Generic name: vilazodone [ vil-AZ-oh-done ]
Brand names: Viibryd, Viibryd Starter
Drug class: Miscellaneous antidepressants

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Nov 21, 2024.

What is Viibryd?

Viibryd is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Viibryd is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

It is not known if Viibryd is safe and effective for use in children for the treatment of MDD.

Warnings

Do not use Viibryd if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others, or if you have had a methylene blue injection. A dangerous drug interaction could occur.

Some young people (children and adults ages 24 and younger) have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Viibryd is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Do not stop using Viibryd without first asking your doctor.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Viibryd if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

After you stop taking Viibryd, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with Viibryd could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Viibryd is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression);

• sexual problems;

• drug addiction or suicidal thoughts; or

• if you drink alcohol.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop Viibryd without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of vilazodone on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Viibryd?

Take Viibryd exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take Viibryd with food.

Your symptoms may not improve for up to several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Do not stop using Viibryd suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day for 7 days, followed by 20 mg orally once a day for an additional 7 days
Maintenance dose: 40 mg orally once a day

Comment: This drug should be taken with food.

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of vilazodone can be fatal.

What should I avoid while taking Viibryd?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with Viibryd may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Viibryd side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Viibryd: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a seizure (convulsions);

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

• racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or

• low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common Viibryd side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting;

• diarrhea; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

What other drugs will affect Viibryd?

Using Viibryd with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can ionteract with vilazodone, especially:

• any other antidepressants;

• mephenytoin;

• St. John's wort;

• tramadol;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness such as schizophrenia;

• a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

• migraine headache medicine - sumatriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt, Treximet, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect vilazodone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

• What are some common side effects of antidepressants?

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Viibryd only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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