Medications and Drugs

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3. Benefits of Depression Treatment

Brand Names: Viibryd

Generic Name: vilazodone (Pronunciation: vil AZ oh done)

• What is vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• What are the possible side effects of vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• What is the most important information I should know about vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• How should I take vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Viibryd)?
• What happens if I overdose (Viibryd)?
• What should I avoid while taking vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• What other drugs will affect vilazodone (Viibryd)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is vilazodone (Viibryd)?

Vilazodone is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Vilazodone affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

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

Vilazodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of vilazodone (Viibryd)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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.

Stop taking vilazodone and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• seizures (convulsions);
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), blood in your urine or stools, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes, feeling like you might pass out;
• racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• mild nausea; 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.

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

Do not use vilazodone if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before you take vilazodone, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, seizures, bipolar disorder, low levels of sodium in your blood, or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for the first few months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

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.

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