Brintellix severe sexual dysfunction

I took Paxil CR for about 5 years and then switched to regular one(1year). While I was on the CR version, I've only experienced delay in orgasm and maybe a slight reduction in libido. Not bad at all. Then when I switched to the regular one, I had some difficulty orgasming at >10 mg. I figured I can lower the dose if I wanted you know.

I saw in many forums people complain of their SSRI use and how it causes them low libido, genital anesthesia, etc.

I thought they were experiencing what I did which was Not bad. Now after taking Brintellix, I've realized what people meant and how severe of a problem it is.

Starting Brintellix (have been on it for a month and a half now) even at low doses as 5 or 10, the SD is very severe. I forgot something called porn, dating, etc. I forgot I have a clitoris. Doctor said Brintellix does not have any effect on libido. Not so for me. I'm extremely desperate. I long for the days pre med when my sex drive was GREAT.

Please help. I can't live my life like this. Sex is very important for me. Which med doesn't cause SD?
P.S pdoc refused prescribing Wellbutrin as it aggravates anxiety, irritability. He suggested taking Pristiq instead.

That sounds really, really awful.

I'd definitely push for Wellbutrin. It can cause anxiety or irritability initially, then diminish over time and really help. Why not try it? If it makes things worse after a few weeks, couldn't you simply stop? Wellbutrin is really the best known for helping with the sexual side effects of SSRIs.

Not that everyone reacts the same, but Effexor on top of an SSRI made my sexual symptoms 10 times worse. And Pristiq is almost just like Effexor...

I've only heard bad things about Brintellix, according to Drs. I've asked about it.

You could always try something other than Brintellix, like Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac, or Zoloft. Why did you quit Paxil?

Here's one resource to check: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...s/faq-20058104

I don't know. I take Effexor and it's pretty awful as it is.

Thank you very much, skies.
I quit taking Paxil as it has stopped working after 5 years. I'm not sure if I should give Brintellix some more time (I'm at week 7). I've read people's reviews and some resources including the one you've sent me, which claim that sexual side effects mightgo away or lessen in severity, typically after 8 weeks or so. I will wait and see. If they didn't, I will def push for WB.

Curious what other bad things you have heard about brintellix. I am on Trintellix which I think is the same thing. I'm not having SD but I think it's making me more depressed and hopeless? I can't tell. I'm on 7.5 mg about to go to 10mg.

maybe you can ask your doctor for something that will increase your sex drive?

Well my sample size was only 2 psychiatrists.

One said all her patients had severe gastro issues from it, and it never helped any of them with depression. Another said he never heard of anyone who ever benefited from it, yet all had side effects.

Oh, you're right-it is called Trintellix now. It doesn't have that novel of a mechanism, and considering it's new, it's hardly worth the risk to prescribe (doctors tried it due to free samples). The reason for that is because it hasn't been out long enough to be tried in a true clinical population. Since research trials are a sterile environment, the clinical experience will look different. And during the first few years is when adverse events and other things are discovered.

So considering that, it can be reasonable to stick with the antidepressants that are tried and true.

All I know is that it made me suicidal so I stopped it right away

Can I ask what dose you were on when having suicidal thoughts? (Sorry to hijack OP)

Hey I was on 20mg

Brintellix, now called Trintellix has many of the side effects of the SRIs
table 3: ASEX Incidence of Treatment Emergent Sexual Dysfunction*
View Enlarged Table
TRINTELLIX 5 mg/day
N=65:67† TRINTELLIX 10 mg/day
N=94:86† TRINTELLIX 15 mg/day
N=57:67† TRINTELLIX 20 mg/day
N=67:59† Placebo
N=135:162†
Females 22% 23% 33% 34% 20%
Males 16% 20% 19% 29% 14%
*Incidence based on number of subjects with sexual dysfunction during the study / number of subjects without sexual dysfunction at baseline. Sexual dysfunction was defined as a subject scoring any of the following on the ASEX scale at two consecutive visits during the study: 1) total score ≥ 19; 2) any single item ≥ 5; 3) three or more items each with a score ≥ 4
†Sample size for each dose group is the number of patients (females:males) without sexual dysfunction at baseline
Link:
Trintellix (Vortioxetine Tablets) Drug Information: Side Effects and Drug Interactions - Prescribing Information at RxList

Some other links about Trintellix::
Vortioxetine - Wikiwand

Just like all serotonergic drugs, it has the possibility of causing sexual side effects. Yes, some pdocs add wellbutrin - DA,/NE reuptake inhibitor, to help with the side effects. If used together Wellbutrin will increase the effects of Trintellix by up to two fold:
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-c...-18003,440-203

This is from a paper that goes into greater detail overall about vortioxetine
http://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu...idepressan.pdf.

If you want to read more in depth information. This paper goes in the chemical properties, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and studies.
Vortioxetine (Brintellix): A New Serotonergic Antidepressant

Talk to s/he about the interactions between the two. The amount of Pristiq and Trintellix used is important. Since they both work on 5-HT there is a chance of people getting serotonin syndrome but your pdoc should know this and adjust the doses accordingly. Drugs.com claims used concurrently as possible major risk but that is a very cautious overview. Ultimately it is your pdocs knowledge and yours also that is most important.

Hope this helps and of course talk to your health care providers and pdoc about your issues, concerns, and options, as it's all about your health and happiness.

Here are some anecdotal reports about the two used seperatley and in combination
https://treato.com/Pristiq,Trintellix+(Brintellix)/?a=s

Yup..that's exactly what I was thinking. I'm a male on Trintellix 15mg and I haven't had any sexual side effects, however that study using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale that @metamorphosis quotes shows higher incidence among female participants. So maybe that's what's going on for you.

If 5mg is still giving you trouble, probably best to switch. I've found Trintellix great for me, but as we know, everyone reacts differently to these chemicals.

Good luck!

I'm a sufferer of social anxiety not depression. For me less than 20mg did nothing. That said it has a very mild effect on anxiety.

I'm at 20mg now as less than that dose has no effect on SA whatsoever. For me, T hasn't caused any SEs except for non existent sex drive. Ughh you're so lucky. Yeah gonna switch to sth else.

Let us know how it goes. I'm still on Trintellix 15mg, but I'm thinking about upping it to 20mg... But as I'm also on Wellbutrin that has an interaction. However my PDoc doesn't seem to think that is a big deal...go figure

I've struggled with sexual dysfunction, ED and low testosterone since being on SSRI's. I found it really difficult to find the right Dr to treat and the right medication.
It seems all docs have differing opinions on treatment from "thats just one of the side effects; get used to it" to "here take every pill in the pharmacy". I've looked at sites like this one which (at least) give some good overview and ratings for each medication. Even then it's not perfect.
If anyone has any recommendation on the best treatment, or even where to read more about different treatment options, please let me know or PM me.
Thanks.

Hi, I have been on Luvox for 8 years due to Pure Obssesional OCD, mainly obssesions about sexual performance. It has worked well for me. My pshychiatrist has told of a new SSRI: Briltellix which he says has fewer sexual side effects than Luvox, I have taken it for 3 weeks, 10 mg per day, and it has helped with my obssesions, but it is making me anxious and I have not noticed yet a significant improvement in the sexual side effects. Honestly I used to feel more comfortable with Luvox, it causes me low libido issues but Briltellix does as well and Luvox used to keep me relaxed and felt much better.
I have let my doctor know all this and he insisted than I should keep on Brilntellix because it's a much better and newer medication than Luvox, whatever this means for my OCD.
What do you suggest me to do?

Thank you very much for your kind help.

I think that you should push for the med that felt the most comfortable for you!

Brintellix is only a better med for OCD if it is a better med for your OCD.
Sometimes, we have to make trade-offs; sometimes we do not have to make trade-offs. If Luvox works better for your OCD and allows you a sex life, it sounds like a helpful med.

WC

Hello Jerry777,

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