Viibryd 20mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication with food as directed. Continue taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you have questions about disposing of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs available in your area.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Always take Viibryd with food. Taking it without food can significantly reduce how much medication your body absorbs, making it less effective.
- Do not stop taking Viibryd suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Viibryd, as it can worsen side effects like dizziness or drowsiness.
- Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how Viibryd affects you, as it may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's Wort, as interactions can occur.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Generic Alternatives:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash or hives
+ Itching or red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing or tightness in the chest or throat
+ Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of low sodium levels, including:
+ Headache
+ Trouble focusing or memory problems
+ Feeling confused or weak
+ Seizures or changes in balance
Signs of bleeding, such as:
+ Vomiting or coughing up blood
+ Vomit that resembles coffee grounds
+ Blood in the urine
+ Black, red, or tarry stools
+ Bleeding from the gums
+ Abnormal vaginal bleeding
+ Unexplained bruises or bruises that get bigger
+ Uncontrollable bleeding
Seizures
Sex problems, including:
+ Decreased interest in sex
+ Difficulty having an orgasm
+ Ejaculation problems
+ Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that may occur, especially if you take certain other medications. Call your doctor right away if you experience:
+ Agitation
+ Changes in balance
+ Confusion
+ Hallucinations
+ Fever
+ Fast or abnormal heartbeat
+ Flushing
+ Muscle twitching or stiffness
+ Seizures
+ Shivering or shaking
+ Excessive sweating
+ Severe diarrhea, stomach upset, or vomiting
+ Severe headache
Other Possible Side Effects
Most people do not experience severe side effects, and some may have only minor side effects. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention if they bother you or do not go away:
Trouble sleeping
Diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or vomiting
Dry mouth
Dizziness or headache
* Feeling sleepy
Reporting Side Effects
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Worsening depression or new suicidal thoughts/behaviors, especially in the first few weeks of treatment or after a dose change.
- Symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, confusion, fast heart rate, fever, sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
- Symptoms of hyponatremia (low sodium): headache, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness, memory problems, seizures.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Symptoms of a manic episode: greatly increased energy, severe trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, reckless behavior, unusually grand ideas, excessive happiness or irritability.
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma.
If you are currently taking or have recently taken certain medications, including:
+ Linezolid or methylene blue.
+ Certain antidepressants or Parkinson's disease medications within the last 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline, as this may increase the risk of very high blood pressure.
Other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as this is not an exhaustive list of potential interactions.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to discuss all your medications and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
Before using marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that may cause drowsiness, consult with your doctor. It may take several weeks to experience the full effects of this medication.
Do not abruptly stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor, as this may increase your risk of side effects. If you need to discontinue this medication, your doctor will instruct you on how to gradually stop taking it to minimize potential risks.
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding, which can be life-threatening in some cases. Discuss this risk with your doctor. Certain individuals may have a higher risk of developing eye problems while taking this drug. Your doctor may recommend an eye exam to assess your risk. If you experience eye pain, changes in vision, or swelling and redness in or around the eye, contact your doctor immediately.
Low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) can occur with this medication, and in severe cases, this can be fatal. Discuss this risk with your doctor. If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Taking this drug during the third trimester of pregnancy may increase your risk of bleeding after delivery and may lead to health problems in the newborn. Your doctor will help you weigh the benefits and risks of taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Serotonin syndrome (as described above)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
- Hypotension
- Syncope
- Seizures
- Coma
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. There is no specific antidote.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, linezolid, methylene blue) - risk of serotonin syndrome. Allow at least 14 days between discontinuing an MAOI and starting vilazodone, and 14 days between discontinuing vilazodone and starting an MAOI.
Major Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir): Reduce vilazodone dose by half (e.g., from 40 mg to 20 mg, or from 20 mg to 10 mg).
- Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin): Increase vilazodone dose (e.g., from 20 mg to 40 mg).
- Other Serotonergic Drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, tryptophan, St. John's Wort): Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Drugs that impair platelet aggregation (e.g., NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin): Increased risk of bleeding.
Moderate Interactions
- Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil): Monitor for increased vilazodone effects.
- Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., efavirenz, bosentan): Monitor for decreased vilazodone efficacy.
Minor Interactions
- Not specifically defined for minor interactions; generally, monitor for additive CNS effects with other CNS depressants.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and monitor treatment efficacy.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: Antidepressants carry a Black Box Warning for increased risk of suicidality in young adults.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: To assess baseline for risk of hyponatremia, particularly in elderly or those on diuretics.
Timing: Prior to initiation (consider in at-risk patients)
Rationale: To guide dosing adjustments in patients with severe impairment.
Timing: Prior to initiation (if clinically indicated)
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Weekly for first 4-6 weeks, then monthly or as clinically indicated.
Target: Reduction in symptom scores, improved mood and functioning.
Action Threshold: Lack of improvement or worsening symptoms may require dose adjustment or alternative therapy.
Frequency: Especially during initial treatment and dose changes.
Target: Absence of suicidal ideation/behavior.
Action Threshold: Immediate clinical assessment and intervention if observed.
Frequency: Regularly, especially during titration and initial weeks.
Target: Tolerable side effect profile.
Action Threshold: Severe or intolerable side effects may require dose reduction or discontinuation.
Frequency: Periodically, especially in elderly, volume-depleted, or those on diuretics.
Target: 135-145 mEq/L
Action Threshold: <135 mEq/L (hyponatremia) requires investigation and management.
Frequency: Periodically, as some antidepressants can affect cardiovascular parameters.
Target: Within normal limits for patient.
Action Threshold: Significant changes may require intervention.
Symptom Monitoring
- Worsening depression
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Unusual changes in behavior or mood (e.g., agitation, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, aggression, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, mania)
- Serotonin syndrome symptoms (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, coma, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia, tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination, GI symptoms)
- Hyponatremia symptoms (e.g., headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness, hallucinations, syncope, seizures, coma)
- Abnormal bleeding or bruising
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting)
- Insomnia or somnolence
- Sexual dysfunction
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Vilazodone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Neonates exposed to SSRIs/SNRIs late in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding. These complications can arise immediately upon delivery.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Vilazodone is present in human milk. The effects on the breastfed infant and on milk production are unknown. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) have not been established. Antidepressants, including vilazodone, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly subjects and younger subjects, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Elderly patients may be at increased risk for hyponatremia (low sodium levels) when treated with vilazodone. A lower starting dose (10 mg) may be considered for some elderly patients.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Vilazodone MUST be taken with food. Taking it without food significantly reduces its absorption and effectiveness.
- The initial 10 mg dose for 7 days is a titration step to improve tolerability; patients should then increase to 20 mg daily.
- Like other antidepressants, vilazodone should not be stopped abruptly due to the risk of discontinuation syndrome (e.g., dizziness, sensory disturbances, agitation, anxiety, nausea, sweating, tremor, confusion). Tapering is recommended.
- Monitor for symptoms of serotonin syndrome, especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents.
- Be aware of the Black Box Warning regarding increased risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Alternative Therapies
- Other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine)
- Atypical Antidepressants (e.g., bupropion, mirtazapine, vortioxetine)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Psychotherapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT)