Prescription medication · SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist
vilazodone
Also sold as Viibryd. Vilazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 9,764
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 10
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 91% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $11.08
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
vilazodone (Viibryd) is a prescription SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist, reported less often than most tracked drugs (9,764 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 91% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
vilazodone (Viibryd) is a prescription SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist. Vilazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Vilazodone (Viibryd) is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It helps to improve your mood.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$11.08/unit
Generic Price
$0.97/unit
Generic Savings
91%
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Vilazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from vilazodone's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Vilazodone works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. It increases the amount of serotonin available. Serotonin helps to regulate mood and emotions.
How to Take It
Take vilazodone tablets once a day with food. Start with 10 mg each day for the first 7 days. Then, your doctor may increase your dose to 20 mg daily. After at least 7 days, the dose may be increased up to 40 mg daily.
This is a plain-language summary of vilazodone's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking vilazodone late in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. You can call 1-844-405-6185 to register.
This is a plain-language summary of vilazodone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
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 and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
This is a plain-language summary of vilazodone's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store vilazodone tablets at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 9,764 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for vilazodone, by number of reports
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea
808 reports
- Nausea
Nausea
808 reports
- Anxiety
Anxiety
662 reports
- Trouble sleeping
Trouble sleeping
634 reports
- Headache
Headache
565 reports
- Depression
Depression
522 reports
- Dizziness
Dizziness
508 reports
- Fatigue
Fatigue
491 reports
- Thoughts of suicide
Thoughts of suicide
436 reports
- Feeling strange
Feeling strange
421 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for vilazodone each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where vilazodone sits
vilazodone has more FDA adverse-event reports than 38% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is vilazodone; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 9,764 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2009–2025.
Total Reports
9,764
Reports Mentioning Death
328
3.4% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
1,195
Top Indication
Depression
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DIARRHOEA | 808 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 808 |
| 4 | ANXIETY | 662 |
| 5 | INSOMNIA | 634 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 565 |
| 8 | DEPRESSION | 522 |
| 9 | DIZZINESS | 508 |
| 10 | FATIGUE | 491 |
| 11 | SUICIDAL IDEATION | 436 |
| 12 | FEELING ABNORMAL | 421 |
| 13 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 307 |
| 14 | PARAESTHESIA | 303 |
| 15 | VOMITING | 287 |
| 16 | TREMOR | 281 |
| 17 | SOMNOLENCE | 278 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor should closely monitor you for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, especially when you first start taking this medicine or when your dose is changed. Vilazodone is not approved for use in children.
Known Drug Interactions
Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Contraindications (4), Dosage and Administration (2.3), and Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Mechanism: Both of these drugs increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. Taking them together can cause serotonin levels to become dangerously high, which can be life-threatening.
What to do: Do not take these two medications together. Your doctor will need to choose a different treatment to avoid a serious reaction.
Excessive reduction of blood glucose (additive effect) [See Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] ; CNS depressant agents (including opioids, alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics) Use with caution Increased CNS depression Dietary supplements containing sympathomimetics Contraindicated Antidepressants including but not limited to: • Other MAOIs (e.g., linezolid, intravenous methylene blue, selective MAOIs) • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) • Tricyclic antidepressants • Amoxapine, bupropion, maprotiline, nefazodone, trazodone,...
Mechanism: Both drugs increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to a dangerous and life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
What to do: Do not take these medications together. Your doctor will typically require a waiting period of at least 14 days when switching between them.
Table 3: Drugs that Can Increase the Risk of Bleeding Drug Class Specific Drugs Anticoagulants argatroban, dabigatran, bivalirudin, desirudin, heparin, lepirudin Antiplatelet Agents aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, ticlopidine Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents celecoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, sulindac Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline,...
Mechanism: Vilazodone is a type of antidepressant that can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners. This happens because the drug can interfere with the normal clotting process.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and under a doctor's supervision. Monitor yourself for signs of bleeding, such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin) The concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride tablets and strong CYP3A4 inducers decreased the exposure of vilazodone compared to the use of vilazodone hydrochloride tablets alone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Mechanism: Carbamazepine speeds up the process of your body breaking down vilazodone. This leads to lower levels of vilazodone in your system, which might make it less effective.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of vilazodone. Monitor for a decrease in the drug's effectiveness.
Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, voriconazole) The concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride tablets and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposure of vilazodone compared to the use of vilazodone hydrochloride tablets alone [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Mechanism: Clarithromycin slows down the liver enzymes that break down vilazodone. This causes the amount of vilazodone in your blood to rise, which could increase the risk of side effects.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of vilazodone. Watch closely for any new or worsening side effects.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I take this with other medications?
What should I do if I feel worse after starting this medication?
Can I stop taking this medication suddenly?
Does this medication have any effect on my ability to drive or operate machinery?
How long does it take for this medication to start working?
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?
What if I have bipolar disorder?
Can this medication cause sexual side effects?
What if I need surgery?
What if I accidentally take too much?
What are the common side effects of vilazodone?
Does vilazodone interact with other medications?
What drug class is vilazodone?
Is there a generic version of vilazodone?
Is vilazodone safe during pregnancy?
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for vilazodone
The FDA label for vilazodone (sold under brand names such as Viibryd) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist class. Vilazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 9,764 voluntary reports. The database also lists 10 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.97 versus $11.08 for the brand - a 91% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 30, 2023
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages