FDA: Brintellix changing name to avoid confusion with brilinta

(HealthDay)—Following a July 2015 Drug Safety Communication that warned about name confusion between Brintellix and Brilinta resulting in prescribing errors, the antidepressant Brintellix (vortioxetine) is changing its name to Trintellix, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The drug with its new brand name is expected to be available in June 2016. There will be no other changes made to the label or packaging, and the medicine is unchanged. During the transition period, health care professionals and patients may continue to see bottles labeled with the old brand name due to the lag time associated with manufacturing bottles with the new brand name.

In order to reduce confusion between Brintellix and the antiplatelet medication Brilinta (ticagrelor), prescribers should include the generic name of the medication they are ordering, as well as the brand name and indications for use; patients should ensure that they have received the correct medication. Since the July 2015 Drug Safety Communication, five additional cases describing brand name confusion have been reported, bringing the total to 55 cases.

"We urge health care professionals and patients to report name confusion, medication errors, and any side effects involving Brintellix/Trintellix or Brilinta to the FDA MedWatch program," the agency said in a drug safety communication.