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A common side effect of vortioxetine is nausea, which has an incidence of 32% in patients who receive a dose of at least 15 milligrams.

Generally, the nausea is usually transient, dose-related and more common in women and during the first week of treatment.

Other common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and abnormal dreams. Studies of sexual dysfunction with vortioxetine show that it was not higher than placebo and lower than other SSRIs or SNRIs.

If these side effects persist or worsen, consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider.

There is also the possibility of more severe side effects. If any of the following occur, inform a doctor right away:

• shaking (tremor)
• restlessness
• inability to keep still
• changes in sexual ability or decreased interest in sex
• numbness/tingling
• easy bleeding or bruising
• difficulty concentrating or memory changes
• confusion
• weakness.

Severe side effects can include seizures, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and eye problems such as pain, swelling, redness, dilated pupils or vision changes. These need immediate medical attention.

Increasing levels of serotonin can very rarely cause serotonin sickness. Seek immediate help or go directly to an emergency room if any of the following signs occur:

• fast heartbeat
• hallucinations
• loss of coordination
• severe dizziness
• severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• twitching muscles
• unexplained fever
• unusual agitation or restlessness.

Please note that not all possible side effects can be listed. If you experience any of these or any other unexpected side effects, seek medical attention promptly. 

Vortioxetine can be prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. It corrects low levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that enables messages to cross between neurons at synapses (nerve junctions). Low levels of serotonin are a major cause of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of general depression include:

• appetite changes
• fatigue
• loss of interest in activities
• trouble sleeping, thinking, focusing, or making decisions
• feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sadness or a depressed mood
• thoughts of suicide or death
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss or gain

Before diagnosing the condition as general depression, doctors will rule out other conditions that can present similar symptoms, such as bipolar disorder, anemia, anxiety (although anxiety is sometimes a symptom of depression and many people have both depression and anxiety), ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), cyclothymic disorder (mild  bipolar disorder), diabetes, fibromyalgia, hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and vitamin D deficiency.

Doctors who want to confirm a diagnosis of depression, or rule out other possibilities, can order a blood test of serotonin levels, although this test is normally done when carcinoid syndrome is suspected.