vilazodone
Brand names: Viibryd
Vilazodone (Viibryd) is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It helps to improve your mood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Storage
Store vilazodone tablets at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,719 FDA adverse event reports.
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
Death-Related Reports
328
Hospitalization Reports
1,195
Top Indication
Depression
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF LABEL USE | 1,111 |
| 2 | DIARRHOEA | 808 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 808 |
| 4 | ANXIETY | 662 |
| 5 | INSOMNIA | 634 |
| 6 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 610 |
| 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 |
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, v...
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, venlafa...
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.
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?
Related Medications in SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist
Other drugs grouped near vilazodone — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with vilazodone →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with vilazodone →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with vilazodone →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with vilazodone →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with vilazodone →
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
Related Health & Safety Data
🩺 Find a Doctor
Search prescribers for SSRI / 5-HT1A Partial Agonist
🏨 Hospital Quality
CMS hospital ratings, safety scores & patient outcomes
💊 Supplement Data
NIH DSLD — check supplement ingredients & label claims
🍽️ Food Safety Alerts
FDA recalls, inspections & outbreak investigations
⚠️ Product Recalls
FDA, CPSC & NHTSA recall search
💉 Procedure Costs
Medicare procedure pricing for 9,297 procedures
Save on vilazodone
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
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 6,719 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.
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