Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesBefore TakingDosageViibryd Side EffectsWarnings and Interactions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Uses

Before Taking

Dosage

Viibryd Side Effects

Warnings and Interactions

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What is the most important information I should know about Viibryd?You should not take Viibryd if:you have a known hypersensitivity to vilazodone or any inactive ingredients in the medication; oryou have taken an MAOI anytime in the previous 14 days; oryou are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; oryou are being treated with intravenous methylene blue or medications/supplements that increase serotonin levels.

What is the most important information I should know about Viibryd?

You should not take Viibryd if:you have a known hypersensitivity to vilazodone or any inactive ingredients in the medication; oryou have taken an MAOI anytime in the previous 14 days; oryou are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; oryou are being treated with intravenous methylene blue or medications/supplements that increase serotonin levels.

You should not take Viibryd if:

Viibryd(the generic form is calledvilazodone) is an antidepressant commonly used to treatmajor depressive disorder(MDD). It belongs to a class of drugs known asselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs). Viibryd is available in the form of oral tablets.

The exact way Viibryd helps to treatdepressionis unclear, but it’s believed to help regulate the serotonin levels in your brain, which can help manage depressive symptoms.

Viibryd Uses

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is a condition that causes a person to persistently experience low moods and feelings of sadness and despair.

Those dealing with MDD could also feel a decreased interest in activities they used to enjoy, a lack of energy, insomnia, guilt, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.

Off-Label Uses

7 Common Types of Depression

Before Taking Viibryd

The active ingredient in Viibryd is vilazodone. Before taking Viibryd, you should let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to it.

Also, go through the list of inactive ingredients with your doctor to make sure that you aren’t allergic to any of them. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

Viibryd is typically not prescribed to children under the age of 18 because of potential to develop adverse effects. However, in some cases, your doctor might decide that that’s the best course of treatment for your child.

Before taking, tell your doctor if you are on any other medication. Taking medications likemonoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs), alongside or shortly before starting Viibryd could cause some serious adverse effects.

If You Are Pregnant

Precautions and Contraindications

Teenagers and young adults under the age of 24 have been reported to experience anincrease in suicidal thoughtswhen using antidepressants like Viibryd.

If you notice any of the following signs, like trouble sleeping, sudden changes in mood and behaviors, aggressive behaviors, irritability, and panic attacks, you should inform your doctor immediately.

Viibryd Dosage

Your doctor will consider a couple of things before deciding on which dosage of Viibryd is best for you. They will consider the severity of your condition and symptoms, your response to and tolerance to the medication, your medical history, and other medications, vitamins, and supplements you might be taking.

Most people are likely to be started on a low dose, which is gradually increased as your doctor observes your tolerance for the medication and the rate of improvement of your condition. According to the manufacturer, Viibryd comes in varying milligram (mg) strengths:

The manufacturer does recommend a standard dosage for treating major depressive disorder: 10 mg a day is recommended for 7 days, after which your dosage might be increased to 20 milligrams a day. As your progress is monitored, your dosage might be increased to 40 mg a day or maintained at 20 mg per day.

Modifications

People who are also taking CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole should not be given a dosage that exceeds 20 milligrams a day. CYP3A4 is an enzyme in your body which is responsible for the efficient metabolism of many medications. CYP3A4 inhibitors block their metabolic activities.

Also, people on medications like erythromycin, which is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and inhibits CYP3A4 receptors, might experience more severe side effects when using Viibryd. If this occurs, the dose is typically reduced to 20 milligrams a day.

How to Take and Store

Viibryd is typically prescribed to be taken once a day with food.You should try to take Viibryd at the same time every day to form a habit so that you don’t miss a dose.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you only remember at the time of your next dose, you should not take a double dose.

Store this medication at room temperature and keep it away from excessive heat or moisture.

You might feel some side effects while using Viibryd. While they are typically mild, they could sometimes be severe. If they are severe, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose or discontinue your use of the medication.

Common

Some common side effects people who use Viibryd might experience include:

In most cases, these side effects will reduce with time. If you have any worries about the side effects you are experiencing or think they might be worsening, speak to your doctor.

Severe

In rare cases, people using Viibryd might experience more severe side effects such as:

It’s important that you continue your medication, even if you think you no longer need it. Stopping the use of this medication abruptly might cause you to develop withdrawal symptoms like seizures, headaches, fatigue, and mood swings.

If you are asked to stop taking Viibryd and begin feeling any withdrawal symptoms, bring it to the attention of your doctor.

You shouldn’t drive or use heavy machinery after using this drug as in some cases it might make you feel dizzy and drowsy and alter the way you think.You should also avoid drinking alcohol when using this medication. Alcohol might make you feel dizzy, and drowsy.

In certain cases, Viibryd might cause a condition known as angle-closure glaucoma. This causes the fluid coming out of your eyes to become blocked and increases the pressure in your eyes, which might cause a loss of vision.

It’s always important to supply your doctor with a list of every other medication, vitamins, or supplements you are currently taking. Some might interact adversely with Viibryd, reduce the effectiveness of the medication, or cause you to experience more severe side effects.

Studies show that Viibryd, can cause an increase insuicidal thoughtsand actions in children and young adults who are below 24.Any signs of anxiety, restlessness, sudden mood changes and insomnia could be indicative of suicidal feelings. If you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, speak to your healthcare provider about it.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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University of Michigan: Michigan Medicine.Vilazodone.

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Hill T, Coupland C, Morriss R, Arthur A, Moore M, Hippisley-Cox J.Antidepressant use and risk of epilepsy and seizures in people aged 20 to 64 years: cohort study using a primary care database.BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15(1):315.

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Cruz MP. Vilazodone HCl (Viibryd):A serotonin partial agonist and reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of major depressive disorder.P T. 2012;37(1):28-31.

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National Alliance on Mental Illness.Vilazodone (Viibryd).

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