A 30-tablet regimen of the drug went for $290 late last year. Compare that with equivalent dosages of the many off-patent alternatives on the market: a generic version of Prozac sold by Vensun Pharmaceuticals has a $3 price tag, and a generic version of Zoloft sold by Northstar Rx goes for $5. (Those numbers, compiled by the research firm Truven Health Analytics, refer to the price that a manufacturer listed for a drug when it was sold to a wholesaler.)
Like all antidepressants on the market, Brintellix initially won FDA clearance on the back of studies that focused on mood-related symptoms. But Takeda and Lundbeck also ran two trials looking specifically at cognitive symptoms in patients who took the drug compared to those who took a placebo.
Unlike many other antidepressants, which just block the reuptake of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, Brintellix can modulate the proteins that seratonin switches on, a mode of action which has downstream effects on other neurochemical systems. And compared to other antidepressants, Brintellix has more consistently spurred neuronal connections in brain cells when tested in a laboratory setting.
Gary Girton, who suffered from severe depression for most of his life, found relief for years by working in his studio as a mosaic artist. Yet, as the cognitive symptoms of his depression intensified in the last year and a half of his life, it became harder for him to do what he loved.
Pharmacoeconomic Review Report: Vortioxetine Hydrobromide (Trintellix): (Lundbeck Canada Inc.): Indication: The treatment of major depressive disorder in adults [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2020 Apr.
The comparators in Table 4 have been deemed appropriate by clinical experts. Comparators may be recommended (appropriate) practice versus actual practice. Comparators are not restricted to drugs but may be devices or procedures. Costs are manufacturer list prices, unless otherwise specified. Existing product listing agreements are not reflected in the table and as such may not represent the actual costs to public drug plans.
Compare Brintellix (vortioxetine) prices available at Canadian and international online pharmacies with local U.S. pharmacy coupon prices. The lowest price on PharmacyChecker.com for Brintellix (vortioxetine) 10 mg is $2.34 per tablet for 84 tablets at PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacies.
U.S. government officials have stated that individuals who order non-controlled prescription drugs from Canada or other foreign sources (up to a three-month supply) for their own use are not being pursued or prosecuted - although it is technically not legal for individuals to import most prescription drugs. The U.S FDA regulates the safety and efficacy of medications sold in U.S. pharmacies. Medications dispensed from outside the U.S. are regulated for safety and efficacy by pharmaceutical/pharmacy regulatory authorities in other countries. Read how regulations may differ by country.
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The Tier 1 icon means that an online pharmacy accredited by PharmacyChecker only fills prescription orders through their own pharmacy or dispensing pharmacy partners in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the U.S. Such countries are known to have equally advanced pharmaceutical and pharmacy regulatory systems. Please note that all PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacies (tier 1 and non-tier 1) meet the same high standards as identified in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program.
For more about Tier 1 international pharmacies click here.
The icon means that this online pharmacy accredited by PharmacyChecker fills prescription orders through either their own pharmacy or dispensing pharmacy partners located in Australia, India, Mauritius, New Zealand, Turkey, the UK, or Canada. Please note that all PharmacyChecker-accredited online pharmacies (tier 1 and non-tier 1) meet the same high standards as identified in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program.
More than 16 million American adults have depression (major depressive disorder), and nearly 7 million adults have a generalized anxiety disorder. Recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, have been a source of anxiety for many people.
Trintellix (vortioxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are two prescription medications used for depression. Lexapro is also used for anxiety. Both medicines are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Trintellix and Lexapro are part of a group of medications called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve symptoms of depression. Although Trintellix and Lexapro are both SSRIs, they have some differences, which we will outline below.
Trintellix (vortioxetine) is an SSRI medication. It is available in brand name only, in tablet form. It can be used in adults only. It has not been studied in children. Trintellix was originally called Brintellix, but the name was changed to avoid confusion with an antiplatelet medicine called Brilinta.
Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI. Lexapro is available in both brand and generic form and as a tablet or oral solution. Lexapro is used in adults and adolescents 12 years and older for depression, or adults 18 years and older for anxiety.
A meta-analysis (an analysis of many studies) published in 2018 evaluated 21 antidepressants. Both Trintellix and Lexapro were found to be more effective than other antidepressants. They were both better tolerated than other antidepressants as well.
A study done by the manufacturer of Trintellix concluded that Trintellix and Lexapro are both effective antidepressants. The study also reported that Trintellix had a higher incidence of certain side effects, such as nausea and itching than Lexapro.
Your healthcare provider can determine the most effective drug for you, taking into consideration your medical conditions and history as well as any drugs you take that can interact with Trintellix or Lexapro.
Trintellix is covered by most insurance and Medicare Part D plans. However, it is best to check with your plan for specific coverage details. Trintellix is only available in brand name. It can cost more than $500 for #30, 20 mg tablets. You can use a free SingleCare coupon to reduce the price to approximately $350.
Lexapro is usually covered by insurance and Medicare Part D. The generic version usually has a lower copay. The brand-name product usually has a much higher copay or may not be covered at all. Generic Lexapro costs about $70 for #30, 10 mg generic tablets. A SingleCare card can lower the generic price to about $8.
The most common side effect of Trintellix is nausea, which is usually mild to moderate and lasts about two weeks. Other common adverse events include sexual side effects, nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, and dizziness.
MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) interact with Trintellix and Lexapro. Their use must be separated by 14-21 days, depending on the individual treatment plan. The combination of an MAOI with Trintellix or Lexapro may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening medical emergency due to serotonin buildup.
Other drugs that may interact with Trintellix or Lexapro include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, and anticoagulants (blood thinners), like warfarin. Avoid alcohol when taking Trintellix or Lexapro.
All SSRIs, including Trintellix and Lexapro, have a boxed warning of suicidality. Children, adolescents, and young adults (up to 24 years old) who take antidepressant drugs have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. All patients on antidepressant medications should be carefully monitored.
Trintellix or Lexapro should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit to the mother is greater than the risk to the baby. Stopping the medication may cause a relapse of depression or anxiety. Therefore, patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Your healthcare provider can weigh the risk versus benefits of using an SSRI during pregnancy. Neonates exposed to SSRIs in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding. If you are already on Trintellix or Lexapro and find out you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Trintellix and Lexapro are both in the SSRI category of prescription drugs. They are similar, but not exactly the same. They have some differences, as outlined above. Other SSRI drugs you may have heard of include Celexa (citalopram), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).
Your healthcare provider can determine which drug is better for you, taking your unique circumstances into account. For example, if price is a determining factor, generic Lexapro may be more affordable, and you will be more likely to adhere to the regimen. Or, if sexual side effects are a concern, you may do better with Trintellix, which may have less sexual adverse effects.
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