Two medicines, side by side
Vilazodone vs fluoxetine
Vilazodone and fluoxetine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of vilazodone since 2011 and of fluoxetine since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.732 per vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet and $0.0519 per fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the vilazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 2024); the fluoxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026).
Highlights of the vilazodone record
Vilazodone (Viibryd) · label of May 22, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsVilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 21, 2011
- Generic labelers
- 12 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.732 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the fluoxetine record
Fluoxetine (Prozac) · label of January 8, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPROZAC ® is indicated for the treatment of: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Acute and maintenance treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 58 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0519 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Vilazodone label of May 22, 2024, Fluoxetine label of January 8, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do vilazodone and fluoxetine differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Vilazodone, “The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS …”; Fluoxetine, “Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Vilazodone, “Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours.”; Fluoxetine, “Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: vilazodone since 2019; fluoxetine since 2001 (Drugs@FDA).
| Vilazodone | Fluoxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through selective inhibition of serotonin … | Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. | Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 21, 2011 | December 29, 1987 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 2019 | August 2, 2001 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 12 labelers | 58 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.732 per tablet (Vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet) | $0.0519 per capsule (Fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -20% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,170 | 131,827 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Vilazodone label, drug interactionsOther Serotonergic Drugs Concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride with other serotonergic drugs (including other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Fluoxetine label, warnings and precautionsSerotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including PROZAC, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to vilazodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions