Mechanism of Action (MOA) | TRINTELLIX (vortioxetine)
For U.S. Healthcare Professionals

View Coverage

TRINTELLIX® (vortioxetine) is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Patient portrayal. 
Individual results may vary.

MOA

The story of TRINTELLIX

The first and only compound with this combination of pharmacologic activity:

Mechanism of action1

The mechanism of the antidepressant effect of TRINTELLIX is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). It also has several other activities including 5-HT3 receptor antagonism and 5-HT1A receptor agonism. The contribution of these activities to the antidepressant effect of TRINTELLIX has not been established.

Pharmacodynamics1

TRINTELLIX strongly inhibits SERT and has strong affinities for 5 other serotonin receptors.* The clinical relevance of these activities is unknown.

TRINTELLIX (vortioxetine) Mechanism of Action (MOA)

*TRINTELLIX binds with high affinity to the human serotonin transporter (Ki=1.6 nM), but not to the norepinephrine (Ki=113 nM) or dopamine (Ki>1000 nM) transporters.1 TRINTELLIX potently and selectively inhibits reuptake of serotonin (IC50=5.4 nM). TRINTELLIX binds to 5-HT3 (Ki=3.7 nM), 5-HT1A (Ki=15 nM), 5-HT7 (Ki=19 nM), 5-HT1D (Ki=54 nM), and 5-HT1B (Ki=33 nM) receptors, and is a 5-HT3, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, 5-HT1B receptor partial agonist, and 5-HT1A receptor agonist.

Abbrevation: SERT, serotonin transporter.

What to explore next?

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS & BEHAVIORS

  • Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies.
  • Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
  • TRINTELLIX is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity to vortioxetine or any component of the TRINTELLIX formulation. Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria have been reported in patients treated with TRINTELLIX.
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with TRINTELLIX or within 21 days of stopping treatment with TRINTELLIX, due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. Do not use TRINTELLIX within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders.
  • Linezolid and Methylene Blue: Do not start TRINTELLIX in a patient being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, due to an increased risk of serotonin syndrome.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults: Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy, and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing TRINTELLIX, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressants, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients ages 24 and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients.
  • Serotonin Syndrome: The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with serotonergic antidepressants, including TRINTELLIX, when used alone but more often when used concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids [e.g., fentanyl and tramadol], lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's Wort), and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue). Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Monitor patients for emergence of serotonin syndrome. If concomitant use of serotonergic antidepressants, including TRINTELLIX, is clinically warranted, make patients aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. If symptoms occur, immediately discontinue TRINTELLIX and any concomitant serotonergic agents, and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment.
  • Increased Risk of Bleeding: The use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake inhibition, including TRINTELLIX, may increase the risk of bleeding events. Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, and other anticoagulants may add to this risk. Inform patients about the increased risk of bleeding when TRINTELLIX is coadministered with NSAIDs, aspirin, or other drugs that affect coagulation or bleeding.
  • Activation of Mania/Hypomania: In patients with bipolar disorder, treating a depressive episode with TRINTELLIX or another antidepressant may precipitate a mixed/manic episode. Prior to initiating treatment with TRINTELLIX, screen patients for any personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.
  • Discontinuation Syndrome: Adverse reactions have been reported upon abrupt discontinuation of treatment with TRINTELLIX at doses of 15 mg/day and 20 mg/day. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible.
  • Angle-Closure Glaucoma: The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs, including TRINTELLIX, may trigger an angle-closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy.
  • Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia has occurred as a result of treatment with serotonergic drugs, including TRINTELLIX, and in many cases appears to be the result of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Elderly patients and patients taking diuretics or who are otherwise volume-depleted can be at greater risk. Symptoms of hyponatremia include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness, which can lead to falls. More severe and/or acute cases have included hallucination, syncope, seizure, coma, respiratory arrest, and death. Discontinue TRINTELLIX in patients with symptomatic hyponatremia and institute appropriate medical intervention.
  • Sexual Dysfunction: Use of serotonergic antidepressants, including TRINTELLIX, may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction. In male patients, serotonergic antidepressant use may result in ejaculatory delay or failure, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction. In female patients, use may result in decreased libido and delayed or absent orgasm.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most commonly observed adverse reactions for TRINTELLIX in 6- to 8-week placebo-controlled studies (incidence ≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were: nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Concomitant administration of TRINTELLIX and strong CYP2D6 inhibitors or strong CYP inducers may require a dose adjustment of TRINTELLIX.

PREGNANCY

Exposure to serotonergic antidepressants, including TRINTELLIX, in late pregnancy may increase the risk for neonatal complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding, and/or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Monitor neonates who were exposed to TRINTELLIX in the third trimester for PPHN and drug discontinuation syndrome.

INDICATION

TRINTELLIX is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Please click for Full Prescribing Information.

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at 

  1. Trintellix (vortioxetine) prescribing information. Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
  2. Alvarez E, Perez V, Dragheim M, Loft H, Artigas F. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, active reference study of LuAA21004 in patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2012;15(5):589-600.
  3. Henigsberg N, Mahableshwarkar AR, Jacobsen P, Chen Y, Thase ME. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week trial of the efficacy and tolerability of multiple doses of Lu AA21004 in adults with Major Depressive Disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2012;73(7):953-959.
  4. Boulenger J-P, Loft H, Olsen CK. Efficacy and safety of vortioxetine (Lu AA21004), 15 and 20 mg/day: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, duloxetine-referenced study in the acute treatment of adult patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(3):138-149.
  5. Mahableshwarkar AR, Jacobsen P, Chen Y, Serenko M, Trivedi MH. A randomized, double-blind, duloxetine-referenced study comparing efficacy and tolerability of 2 fixed doses of vortioxetine in the acute treatment of adults with MDD. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2015;232(12):2061-2070.
  6. Jacobsen P, Mahableshwarkar AR, Serenko M, Chan S, Trivedi MH. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of vortioxetine 10 mg and 20 mg in adults with Major Depressive Disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2015;76(5):575-582.
  7. Katona C, Hansen T, Olsen CK. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, duloxetine-referenced, fixed-dose study comparing the efficacy and safety of Lu AA21004 in elderly patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012;27(4):215-223.
  8. McIntyre RS, Lophaven S, Olsen CK. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of vortioxetine on cognitive function in depressed adults. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014;17(10):1557-1567.
  9. Mahableshwarkar AR, Zajecka J, Jacobson W, Chen Y, Keefe RSE. A randomized, placebo-controlled, active-reference, double-blind, flexible-dose study of the efficacy of vortioxetine on cognitive function in Major Depressive Disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2015;40(8):2025-2037.
  10. Data on file. Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
  11. Data on file. Lundbeck.
  12. Boulenger J-P, Loft H, Florea I. A randomized clinical study of Lu AA21004 in the prevention of relapse in patients with Major Depressive Disorder. J Psychopharmacol. 2012;26(11):1408-1416.
  13. Jacobsen PL, Mahableshwarkar AR, Chen Y, Chrones L, Clayton AH. Effect of vortioxetine vs. escitalopram on sexual functioning in adults with well-treated Major Depressive Disorder experiencing SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2015;12(10):2036-2048.
  14. Kambeitz JP, Howes OD. The serotonin transporter in depression: Meta-analysis of in vivo and post mortem findings and implications for understanding and treating depression. J Affect Disord. 2015;186:358-366.
  15. American Psychiatric Association. Depressive disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th edition (DSM-5®). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013:155-188.
  16. ICD-10-CM Tabular list of diseases and injuries. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Published 2022. https://www.cms.gov/files/zip/2022-code-tables-tabular-and-index-updated-02012022.zip. Accessed August 19, 2022.

Back to top

TRINTELLIX is a trademark of H. Lundbeck A/S registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and used under license by Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. TAKEDA and the TAKEDA logo are registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

©2023 Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. All rights reserved. 1-877-TAKEDA-7 (1-877-825-3327).

This site is intended for use by U.S. healthcare professionals only.

US-VOR-0930v1.0 03/23