What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Buspirone and vilazodone
Vilazodone's FDA label of May 22, 2024 names buspirone in its drug interactions section; the buspirone label PlainMeds reads does not name vilazodone. The vilazodone label: “Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during VIIBRYD initiation. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of VIIBRYD and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs.”
Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the vilazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 2024, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).
What does the buspirone label say about vilazodone?
Buspirone's label (effective December 22, 2023) does not name vilazodone in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Buspirone Hydrochloride), Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., effective December 22, 2023 (SPL set a6bdf140-075e-445e-a62d-633a4b97f3a8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the vilazodone label say about buspirone?
Vilazodone label, drug interactionsConcomitant Drug Name or Drug Class: Other Serotonergic Drugs; Clinical Rationale: 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.; Clinical Recommendation: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during vilazodone hydrochloride initiation. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of vilazodone hydrochloride and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see Warnings and Precautions ()].
Vilazodone label, warnings and precautionsThe risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., MAOIs [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7 )].
Source: FDA drug label (Viibryd, NDA022567), Allergan, Inc., effective October 1, 2023 (SPL set 4c55ccfb-c4cf-11df-851a-0800200c9a66), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Vilazodone Hydrochloride), Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective May 22, 2024 (SPL set 3a4745a0-de23-4b40-923e-0d7dfe6b8634), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Buspirone | Vilazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Depression |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.043 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $0.732 per tablet 10 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once