Vilazodone (Viibryd®) is an antidepressant that was approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in 2011. Here is basic information about this medication.
Note: This page and its related pages contain the full text of the chapter on Vilazodone (Viibryd®) in my book, The Latest Antidepressants. This webpage will always have the most up-to-date version of that chapter.
Pharmacological Effects
Vilazodone inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and is a partial agonist at serotonin 1A receptors.
FDA-approved indications
Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)
Dosage
Initial: 10 mg once daily with food
Titrate: Increase to 20 mg once daily, 7 days after the initial dose. If necessary and tolerated, further increase with minimum of 7 days between dosage increases.
Recommended: 20 to 40 mg once daily with food
Maximum: 40 mg once daily
Important:
1. Dosage reduction is needed in severe hepatic impairment.
2. If vilazodone is taken with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g. some HIV antivirals, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, etc.), its maximum dose should be reduced to 20 mg/day.
3. Similarly, if vilazodone is given with a strong CYP3A4 inducer (e.g., carbamazepine, barbiturates, etc.), its maximum dose may need to be increased up to 80 mg/day.
Should I reduce the dose for patients who are older, who have renal impairment, or who have liver impairment?
Usually no, unless the liver impairment is severe.
Dosage forms and strengths
Tablet: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
You can write for a Viibryd® Starter Kit. It contains 30 pills but 7 are 10 mg, 7 are 20 mg, and 16 are 40 mg.
What is the half-life of vilazodone?
The half-life of vilazodone is 24 hours, which is why it is not provided in an extended-release form.
Does it matter whether a patient takes vilazodone with food or not?
Pay attention – this is important! The bioavailability of vilazodone increases by about 50% when taken with food, so it is important to tell patients that they MUST take vilazodone with food. (In order to reduce risk of nausea, I like to say: take it immediately after a meal.)
By the way, what are other psychiatric drugs that also must be taken with food, not because they cause nausea, but because their absorption is much less if taken without food? For the answer, see https://simpleandpractical.com/psychiatric-medications-and-food/
What is the dose of vilazodone?
Vilazodone is available in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg strengths. The usual dose is 10 mg/day for 7 days, then 20 mg/day for 7 days, then 40 mg/day.
How much does vilazodone cost?
In May 2016, a patient paying out of pocket (without insurance) would pay about $257 for a one-month supply of either vilazodone 20 mg or 40 mg.
Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.
Related Pages (For subscribers only)
Vilazodone (Viibryd®): Efficacy
Vilazodone (Viibryd®): Pharmacological Effects
Vilazodone (Viibryd®): Drug Interactions
Vilazodone (Viibryd®): Adverse Effects
Podcast: 14 Key questions about vilazodone (Viibryd®)
Antidepressants: Index and Links
Psychopharmacology: Index and Links
References
Vilazodone (Viibryd®): An organized list of references
Copyright 2015, Rajnish Mago, MD. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons, or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified health care professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.
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