Vortioxetine
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Vortioxetine can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.
What is it?
Vortioxetine is used to treat depression. It works in a similar way to a group of antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking vortioxetine?
Vortioxetine (Brintellix®) can prevent or reduce the unpleasant symptoms of depression. This is important for your quality of life and to ensure that you remain well in preparation for caring for your baby.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking vortioxetine during pregnancy?
Vortioxetine is quite a new drug and its use in pregnancy has not been well-studied. There is no evidence to suggest that it can harm your baby but more information is ideally required.
Vortioxetine is related to SSRI antidepressants and so may have similar effects on the baby. SSRIs are commonly taken during pregnancy. While some studies have shown that SSRI use in pregnancy may slightly increase the chance of heart problems in the baby, it is clear that most women taking an SSRI will have a baby with a normal heart.
Women taking vortioxetine in pregnancy will usually be advised to have a hospital delivery. This is because:
• Drugs like vortioxetine can sometime cause short-term withdrawal symptoms in your newborn baby. Observation of your baby for a short time after birth may be needed.
• Rarely, SSRI use in pregnancy can cause a problem where blood flow to your newborn baby’s lungs is too high. This is called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Because vortioxetine is similar to SSRIs, as a precaution, your baby will be checked for breathing problems by a midwife or paediatrician.
• Women taking vortioxetine in the month before delivery may have a slightly higher risk of post-partum haemorrhage (increased blood loss following birth). A hospital delivery ensures that if this occurs it can be treated quickly.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking vortioxetine?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat mental health conditions. However, if vortioxetine works for you, it may be best to stay on it rather than try something new and risk becoming unwell.
If you are planning a pregnancy, please speak to your GP or specialist about whether vortioxetine is still right for you.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important that mental health conditions are well-treated to ensure your wellbeing during pregnancy and while looking after your baby. Your doctor will be happy to discuss any concerns about medicines prescribed in pregnancy.
Please do not stop taking vortioxetine unless you have been advised to do so by your GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK are offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check their baby is developing normally. No further scans to check for birth defects are required following vortioxetine use in pregnancy.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken vortioxetine?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes vortioxetine.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.