If you did not get the improvements you had hoped for by taking antidepressant medication, you are not alone. According to an Australian study, up to two-thirds of patients do not respond to the first antidepressant medication they were prescribed, but getting off antidepressants can introduce further barriers to wellness if not handled properly.1
Does Your Diagnosis
Require Vortioxetine?
Alternative to Meds has been an antidepressant tapering help authority for about 20 years now. We have published evidence regarding our success. In addition to being specialists in resolving these symptoms, many of us have also had to endure these symptoms ourselves which has enriched us in becoming the teachers, guides, and compassionate caregivers that we are.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
If vortioxetine was the first antidepressant that was chosen but did not work after a number of weeks, the prescribing doctor would likely suggest a vortioxetine tapering regimen, allowing for a “washout” period, and then start the patient on a different medication to see if the results were any better.1 Because instructions on how to get off vortioxetine can be rather vague, trying to quit vortioxetine is not necessarily as easy as expected. What can further complicate the process is that withdrawal symptoms can be tagged as “a relapse” and the patient may be caught up in unnecessary misdiagnosis while getting off vortioxetine, perhaps too quickly. All manner of complications can ensue.
There are other options. Some would prefer being guided along a much more detailed process for vortioxetine tapering followed by non-drug-based therapy to find the lasting relief they were looking for from depressive symptoms. The American Journal of Psychiatry published a 2010 study that determined that symptoms of depression are 4 times more likely to recur after a quick taper (1 to 7 days) than after a more gradual reduction (14 days or longer).2 The body, it seems, needs adequate time to adjust between these significant switches in treatments. The question that remains is how to get off vortioxetine safely? It is possible with adequate preparation, guidance, and compassionate care.
Alternative to meds Center offers our clients vortioxetine tapering in a gradual systematic way, with medical monitoring provided in our comfortable inpatient facility. Most of our clients are able to successfully complete a vortioxetine tapering program within about 2 months’ time. If a longer period is needed, a client can extend their stay as needed. Many therapeutic protocols are used throughout the program, as will be described in more detail below. There are numerous adjunctive therapies offered as part of the program, which may make the process of vortioxetine tapering significantly softer and easier to tolerate. These program components all work together to prevent an unwanted recurrence or rebound of symptoms while getting off vortioxetine.
FDA Label Info RE Getting Off Vortioxetine and Pregnancy
Vortioxetine is a relatively new SSRI antidepressant medication, approved for sale in 2013 after some half-dozen trials that lasted 6 to 8 weeks each, and for ethical reasons, pregnant women are excluded from such trials. However, a number of animal safety trials were done on animals such as rats and rabbits. These early animal trials showed increased pup mortality, decreased body weight at birth, and other harms. The FDA put no hard restrictions on prescribing vortioxetine for pregnant women or nursing mothers in particular.
However, the FDA label does include some warnings concerning pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking antidepressants.
Newborns exposed to SSRI or SSNI antidepressants developed complications that required respiratory support, tube feeding, and extended hospitalization.
FDA notes that these complications can present immediately after birth.
Other reported adverse effects included seizures, tremors, jitteriness, constant crying, and many others.3
Somewhat equivocal guidelines on withdrawal are found on the drug label. One part says that stopping vortioxetine abruptly is fine. But another statement lists adverse effects of abrupt withdrawal from vortioxetine. There is a suggestion that these withdrawals can be mitigated by a graduated approach to getting off vortioxetine, and beyond that, no specific instructions are given. The label also suggests that a woman who is considering becoming pregnant and who either is taking vortioxetine or is thinking of getting off vortioxetine should discuss her concerns with her prescribing physician to assist in making important decisions regarding both the mother’s health and that of the child. Physicians need to be able to rely on more than ambiguous label information to really be able to help in these matters, and there is a need for more training for prescribers to be able to offer sound advice.
General Information on Tapering from Vortioxetine
In 2019, the Lancet published the research of Horowitz et al, clarifying that very gradual tapering of SSRIs such as vortioxetine can mitigate withdrawals very effectively. This means reducing down to sub-therapeutic doses, with continuing gradual micro-cuts over an adequate time frame, much the same as benzo withdrawal is best approached.5
Vortioxetine has a long half-life of between 60 and 70 hours, or roughly, 3 days. The half-life is a reasonably accurate predictor of when withdrawals begin to emerge. After a dose reduction, a one-week (or longer) settling period before the next cut can help avoid a cascade of symptoms that may become difficult to manage.
For anyone who is or has been considering trying to quit vortioxetine, the above information may help clarify the somewhat ambiguous information on the drug label.3 The label only lists adverse effects related to abruptly stopping vortioxetine. Other research shows a more complete picture, including withdrawal symptoms that may occur that are not listed on the label. ( See list, below.) 4-6
For more detailed tapering guidelines for vortioxetine, please also see the Trintellix tapering page.
Adverse effects of vortioxetine cessation can include:
Muscle tension
Tremors, vertigo, balance issues
Brain zaps
Sudden outbursts of anger
Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Excessive sweating
Anxiety, agitation, nervousness
Sexual dysfunction
Aggression or impulsiveness
Undesirable Side Effects of Vortioxetine
Considerable attention is found in the labeling information3 concerning adverse effects that may lead to opting for vortioxetine cessation, such as these:
Serotonin syndrome (this subject is complex but merits careful study for anyone taking antidepressant medications)
Nausea
Bleeding
Suicidality and symptoms that may be precursors to suicidality such as akathisia, mania, hypomania, worsened depression, anxiety, agitation, and many others, especially if they present suddenly or intensely and, where such symptoms were not present before the administering of vortioxetine.3
The Alternative to Meds Program for Vortioxetine Tapering
Perhaps you or your loved one has begun wondering what might be the best available treatment for how to get off vortioxetine. Our program takes a wider approach than simply stopping vortioxetine or other medications safely. Of equal importance is ensuring that the symptoms that one was struggling with do not recur and that natural mental health protocols may be available to supplant the use of medications that can, at best, mask symptoms. And, the masking effect typically only lasts for a short time. In the long run, there is nothing curative about SSRI medications.
But there are drug-free treatments and testing that can help a person to benefit from a reduction or elimination of symptoms altogether. This is achieved by discovering root causes for symptoms and conditions. Once the source or sources of a problem have been determined, then the treatment of these can help provide authentic, sustainable relief.
For example, accumulations of toxins in the body may be present that can impair neurotransmitter production and function, disrupt digestion, and can negatively impact one’s microbiome and many other areas of the body. The most obvious solution would be to remove these, using gentle and non-invasive methods such as low-temperature sauna, nebulized glutathione treatments, bentonite clay packs, colonics, and many other therapeutic measures. Concurrent with these treatments, providing a clean and nutrient-rich diet, plus selected supplements as needed, free from pesticides, additives, or other chemicals; these can markedly boost and support the body’s own natural resurgence.
These treatments are administered throughout the process of gradually stopping vortioxetine. Our clients typically report sleeping more soundly, feeling more energetic and calm, enjoying a better appetite, a lift in general mood, and many other benefits from neurotoxin removal and the many other treatments. Clients can enjoy acupuncture, therapeutic massage, soothing mineral baths, foot baths, craniosacral massage, yoga, mild trainer-led exercise classes, and meditation. A fascinating and in-depth educational segment helps to understand CNS and brain function, nutrition, and other keynotes of health, but also how to sustain one’s health by applying these non-harmful tools for natural mental health. Counseling is also provided where desired, available in many genres that may also benefit a person who wants to engineer changes in lifestyle, unburden trauma, design a new future, and become more engaged with creating a healthy and harmonious life without prescription drugs.
How to Get Off Vortioxetine Comfortably
Please feel free to contact us at Alternative to Meds Center to find out more about our protocols and how we administer our programs. We have clients from all walks of life, and welcome adults of all ages to our nurturing, beautiful inpatient facility. We have been helping people with vortioxetine cessation and other treatments for a decade and a half. Our licensed physicians and caregivers are passionate about helping our clients to meet their natural mental health goals. We look forward to speaking to you further about our vortioxetine tapering programs and other benefits that are waiting for you at our center.
1. Keks N, Hope J, Keogh S. Switching and stopping antidepressants. Aust Prescr. 2016 Jun;39(3):76-83. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2016.039. Epub 2016 Jun 1. PMID: 27346915; PMCID: PMC4919171. [cited 2022 July 21]
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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If vortioxetine was the first antidepressant that was chosen but did not work after a number of weeks, the prescribing doctor would likely suggest a vortioxetine tapering regimen, allowing for a “washout” period, and then start the patient on a different medication to see if the results were any better.1 Because instructions on how to get off vortioxetine can be rather vague, trying to quit vortioxetine is not necessarily as easy as expected. What can further complicate the process is that withdrawal symptoms can be tagged as “a relapse” and the patient may be caught up in unnecessary misdiagnosis while getting off vortioxetine, perhaps too quickly. All manner of complications can ensue.
These treatments are administered throughout the process of gradually stopping vortioxetine. Our clients typically report sleeping more soundly, feeling more energetic and calm, enjoying a better appetite, a lift in general mood, and many other benefits from 
