Vilazodone (generic and brand-name Viibryd®) is an antidepressant that was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder (in 2011.)
On this page, we present some basic information about this medication. Other articles on this website with more advanced information and tips related to this medication and/or related medications are linked to under Related Pages below.
FDA-approved indications
Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)
Pharmacological Effects
Vilazodone inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and is a partial agonist at serotonin 1A receptors.
Pharmacokinetics
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? Let’s pay attention to this—it 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 the 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/
Dosage and Administration
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 a 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
Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
Cost
As of June 2022, a patient paying out of pocket (without insurance) would pay about $110 for a one-month supply of either vilazodone 20 mg or 40 mg.
Important! Please refer to the full Prescribing Information (see link below) before prescribing this medication.
Related Pages
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
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