Trintellix and xanax: Is there any interaction?

By OptimistMinds
Page last updated: 07/12/2023 | Next review date: 07/12/2025

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.


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In this blog post, we are going to talk about the possible interactions between Trintellix and Xanax. We will also talk about the safety and efficacy of the concomitant use of these two prescription medications. 

This blog will also help you understand how to use Trintellix and Xanax properly and what are the possible dangers associated with the combination therapy. 

Is there any interaction between Trintellix and Xanax? 

There is no known interaction between Trintellix and Xanax, but it does not mean that an interaction can not occur. Every single medication reacts with your body as well and if your physiological composition responds negatively to the combination of Trintellix and Xanax then you may suffer from some side effects. 

However, it is impossible to predict any interaction. The only way to find out which combination works best for you is to try them out. If you feel any unusual side effects after taking these two meds together, make sure you immediately report to your healthcare provider. 

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can react inevitably in some people or some underlying health conditions. A possible drug interaction should not be an only concern. Meds can interact with diseases as well. 

This is exactly why such warnings are mentioned on the leaflets of every single medication to help prevent drug-disease interactions as much as possible. It is also extremely important to stick to your doctor recommended dose. 

Both Trintellix and Xanax affect your brain and it is extremely important to make sure you’re taking them right. When anti-anxiety and antidepressants are combined together, the dose is usually adjusted. 

Can Trintellix and Xanax make a good combination? 

Trintellix and Xanax can make a good combination and it may help with some of the following conditions:

It may help control your anxiety 

The combination of Trintellix and Xanax can be a good one to control anxiety or panic attacks. It is a well known fact that antidepressants do not work overnight. 

You have to give these meds at least 3 to 4 weeks to kick in and start managing your depression or any other mental health condition for which you’re taking them. However, antidepressants can start causing side effects way earlier. 

One of the most common early side effects of antidepressants is anxiety. That’s where Xanax comes into the picture. Xanax can help control the early anxiety caused by Trintellix. 

However, it is not suitable to continue using Xanax for a long time as it is a short acting benzodiazepine and can cause addiction in people who tend to misuse medications. Usually Xanax should be used as long as your antidepressant kicks in. 

It may help manage your Insomnia 

The combination therapy with Trintellix and Xanax can help manage insomnia. Some antidepressants also cause sleep disturbances in the early course of the treatment. The funny thing is it may not cause insomnia in everyone. 

Some people respond so well to antidepressants that these meds become life-saviours for them. However, some people get scarred for life. 

This is exactly why I can’t tell you if this combination would work at all for you, but I can tell you for sure that this is something you should never do with proper diagnosis and your doctor’s recommendation. 

It may be a good treatment option for major depressive disorder (MDD) 

The combination of antidepressants and benzodiazepines are well known for their beneficial effects in the treatment and management of major depressive disorder (MDD) or treat-resistant depression. 

Some studies indicate that Xanax itself can control depression. A 1988 study monitored the antidepressive effects of xanax (alprazolam) and observed six case studies, four of which showed great outcomes, similar to those of Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), but with less side effects. 

This indicates that xanax itself possesses antidepressant properties but the mechanism through which it works to counteract the symptoms of depression is still unknown. It is also not suitable to use this med for a long time. However, a few weeks of combination therapy of Trintellix and Xanax can deliver fruitful results. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of Trintellix and Xanax? 

Both Trintellix and Xanax are associated with some side effects, because meds without possible side effects? Not possible. It may not cause any side effects in you or me, but it can severely affect someone else. 

Side effects of Trintellix 

Trintellix is associated with a number of side effects. These include:

  • Headache 
  • Nausea 
  • Diarrhoea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Flatulence 
  • Fatigue 
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Xerostomia or dry mouth 
  • Nightmares 
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness 
  • Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to release, while females may suffer from inability to have a climactic experience. 

Some serious and rare side effects include:

  • Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
  • Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.
  • Dementia 
  • Difficulty in concentrating 
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Fever with chills 
  • Hallucinations
  • Convulsions 
  • Blackouts 
  • Coma

Side effects of Xanax 

Xanax is also associated with some side effects. These include:

  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness or fatigue 
  • Drowsiness 
  • Muscle pain
  • Vision problems 
  • Headache 
  • Hypersomnia 
  • Forgetfulness 
  • Troubled or intrusive thoughts
  • Impairment of motor coordination 
  • Constipation or diarrhoea 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Dementia 
  • Depression 
  • Abnormal behaviour
  • Blackouts 
  • Serious respiratory depression which lowers down breathing rate and can decrease the availability of oxygen in the blood. It could be life-threatening for people suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 

What are the risks associated with the use of Trintellix and Xanax? 

Trintellix and Xanax may cause some serious complications in some people. Trintellix is one of those antidepressants which are associated with a black-box warning. It can induce suicidal behavior in users younger than 24 yesrs of age. 

They may start showing signs of self-harming behaviour. It is absolutely necessary to keep an eye on such people, especially when they are new users and they don’t know how Trintellix makes them feel. 

Trintellix can also cause some cardiac side effects in people who are living with some cardiovascular disease. However, it may not affect every heart patient, but precautions are necessary to make sure it doesn’t affect your pre-existing health condition. 

Use of Trintellix in children may not be suitable, especially children younger than 18 years of age as the drug has not been tested on people of such age group. There are a lot of other safer options that you can go for. 

As far as adults are concerned, it may cause some mood disturbances, especially during the first few months of the treatment. Adults can become suicidal as well and they may suffer from enhanced depression for a little while. 

Trintellix may not work for everyone. When an antidepressant does not work, your mental health condition starts deteriorating even more and this is the biggest sign of therapeutic failure. People may also start having panic attacks and they may start worrying over small matters. 

Make sure you inform your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant before using Trintellix. You should also inform your doctor if you’re a breastfeeding mother. 

Xanax is also associated with some important warnings. The proper use of these benzodiazepines is crucial because of its shorter duration of action. The effects of Xanax start to wear off in around 8 to 10 hours. 

This makes people want to take this medication again because of the calming effects it produces. It causes muscle relaxation and makes you feel at peace. 

Xanax should be used carefully in pregnant women. Several research studies have revealed that excessive use of Xanax, especially during the third trimester can cause fetal defects. It may also cause some addictive effects in the new born baby. 

Xanax should be used cautiously by breastfeeding women as it can be passed to the baby through breastmilk and may cause some disturbing side effects in the young one. 

Xanax is contraindicated to be used in patients with major respiratory illnesses. This is because it is capable of causing respiratory depression and it can lead to life threatening complications for people suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially at higher doses. 

Make sure you use this combination only when it is absolutely necessary. Do not engage in certain activities right after taking these meds together, especially if you’re a new user and you don’t know how this combination makes you feel. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the concomitant use and safety and efficacy of Trintellix and Xanax. We have also looked at their basic uses and how these meds usually work. This blog has also covered some reasons why this combination could be a good option. 

One thing to bear in mind is that not every combination of meds work in the exact same way for every individual. Some people may not be able to bear this combination, while some other people may gain wholesome benefits for it. 

Make sure you only use meds in combination when prescribed by your healthcare provider. Always stick to your doctor’s recommended dose and frequency. Self medication is not something you should try and you should change your dose on your own.

FAQs: trintellix and xanax

Can you take Xanax while taking Trintellix?

You can take Xanax while taking Trintellix, but only if recommended by your healthcare provider. Trintellix and Xanax may not interact with one another, but it does not mean that an interaction is not possible.

Every single medication reacts with your body as well and if your physiological composition responds negatively to the combination of Trintellix and Xanax then you may suffer from some side effects. However, it is impossible to predict any interaction. 

What can you not take with Trintellix?

  • Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The combination use can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. 
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). The combination use can increase the risk of bleeding. 
  • Pimozide. The concomitant use can increase the plasma concentration(availability of a drug in the blood) of pimozide to much higher levels. It can result in life-threatening arrhythmia.
  • Controlled substances, including all narcotic analgesics. The concomitant use can cause severe psychological side effects. 
  • Mood stabilisers 
  • Alcohol 

Can you take antidepressants while on Xanax?

Yes, you can take antidepressants while being on Xanax. In fact, the combination of Xanax and safer antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is usually considered a good option to help manage anxiety and insomnia till your antidepressant kicks in. However, the combination is usually short lived and Xanax is discontinued when the antidepressant starts working. 

Is Trintellix good for severe anxiety?

Trintellix is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anxiety. However, it can be used off label, but there are plenty other approved and effective medications that can be used to treat severe anxiety. 

What drugs should not be taken with alprazolam?

  • Antifungals and antivirals. They may inhibit the metabolism of clonazepam and cause toxicity. 
  • Antiepileptics. The concomitant use may decrease the beneficial effects of clonazepam. 
  • Anti-allergy medications. The concomitant use increases the risk of sedation 
  • Narcotic analgesics or any other controlled substance. The concomitant use can cause serious CNS side effects. 
  • Sleeping pills
  • Other anxiolytics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). 

References

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