Vortioxetine for depression

About vortioxetine

Vortioxetine is prescribed for depression that has not been helped by treatment with other antidepressant medicines. Depression can develop for no apparent reason, or it can be triggered by a life event such as a relationship problem, bereavement, or an illness. Depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Altering the levels of the chemicals in the brain can help ease symptoms of depression.

Brain cells, called neurons, release a number of chemicals which go on to stimulate other neurons. This leads to electrical impulses which control the functions of the brain and body. Serotonin is one such important chemical in the brain. It is also called 5-HT. Once released, serotonin stimulates other neurons before being taken back up and recycled. Vortioxetine stops serotonin being taken back up by the neurons and so increases the amount of circulating serotonin available in your brain.

Vortioxetine also works in other ways. Serotonin stimulates neurons by attaching to small 'receptors' on the surface of the cells. There are different types of serotonin, or 5-HT, receptor, leading to the release of chemicals with different effects in the brain. Vortioxetine blocks some 5-HT receptors and stimulates others in order to re-balance the brain's chemistry and ease symptoms.

Before taking vortioxetine for depression

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking vortioxetine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Wenn Sie schwanger sind, ein Kind erwarten oder stillen.

• If you are under 18 or over 65 years of age.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Leber oder Ihrer Nieren haben.

• If you have epilepsy or have had a fit (seizure) in the past.

• Wenn Sie jemals an einer Blutungsstörung gelitten haben.

• If you have a condition which causes increased pressure in your eyes, such as glaucoma.

• If you have been told you have low levels of sodium in your blood.

• Wenn Sie jemals anormal hohe" Stimmungen hatten, die als Manie bezeichnet werden.

• Wenn Sie mit Elektrokonvulsionstherapie (EKT) behandelt werden.

• Wenn Sie schon einmal eine allergische Reaktion auf ein Arzneimittel hatten.

• wenn Sie innerhalb der letzten zwei Wochen ein Antidepressivum, einen so genannten Monoaminoxidase-Hemmer (MAOI), eingenommen haben.

• Wenn Sie andere Arzneimittel einnehmen. Dazu gehören alle Arzneimittel, die Sie einnehmen und die rezeptfrei erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Arzneimittel.

How to take vortioxetine tablets

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about vortioxetine and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take vortioxetine tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to - the directions will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you of what your doctor said. The usual starting dose is 10 mg taken once daily. Depending on how you respond to the medicine it may be increased to 20 mg or reduced to 5 mg once daily.

• You can generally take vortioxetine at a time to suit you, but try to take your dose at the same time of day, each day.

• You can take vortioxetine before or after food. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.

• Wenn Sie die Einnahme einer Dosis vergessen haben, nehmen Sie sie ein, sobald Sie sich daran erinnern. Wenn Sie sich erst am nächsten Tag daran erinnern, lassen Sie die vergessene Dosis aus. Nehmen Sie nicht zwei Dosen zusammen ein, um eine vergessene Dosis auszugleichen.

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• It is important to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress and adjust your dose if necessary.

• You may feel that vortioxetine is not working for you straightaway. It may take a week or two after starting this treatment before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit. Do not stop taking it after a week or two, feeling it is not helping.

• While you are taking vortioxetine you may have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. These thoughts may also be associated with your depression. It is very important that you tell your doctor about this if it happens.

• Do not stop taking vortioxetine unless your doctor tells you to do so. You should expect that a course of treatment will last for several months. This is normal and helps to prevent your symptoms from recurring. You should continue to take vortioxetine for at least six months after you feel well again.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you do not drink alcohol while you are on vortioxetine.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with vortioxetine. This is because several medicines which are available from general retail outlets can interfere with this treatment. In particular, do not take the herbal remedy St John's wort, and ask for advice before buying any anti-inflammatory painkillers.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking vortioxetine for depression.

Can vortioxetine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects, although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with vortioxetine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

In seltenen Fällen können Arzneimittel, die den Serotoninspiegel im Gehirn beeinflussen, dazu führen, dass dieser zu hoch ansteigt und Probleme verursacht. Das Risiko ist höher, wenn Sie mehr als ein Arzneimittel mit dieser Wirkung einnehmen. Suchen Sie einen Arzt auf, wenn bei Ihnen eine Kombination der folgenden Symptome auftritt:

• Steife Muskeln oder "ruckartige" Bewegungen.

• Ungewöhnlich schneller Herzschlag.

• High temperature (fever), feeling or being sick, diarrhoea.

• Sie fühlen sich im Delirium oder sehen Visionen (Halluzinationen).

Wenn Sie andere Symptome haben, von denen Sie glauben, dass sie auf dieses Arzneimittel zurückzuführen sind, sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Apotheker.

How to store vortioxetine tablets

• Bewahren Sie alle Arzneimittel außerhalb der Reichweite und Sichtweite von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, vor direkter Hitze und Licht schützen.
  

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