Vilazodone (Viibryd): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (original) (raw)

What is vilazodone used for?

Vilazodone is commonly used to treat depression.

Vilazodone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does vilazodone work (mechanism of action)?

Vilazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin modulators. The way it works is not completely understood. It is thought to work by increasing levels of a natural chemical called serotonin in the brain.

How is vilazodone supplied (dosage forms)?

Vilazodone is available as Viibryd and generic vilazodone in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

• 10 mg oral tablets
• 20 mg oral tablets
• 40 mg oral tablets

How should I store vilazodone?

Vilazodone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of vilazodone?

The most common side effects of vilazodone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Trouble sleeping

There may be other side effects of vilazodone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of vilazodone?

While less common, the most serious side effects of vilazodone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vilazodone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using vilazodone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Vilazodone or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

• New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
• Suicide attempt
• New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior

Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Vilazodone can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

• Sweating, fever, or flushing
• Confusion
• Feeling agitated or restless
• Seeing or hearing unusual things
• Dizziness
• Fast or racing heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
• Seizures

Abnormal Bleeding. People taking vilazodone or other antidepressants may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising. You may be at higher risk if you are also taking aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), like ibuprofen or naproxen, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in how easily you bruise or bleed.

Extremely Elevated Mood (Mania). People with bipolar disorder can have severe high and low moods. The first symptom of bipolar disorder may be depression. People with bipolar disorder who take an antidepressant, such as vilazodone, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a manic episode.

• Dramatic increase in energy
• Significant trouble sleeping
• Your thoughts are racing and fast-paced
• Engaging in reckless behavior
• Having unusually grand ideas
• Feeling excessively happy or irritable
• Talking more or faster than usual

Seizures. Some people who have taken vilazodone have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking vilazodone and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

• Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
• Stiffening of your arms and legs
• Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Falling or losing consciousness

Glaucoma. Vilazodone may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.

• Loss of vision
• Eye pain or redness
• Severe headache or vomiting
• Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)

Sexual Problems. Taking vilazodone or another serotonin modulator may cause sexual problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following sexual problems.

• Decreased sex drive
• Delayed ejaculation or unable to have an ejaculation
• Problems getting or keeping an erection
• Delayed orgasm or unable to have an orgasm

Low Sodium Level (Hyponatremia). Vilazodone may cause low sodium levels. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Tiredness or sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Restlessness or irritability
• Change in your mental condition such as hallucinations, confusion, decreased awareness, or alertness
• Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use vilazodone?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take vilazodone.

• Vilazodone
• Viibryd
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific vilazodone products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Vilazodone should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking vilazodone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about vilazodone before using it?

Do not take vilazodone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share vilazodone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep vilazodone out of the reach of children.

Take vilazodone with food.

Vilazodone can make you feel tired or affect your thinking and reaction time. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness and coordination until you know how vilazodone affects you.

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from vilazodone. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Do not stop taking vilazodone without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Anxiety, irritability, or high or low mood
• Feeling restless
• Changes in sleep habits
• Headache
• Sweating or shaking
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Electric shock-like feelings
• Confusion

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using vilazodone?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if vilazodone is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and past health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Mental health conditions, including current or past depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania (including personal history or family history)
• Glaucoma
• Seizures (or a history of seizures)
• Low sodium levels in the blood
• Any bleeding problems
• Drink alcohol

Pregnancy. Taking vilazodone later in pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of certain problems in your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take vilazodone while you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking vilazodone, you can register for the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants by calling 844-405-6185 or at www.womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants. This registry collects safety information about the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if vilazodone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does vilazodone interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between vilazodone and foods or drinks.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking vilazodone. The combination can increase sleepiness or affect your alertness or concentration.

Does vilazodone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking vilazodone.

• A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease (this also includes linezolid or methylene blue)
• A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety and depression
• A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
• A type of medicine called a triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which is commonly used to treat migraines
• St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
• Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
• Buspirone, which is a medicine for anxiety
• An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
• Amphetamines, such as Adderall, which are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy
• Opioid pain medicines, such as tramadol or fentanyl
• Medicines that affect bleeding, like a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), warfarin, or aspirin
• A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention)
• Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which are medicines used to control seizures
• Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
• Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of vilazodone, and vice versa. Vilazodone interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with vilazodone. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Vilazodone (Viibryd) interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much vilazodone?

If you or someone else has used too much vilazodone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of vilazodone?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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