Question

Will there be drug interactions with vortioxetine (Brintellix)?

30 November 2017. Related: All topics, Drug interactions.

I am currently on dolutegravir and truvada which I take before bed. I take Brintillex (10mg) in the morning when I wake up.

Due to insomnia (which may be due in part to DTG) I would like to move my ARVs to a morning routine.

Are there any known drug-drug interactions between my ARVs and AD?

Thanks

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thanks for getting in touch.

Usually the best way to check for drug interactions is to use this excellent online resource from Liverpool University.

https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org

In this case, the SSRI vortioxetine (Brintellix) is not included as an option. However, there no drug interactions with any of the other SSRIs that are listed:

• citalopram (Cipramil)
• escitalopram (Cipralex)
• fluoxetine (Prozac or Oxactin)
• fluvoxamine (Faverin)
• paroxetine (Seroxat)
• sertraline (Lustral)

This is a good likely sign that you can take Brintellix with your HIV meds. See: Interaction report on SSRIs with doluteravir, tenofovir and emtricitabine.

Please contact your pharmacist to ask though as advocates at i-Base are not doctors or pharmacists. This is probably better to phone the hospital where your HIV meds are prescribed, but a local pharmacy should also be able to help.

Another way to check for interactions is to look at the leaflet that should come with your meds. The patient information and product information for Brintellix on the European Medicines Agency is at this link:
http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/002717/human_med_001714.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d124

It shows that although Brintellix is processed by some of the same liver enzymes that some HIV drugs use, the main enzyme (called 2D6) is not used by any of your HIV meds.

This means it should be fine to take both together – but please check with your doctor.