Key takeaways
Trintellix (vortioxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are both medications used to treat depression, but they belong to different drug classes. Trintellix is an atypical antidepressant, while Effexor is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Trintellix is only approved for treating depression, whereas Effexor is also approved for anxiety, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Trintellix is taken once a day and is not available as a generic, while Effexor comes in both immediate-release and extended-release forms and is available as a lower-cost generic. Trintellix may cause less weight gain compared to other antidepressants, but Effexor is more likely to cause severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Both medications can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and serotonin syndrome, especially when taken with other medications that affect serotonin levels.
