What Is Vilazodone (Viibryd)?
Vilazodone hydrochloride is a medicine that doctors prescribe to treat adults with depression (also called major depressive disorder, or MDD). Your doctor may suggest that you try vilazodone if you’ve tried another antidepressant without success.
Your doctor also may prescribe vilazodone off-label if you have bipolar depression, anxiety disorders including PTSD, chronic pain, and hot flashes. That means it isn’t specifically approved for those conditions, but some doctors find it helps.
Vilazodone comes in 10-, 20-, and 40-milligram tablets. The FDA approved it in 2011. It’s not approved for children.
Is Vilazodone the Same as Viibryd?
Vilazodone hydrochloride is the generic version of the drug sold under the brand name Viibryd. Generic drugs are equivalent to their branded versions in terms of safety, effectiveness, and quality. This means you can take the generic version and it will work the same as the brand name drug.
How Much Does Vilazodone (Viibryd) Cost?
If you have insurance, a 30-day supply of 40-milligram Viibryd tablets can cost about $60. Lower doses can cost less, but that’s not always the case. If you don’t have insurance, a month’s supply of Viibryd, the branded drug, can cost more than $300.
Generics are cheaper. A 30-day supply of a 40-milligram dose of vilazodone can cost about $12 with insurance and over $85 without. The company that makes Viibryd offers a savings program that allows you to get a 30- or 90-day supply for as little as $15. There are some restrictions with that program in terms of who is eligible. For example, the discount offer does not apply if you have coverage from Medicare or Medicaid.
Is Vilazodone (Viibryd) an SSRI?
Yes. Vilazodone belongs to a popular class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This means that it boosts the levels of serotonin, a chemical that carries signals between the brain nerve cells and regulates your mood.
Vilazodone also belongs to another class of antidepressants called a partial serotonin receptor agonist. This means the drug not only increases serotonin, but it stimulates a receptor to improve the effects. It’s like getting two mechanisms of increasing serotonin in one pill.
That’s why experts call vilazodone a serotonin partial agonist reuptake inhibitor (SPARI). It combines the effect of an SSRI and a partial serotonin receptor agonist.
Is Vilazodone (Viibryd) a Controlled Substance?
No. Controlled substances have the potential to be abused or addictive, so the government keeps them under tight access and may limit refills. Vilazodone doesn’t fall under those strict rules. But you’ll still need a doctor to prescribe it, and they can specify how often it can be refilled.
Does Vilazodone (Viibryd) Cause Weight Gain?
Like most antidepressants, it can. One study shows that vilazodone people gained weight less when on it compared to the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft), but it hasn’t been studied against all other antidepressants. Overall, studies show people on it gain weight less compared to other treatment options.
Does Vilazodone (Viibryd) Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
It may lead to sexual dysfunction in men and women. This can include trouble getting or keeping an erection. That can be common with other antidepressants, too. It also may make it harder to ejaculate or delay it from happening. Vilazodone may lower your sex drive and your ability to achieve orgasm.
Studies show that people taking vilazodone have less sexual dysfunction compared to other antidepressants. Some research found vilazodone didn’t have much of an effect on adults’ sexual function when they took it, paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), or a placebo (no medicine). Other research says sexual dysfunction improved for the most part whether people took vilazodone, citalopram (Celexa), or a placebo. People saw improvements in depression when they took vilazodone or sertraline (Zoloft), but researchers say vilazodone caused less sexual side effects and weight gain compared to sertraline.
In fact, vilazodone has been marketed as an alternative to other antidepressants because it has a lower incidence of sexual side effects compared to other treatment options.
How Long Does It Take for Vilazodone (Viibryd) to Work?
It can take weeks to tell if an antidepressant is working. You may see improvements in your appetite, sleep, and energy levels in as soon as 1 to 2 weeks. You may have to wait about 6 to 8 weeks to feel less depressed or more interested in activities.
Some research shows vilazodone may work more quickly than other antidepressants. But it also may lead to more nausea, which is a common side effect of vilazodone.
If you don’t think it’s working, take care not to quit suddenly. That may cause nausea, headaches, seizures, and other issues. It’s best to lower your dosage slowly based on your doctor’s advice.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Vilazodone (Viibryd)?
The most common side effects you may have if you take vilazodone are:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty sleeping
There are also serious side effects, like seizures, increased risk for bleeding, getting too much serotonin, and low sodium levels in your blood. For example, if you’re on a blood thinner like warfarin, your doctor may advise you not to take vilazodone.
Your doctor can help you tell if you’re a good candidate for vilazodone. If you have side effects, your doctor can help you tell if you should give the medicine more time or stop taking it.
Does Vilazodone (Viibryd) Help Anxiety?
Vilazodone isn’t approved by the FDA to treat anxiety. But some doctors do give it to people with anxiety because it may work for them. This is called an off-label use.
Research shows it worked well for people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It has also helped people with depression who also have anxiety symptoms.
Many antidepressants can treat anxiety as well as depression. SSRIs are the most prescribed type of antidepressant. So if you’re dealing with anxiety, your doctor may suggest that you try an antidepressant.
Can Vilazodone (Viibryd) Be Split?
Your doctor could suggest splitting a pill if you’re increasing or decreasing your dose. But if you’re taking the recommended dose, there’s usually no need to split a pill because it comes in various recommended doses.
You normally start with a 10-milligram dose when you begin taking this medication. If tapering off of the medication, you should reduce the dose gradually -- don’t stop abruptly. Follow your doctor’s instructions on whether it’s OK for you to cut a pill to adjust your dose.
Can You Take Aspirin With Vilazodone (Viibryd)?
Combining aspirin and other blood thinners like warfarin with vilazodone can raise your chances of bleeding. The same is true if you take vilazodone with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil and Motrin. Your doctor can advise you about taking pain relievers or blood thinners if you’re going to start taking vilazodone.
