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Viibryd (vilazodone) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).
These insights are based on 103 comments about Viibryd from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Viibryd is a type of medication called an antidepressant. It works by increasing serotonin, a chemical in the brain. It blocks the reuptake, or recycling, of serotonin and also partly activates a serotonin receptor.
This may help improve how serotonin works in the brain. The exact way Viibryd helps treat depression is not fully known.
Doctors prescribe Viibryd for adults with major depressive disorder. By improving serotonin signaling, the medication may help manage depression symptoms.
Viibryd comes as a tablet taken by mouth once a day with food. Treatment usually starts with a low dose and then increases.
The recommended starting dose of Viibryd for depression in adults is 10 milligrams once daily with food for seven days. Then the dose is increased to 20 milligrams once daily with food. Some people may need 20 milligrams to 40 milligrams once daily.
If needed, the dose can be increased to 40 milligrams after at least seven days.
If treatment is stopped, the dose should be lowered slowly instead of stopped all at once.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 103 comments about Viibryd from MyDepressionTeam members.Members who use Viibryd often say it helps to stay in close contact with a doctor, especially during dose changes, side effects, or the first several weeks of treatment. Many also mention taking it with food, keeping expectations realistic about how long it may take to work, and speaking up quickly if symptoms feel severe or unusual.
Take Viibryd with food for better tolerance.
“After reading up on it, I realized I wasn’t eating when taking it.”
Tell your doctor about side effects right away.
“I think I have an allergic reaction to my new antidepressant med, Viibryd. I have been having difficulty breathing, as well as chest and back pain that is different from my usual pain. And suicidal thoughts have been bad, so I called my doctor.”
Talk to your doctor before stopping or changing your dose.
“Stopping meds is very dangerous. Talk to your doctor.”
Connect with others who understand life with depression. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.
In clinical studies of Viibryd for major depressive disorder in adults, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 29 percent of people. These include:
Viibryd can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
AbbVie, the manufacturer of Viibryd, offers the Viibryd Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $15 per 30- or 90-day Viibryd prescription fill. The offer is not valid for people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state healthcare programs.
The Viibryd Savings Card also provides support with general program questions, savings card activation, and applying to savings programs. To learn more, visit the Viibryd Savings Card website or call 877-271-9952.
Before starting Viibryd, your doctor should check if you have bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania. They should also ask if these conditions run in your family.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to vilazodone or any ingredients in Viibryd.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Viibryd if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Do not take it if you stopped an MAOI in the last 14 days. This includes linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.
Also tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Do not start or stop any medicine during Viibryd treatment without talking to your doctor first.
Viibryd is not approved for use in children.
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. Do not take two doses at the same time.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Viibryd, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
A pregnancy registry is available for women who take Viibryd during pregnancy. To learn more, visit the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants website or call 844-405-6185.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Viibryd?
In studies of adults with major depressive disorder, Viibryd improved depression symptoms more than a placebo (an inactive treatment) over eight to 10 weeks.
In three eight-week studies using 40 milligrams daily, people taking Viibryd had scores that improved about 2.5 to 5.1 points more than placebo on a depression rating scale.
In a 10-week study, both 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams daily also improved scores more than placebo, by about 2.6 and 2.8 points.
These score changes show improvement in depression symptoms.
How long does Viibryd take to work for depression?
In clinical studies, Viibryd was tested over eight to 10 weeks to measure improvement in depression symptoms. These studies did not report exactly how long it takes for each person to start feeling better.
Can Viibryd cause trouble sleeping when used for depression?
Yes. Trouble sleeping, also called insomnia, is a common side effect of Viibryd. In studies, it happened in 7 percent of people taking 20 milligrams and 6 percent of people taking 40 milligrams, compared with 2 percent of people taking a placebo.
On MyDepressionTeam, people share their experiences with depression, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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