anyone else drank with the drug?

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Hi. I have been on Brintellex 5mg for 9 weeks. I imbibe daily with one glass of wine or whisky. I have noticed my heart rate increasing temporarily after the drink, but it passes quite quickly and don't have any other symptoms post the drink. Hope this helps?

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As far as i know Trazodone can not be taken with brintellix according to their website. Its pretty sad some docs don't explain interactions, mostly because they don't know or haven't taken the time to look.I always try my best to look up interactions before starting any new meds.I recently was put on Luvox.Pdoc went over some sides and that is it.When i got home and did research I found i can't have caffeine as it multiples the effect greatly to the point you can od on caffeine. Secondly couldn't take klonapin as it can do the same.Something to do with how to liver breaks it down.So had to switch to Ativan because its processed different.Ive been on a ton of ssri's and so far they all seem to make me worse or i should say the sides are worse than the mild depression and anxiety i have.Will be starting Britellex tomorrow,hopefully better results.

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I have been taking Brintellix for 2weeks I have been taking the five milligram dosage and have nausea vomiting dirrehea and never have any energy and loss of appetite and insomnia and aniexty I have sleep medicine(trazadone) that I take along with this also and it doesn't help either.

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Ssris are a hit and miss. You're truly fortunate if you have a good result. I pray that if you have to take ssris you have a good and fast result. I have been on more ssris than I can count and still suffering from severe anxiety and depression. Psychiatrists can not tell you exactly what the medicine is doing to your brain. I wished they were more knowledgeable about how and what the medicine were doing. I also would like to see more positive post about the use of ssris. I hope all on this forum gets better soon #
s

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I had to go off this med. Had all the same side effects, so severe i did not get out of bed for a week except to vomit or deal with diarrhea. I too was terrified, my dr was away so i called the drug company thT
akes this drug. They were no help. My pharmacist helped me wean off it but i still felt poorly for about 10 days. I have been on ssri meds for over 20 yrs but this experience scared me so much that i am not taking anything for the last 8 months. I would rather suffer from depression and anxiety than go through anything like that again o

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I was on Brintellix, 10mg for nearly 6 months. I think it was the worst 6 months of my life, I felt nausea everyday, had diarrhea most everyday. Paranoia like I've never experienced before, I considered suicude too many times to list. I experienced chest pain and about a month before stopping, muscle twitching started, mostly in my legs. I've been on many medications and never had a worse experience than Brintellix. Headaches often, I honestly felt unwell the entire 6 months, I did not want to leave the house. I also gained several pounds even though felt sick daily, I felt very swollen. I've been off of it nearly two weeks, did not taper, my dr put me back on Wellbutrin, which is what I had been on before. I'm starting to feel better, muscle twitching in my legs is still there. I'm hoping that goes away. If you have good luck with this med, I am happy for you but for me and dealing with different meds for 15 years now, this was by far my worst experience. My dr made out like I was her only patient that didn't like this drug but I thought whatever. Best of luck to all!!

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Totally agree, worst experience ever for me. I hope you are feeling better

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Has anyone experienced severe itching while taking Brintellix? I am beside myself with severe itching. I'm planning to discontinue as I can't stand this side effect. Just wondering if anyone else experienced that.

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I have had itching and a slight rash on my wrists and a few fingers. I used a cortizone cream and that really helps with the itching. I have been on 20 mg for 8 weeks.

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Don't take the Brintellix! It is a living nightmare! You will get sick and think you have the flu! Thought I was going crazy, nausea, diarreah, light headedness, body aches and pains, insomnia, anziety, nightmares, mental instability. I only took it for 3 weeks. That was enough! It took 4 months after discontinuance for all of what I just described to go away! Not even worth trying! Spare yourself.

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Brintellix has been wonderful for me. I take it at night. Meds that bother your stomach seem to fair better in the evening. And yes I drink with it quite frequently and it doesn't bother me. Maybe you're still in the adjustment phase. Maybe try eating something on it so your stomach isn't empty. I have gotten very sleepy on it though. Good luck JB

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Yes, I have been taking Brintellix 10 mg for six weeks, and have had severe itching, headache almost constantly, bloating weight gain and no energy. I was in hopes that it would be the cure, but am very disappointed. It works great for my sister, though. Everyone is different, and will experience varied side effects.

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I've been on brintellex for about a month. Light nausea in the beginning. I'm up to 20mg now. I tried taking 10 an 10 today with good results. I have been having horrible nausea and vomiting the last week but today I'm doing good! I guess it's hit or miss with this drug. I also take latuda, remeron for sleep with
Ambien, adderall, and Xanax. I'm hoping that the nausea and vomiting has gone away but I cannot take it on an empty stomach. Seems like 3 pm is a good time. I'm not full from lunch but still have some food in my stomach. I have also had a horrible cold with lots of sinus drainage which could be related to the nausea. Overall, I feel better. I haven't felt this happy and like I have things together in a long time. I was on lexapro for almost 10 years and didn't think it was working anymore. Good luck to everyone and hang in there!

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I have been on Brintellix since May of 2015. In August started having very itchy dermatitis on my hands (palms) and then on the soles of my feet. These symptoms have grown tremendously to the point that a dermatologist is treating me for psoriasis. Hands and feet are awful. Really thinking this is a drug reaction.

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You drink a glass of wiskee a day?? Or wine with your meds? Think that would make u sick and want to puke.

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On Brintillix 10mg for 4 days now and my head wants to burst! Blood pressure spikes, cant eat cant sleep. Stopped today. Cannot do this....... dont know what to expect.... I also have to take 30mg cymgen at night. I am like a zombie!

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Re: LKC (# 13)

I went from Cymbalta which did nothing to 10 mg of Trintellix 2x a day. I had an immediate lifting of my depression. About a week later I had itching that was driving me crazy, followed by a rash - individual pimple like bumps on chest and back. These turned into hives and crusty like scabs. I went to Urgent Care on the weekend. Doctor told me to go back to Cymbalta. He gave me a prescription for Hydroxyzine Pamoate 25 mg 4x day. The itching was gone after a couple of days. Hives lasted a few more days. The itching and hives were so bad that it seemed to be an by allergic reaction rather than just a side effect. I have had allergic reactions to two other drugs. I now think I should have tried 5 mg of Trintellix and given it more time. I also had a headache and threw up multiple times each day, i have hardly ever thrown up before in my life. Dr. wants me to try Lexapro. Will try it, but hoping that I can try Trintellix with something for nausea and itching since my depression was so much better.

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Forgot to mention l will be speaking to a phychitrist by phone which l had my family doctor arrange for me. Because of the covid he's just doing his first appointment by phone. I really hope he has something to offer me because l do need to talk to him badly.And he specialize in metal health. Take care. Joni

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Great to hear some one out there is taking Trintillex and your taking it every second day. Iam very sensitive to antidepressants so l have to keep to a low dose. As onTrintillex for 7and half weeks couldn't sleep only got 2 to 4 hours sleep. Went off it stopped taking the Trintillex to fast the withdrawal lasted 3 weeks. Was really bad pain every place. Switching to Zoloft or Escitalipram one or the other. Iam going to take the lower dosage try it every second day.and hopefully this will help me. Let me know how your doing on 2.5 mg every second day. Much appreciation and I'll say good good luck to the both of us. Joni

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Hi! I've been on Trintillex for 7 weeks my intercisial cystitis started to flare up after 2 years is this a coincidence. I am also taking have of a 5 mg. Experimenting myself. I feel agitated today,annoyedas well. Took 5 mg couldn't sleep all night. So lam trying every second day. Unless my IC doesn't go away then lam stopping Trintillex that's it. Hope this helps. Jl

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Re: luna (# 62)

To me that sounds like it could be a manic or hypomanic episode and I would share that info with my Dr asap

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Re: Line69 (# 64)

Hi! I saw your post. Wanted to share the story following the euphoria-like state i was in. So by november i had taken Brintellix for about 3-5 months. I felt really out of control, I started to think maybe i am bipolar or the medication has triggered bipolar disorder in me. There is research that indicates to that possibility as well. So in the beginning of december 2017 i ran out of my prescription and i had problems getting it so there was a 5 day span where i didn't get to take brintellix. The withdrawal was so severe and one night i drank to calm my anxiety. I did not drink much but it was enough for my brain to totally crash. Basically i had a pshycotic break, I cut my wrists and was taken to the hospital. After that I was out for about 2 weeks on some pshycotics and during that time i decided I will never take any sort of medication ever again. I quit my job, became very isolated, stopped partying and went on a holiday under palm trees, with the last savings I had. I highly recommend going on a vacation for a month, somewhere warm and nice, totally different nature and environment that you live in. It really helped me to be honest, to be in a different environment, getting sun, swimming, etc because where i live, 9 months out of 12 it is cold and dark. Travelling with a friend or even on your own should be the first thing on the list for beating depression. I feel like I am becoming more attached to myself again, I am not interested in things i liked before, but i like new things now, spiritual and educational, etc kind of things. Oh, and also I quit facebook, instagram, news. I try to consume those things as little as possible because I realise i need to live my life, not follow others all the time and compare my life with them. It is something we unconciously all do on a daily basis and it makes us depressed even more. So for me, I quit everything i had been doing and went on a vacation, it really opened me up spiritually and i somehow started to heal. The feeling of not giving a s*** about what others think and quitting my job and other things/people in my life was scary but liberating at the same time. So i encourage anyone battling depression, before you take medication, take a break. Get the money and if you dont have it, take a loan from a friend, etc and go travel.

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Re: luna (# 62)

Hi. I am a Danish woman. I have stopped Brintellix 3 days ago, also because of side effects. I am going trough exactly the same symptoms like you. I can see it’s only 8 days since you posted this. Are you feeling better? It’s the 4th time I try Brintellix. Tried it before with other medications. But now I will NEVER take it again. It doesn’t help my depression. Feel worse than ever! Hope you’re feeling better. Best wishes??

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Re: Lynn (# 11)

I was on 5 mg. of Trintellix for only a month, I had severe side effects so went off cold turkey. It's been two weeks now and I have been and STILL AM suffering immensely. I have so much swelling that I am having to wear my husband's clothing. Anxiety level is terrible and the insomnia, sweats, confusion, brain zaps, extreme muscle tension and stiffness, crying outbursts, and generally just feeling like I'm in my own body is driving me crazy.

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I've been on 10mg of Brintellix for about 3 months and I am experiencing a euphoria-like feeling. Now, it should be a positive thing but this euphoria leads me to want to drink alcohol and when I start to drink I usually end up being so drunk so quickly that I can not remember half of the things I say or do. This sort of behavior has lead me to having unprotected intercourse with two different people. I wouldn't be with either of them if I could stay sober but this euphoric feeling makes me act very impulsively. I feel like an ***** for doing those things and not thinking clearly. Anyways, does anyone also have cravings for alcohol while taking this medicine?

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