Developments in the field of pharmacology do not stop, and new drugs are constantly emerging. In the area of neurology, there are several alternatives on the market to help treat mental illness.

Brintellix, for example, is a drug belonging to the family of antidepressants . This drug has shown fairly good effectiveness in treating major depression.

In this article we will review the uses and effects of Brintellix, look at its contraindications and side effects, and talk about the indications for efficient consumption of this drug.

What is Brintellix?

This drug is responsible for inhibiting the absorption of serotonin into the body , which may translate into benefit for people affected by a depressive disorder.

As mentioned above, because of the potency of this drug, it is one of the most prescribed in cases of patients affected by major depression.

Serotonin, among other functions, is responsible for regulating the mood of people when the raphe nuclei, which are located in the brain stem, do not secrete enough of this neurotransmitter and the subject is immersed in a depressive state of organic origin.

What the Brintellix does is to increase the flow of available serotonin, and in this way it helps the patient to remain psychologically stable.

One of the advantages of this drug, in comparison with other alternatives that exist on the market, is its high degree of tolerability in the body, and in addition to being useful for stabilizing the person in terms of the psychic part as well works very well for treating the cognitive impairment characteristic of major depression .

Before this drug came on the market, the alternatives most commonly used by specialists to treat depression were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Inhibition methods are usually used when the depression is not so intense, but if the subject does not respond well to this treatment, Brintellix can be indicated as a fairly effective alternative .

Difference with inhibitor treatments

Basically what makes these drugs different is their degree of action. While inhibitors are limited to preventing certain cells in the brain from absorbing serotonin (SSRIs), so that it can be better used by the brain structures that need it to emotionally stabilize the subject, Brintellix has multiple functions.

Apart from its role as a selective serotonin inhibitor (SSRI), also functions as a regulator of serotonin-specific receptor activity .

Neuroscientists who are familiar with this drug say that this duality in the functioning of Brintellix is what makes it so effective for the specific treatment of major depressive disorder.

In summary, this drug fulfils the functions of an antidepressant and anxiolytic , as well as reducing the symptoms of cognitive impairment in major depression. But as with all medications, one must be responsible with its administration, to avoid some of the contraindications that could arise if it is misused.

Side effects

The side effects of this medicine vary in their degree of seriousness. It could happen that they only generate a temporary discomfort for the subject, as well as it could happen that he has to be hospitalized because of them.

Let’s look at some of these side effects by their degree of severity.

1. Mild side effects

These side effects do not generate a clinically meaningful alert for the patient.

  • Dry mouth .
  • Lack of sexual appetite.
  • Diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Gastrointestinal complaints .
  • Dizziness and nausea.
  • Nightmares.

2. Severe side effects

These side effects of Brintellix are serious. If any of these occur, you should see your doctor immediately

  • Dermatological alterations.
  • Swelling of the face, or specific areas of the face, including the tongue
  • Breathing difficulty .
  • Problems eating, due to a difficulty in swallowing.
  • Headaches.
  • Hallucinations and blackouts.
  • Fainting spells.

If signs other than these occur, but may be related to the length of time the drug has been used, you should also discontinue use and see a doctor immediately.

Efficient consumption

To avoid the above-mentioned side effects, you should openly discuss with your doctor and refer if you have any particular condition, such as allergies of any kind, or if you are taking any other drugs, regardless of whether they are prescribed or not. Especially if they are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs, as the effect on the body of taking the two drugs simultaneously would be harmful.

Regarding the pregnancy status , the effects of this drug are harmful to newborns, this drug should not be prescribed if there is a pregnancy involved or if the patient plans to be pregnant in the short term.

Bibliographic references:

  • Sanchez, C.; Asin, K.E.; Artigas, F. (2015). Vortioxetine, a Novel Antidepressant with Multimodal Activity: Review of Preclinical and Clinical Data. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 145: 43–57.
  • Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.