The FDA has approved the name change of major depressive disorder (MDD) medication Brintellix to Trintellix after reports of dispensing errors. Since June of 2015, the FDA received 50 reports of medication error cases that indicated Brintellix was being dispensed by pharmacists as brand name medication Brilinta, an anti-blood clotting drug. While the FDA states that people did not ingest the wrong drug in these cases, patients and healthcare professionals should observe drug labels closely until the name is transitioned.
Brintellix vs. Brilinta
As a depression medication, Brintellix contains the main active ingredient vortioxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by targeting neurotransmitters and rebalancing brain function. Brintellix comes in a tablet form shaped like a tear and is marked with “TL” on one side, with the other side containing the dosage strength.
Brintellix Pill
In contrast, Brilinta is a blood thinner that is prescribed to patients to lower the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and severe chest pain. The main active ingredient in Brilinta is an anticoagulant called ticagrelor, and it works by preventing blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots in major arteries. Brilinta tablets are round and are stamped with a “90” above a “T” on the side.
Brilinta Pill
The consequences of ingesting the wrong drug can be severe depending on the dosage strength of the drug. For example, if you unknowingly take a blood thinner like Brilinta instead of Brintellix, the risk for serious bleeding that can lead to hospitalizations and death is significant. The danger for patients who have taken serotonergic antidepressants is even more alarming, as Brintellix triggers abnormal bleeding and even changes in vision that can lead to blindness in patients who do not need the medication.
The FDA notes the change from Brintellix to Trintellix is expected to happen around June of 2016. However, they warn that the transition period could take longer as medication bottle manufacturers make the label change to the new drug name. The FDA advises pharmacists, doctors and patients to pay close attention to the drug labels to prevent dispensing errors between Brintellix and Brilinta. Among other recommendations, the FDA advises doctors to include the generic name and brand name, as well as writing a note in the prescription to explain what the medication is used for. Patients should return the medication to the pharmacy if they receive the wrong drug in error.
