Is It Safe To Switch From Wellbutrin To Trintellix?

Posted on Thu, 1 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Sep 2016 Answered on

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Just got a prescription for trintellix. I'm currently on Wellbutrin and was wondering how to safely switch from one to the other

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's safe no need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Trintellix is Vortioxetine and is different from Wellbutrin. Both drugs help to improve serotonergic neurotransmission but by different mechanism of actions. Withdrawal of Wellbutrin usually occurs as mild flu like symptoms which can be tolerated easily. So switching from Wellbutrin to Trintellix will not be a big problem. You can safely switch as per your prescribed doses.

To prevent even mild symptoms cross tapering of drugs is other option. Reduce the dose of Wellbutrin over two weeks and gradually increase the dose of Trintellix in same period. This will reduce any chances of even milder symptoms.

Thanks. Hope this helps you please don't hesitate to ask again for more information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

How should I switch? Should I gradually reduce wellbutrin and should I take both as I do that? Can u provide me a detailed way of how to start trintellix and stop the wellbutrin ?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell me the doses of the drugs

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

Yes sure, but please tell me the dose of Wellbutrin you are taking and prescribed dose of Trintellix to you. Please provide the detail in follow up.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 minutes later)

300 of wellbutrin
10MG of trintellix

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Start with 5 mg Trintellix

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for providing details

Its better to start with 5 mg Trintellix for 2 weeks and 150 XR Wellbutrin for next two weeks. Stop Wellbutrin after two weeks and increase Trintellix to 10 mg (as prescribed). This cross tapering will not cause any significant withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks, Take care

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj