Medication Guide
Vilazodone (Viibryd) Side Effects and Uses
A plain-language guide to Vilazodone, an SSRI and serotonin partial agonist antidepressant. Learn how it helps, what it treats, how to take it and which side effects to know about.
Quick answer. Vilazodone (Viibryd) is an SSRI and serotonin partial agonist antidepressant. Common vilazodone side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or upset stomach and trouble sleeping. The rare but serious ones, and when to get help, are listed under vilazodone side effects below. Never stop or change your dose on your own.
How Vilazodone Can Help You
Vilazodone (Viibryd) treats depression in two ways. It blocks serotonin reuptake like an SSRI. It also partly turns on the serotonin 1A receptor. That is the same receptor targeted by buspirone, an anxiety medicine.
This dual action may help some people. It may suit those who had partial relief or hard side effects on SSRIs. Each person responds differently.
Benefits build slowly. Early changes may show up within one to two weeks. The full effect takes four to eight weeks. Your prescriber raises the dose in steps at the start to limit stomach upset. Taking every dose with food is essential. The body absorbs much less on an empty stomach.
Uses for Vilazodone
- Major depressive disorder in adults
- Generalized anxiety disorder (off-label)
- Depression with anxiety
- Social anxiety disorder (off-label)
How to Take Vilazodone
Your prescriber decides your dose and how it changes over the first weeks. Vilazodone must be taken with food, such as a full meal or a good-sized snack. Most people take it with breakfast or dinner at the same time each day.
If you miss a dose, take it with your next meal that day. Skip it if the next dose is close, and do not double up. Do not stop vilazodone suddenly. That can cause dizziness, irritability and poor sleep. Any change or taper should follow your prescriber's plan.
Vilazodone Side Effects
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting or upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Vivid dreams
- Tiredness
Serious: Get Medical Help Promptly
- New or worse suicidal thoughts, mostly in people under 25 (boxed warning)
- Serotonin syndrome, with agitation, fever, fast heartbeat or stiff muscles
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Low sodium (hyponatremia), mostly in older adults
- Mania, with a very high or irritable mood
How Vilazodone Works
Like an SSRI, vilazodone slows serotonin reuptake, so more serotonin stays active. It also acts as a partial agonist at the 1A receptor. That means it turns the receptor on part of the way.
In theory, this mix may ease anxiety that comes with depression. It may also change how side effects feel. Research has not shown it works better than other antidepressants for everyone. It is one more option when a standard SSRI has not been the right fit.
Before You Start Vilazodone
Vilazodone must never be taken with an MAOI antidepressant. Other drugs that raise serotonin add to the risk of serotonin syndrome. Aspirin, NSAIDs and blood thinners raise bleeding risk. Some antifungals and antibiotics raise vilazodone levels. If you take one, your prescriber may lower the dose.
Tell your prescriber about bipolar disorder, seizures, glaucoma, bleeding problems and low sodium. Vilazodone is not approved for children or teens. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911. Learn about medication management by telehealth in California.
Is Vilazodone Right for You?
Only a full evaluation with a prescriber can tell you if Vilazodone fits your symptoms, history and goals. Harpal Singh, PMHNP-BC offers psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management by telehealth anywhere in California.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT CALL (888) 457-8124
Related Medication Guides
Other guides in the same group, written the same simple way. Being in one group does not mean you can swap one medicine for another.
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), SNRI antidepressant
- Vortioxetine (Trintellix), Serotonin modulator antidepressant
- Amitriptyline (Elavil), Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL), Atypical antidepressant (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor)
- Citalopram (Celexa), SSRI antidepressant
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), SNRI antidepressant
FAQ
Questions About Vilazodone
Why do I have to take vilazodone with food?
Food greatly increases how much of the medicine your body absorbs. On an empty stomach, you may get too little for it to work. If it seems to stop working, check whether you have been taking it without eating. Pair it with the same meal each day.
How is vilazodone different from a regular SSRI?
It blocks serotonin reuptake like an SSRI, and it also partly turns on the 1A serotonin receptor. Buspirone, an anxiety medicine, acts on that same receptor. This may help some people, but responses vary.
Does vilazodone cause fewer sexual side effects?
Sexual side effects can still happen on vilazodone, as with other serotonin medicines. Some people find it easier in this area, but that is not true for everyone. If this has been a problem before, tell your prescriber so it is part of the choice.
What are the most common side effects?
Stomach symptoms, mainly diarrhea and nausea, are the most common. They show up most in the first weeks and after dose increases, and they usually ease as your body adjusts. The step-by-step start is meant to limit them.
Can I stop taking it once I feel better?
Not without a plan. Stopping suddenly can cause stopping symptoms, and stopping too soon after recovery raises the chance of relapse. Many prescribers suggest staying on it for several months after you feel well, then tapering slowly.
How long does vilazodone take to work?
Some people notice early changes in one to two weeks. The full effect usually takes four to eight weeks. Keep taking it with food every day during this time.
Will vilazodone make me gain weight?
Weight change is possible with any antidepressant, and each person is different. Keep an eye on your weight over time. Tell your prescriber if you notice a change you do not want.
Can I drink alcohol on vilazodone?
It is best to limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol can worsen depression and add to dizziness or drowsiness. Ask your prescriber what is safe for you.