This week’s Medication Monday is looking at Viibryd (Vilazodone), which is approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
Like other antidepressants, there is a danger for those who have bipolar disorder because the medication may cause mania. If you are concerned about possibly suffering from bipolar disorder instead of major depressive disorder, you should consult with your doctor.
There is also a danger when this medication is mixed with MAOIs. As such, it is important to tell your doctor if you have been on an MAOI within two weeks of starting Viibryd. There is also a slightly increased risk of serotonin syndrome if combined with other antidepressants, certain migraine medications known as “triptans,” some pain medications, and the antibiotic linezolid, all of which also act on a patient’s serotonin levels. Antibiotics may also increase the levels and effectiveness of Viibryd, as is also the case with antifungals, blood pressure medications, and HIV medications.
As with most mental health medications, Viibryd comes with certain side effects. Common ones include diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. In some situations, rarer side effects can occur. These include abnormal dreams, agitation, angle-closure glaucoma, blurry vision, dry eyes, decreased appetite, migraine headaches, increased urination, irregular heartbeat, night sweats, restlessness, sleepiness, tremor, sexual dysfunction, serotonin syndrome, and palpitations. If you have questions about any of these common or rare side effects, you should ask your doctor.
Despite the risks and side effects described above, your doctor or psychopharmacologist will have prescribed Viibryd because they believe it is the best medication for your depression. And as someone who is currently taking Lexipro for his depression, I can assure you that medication really can help, even if there are some not so awesome side effects.
If you have concerns about being on Viibryd, you should ask your doctor about them. You should not stop the medication on your own, because doing so can be dangerous and can cause irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or a tingling sensation.
As always, I remind readers that Medication Monday is not meant as a substitute for medical advice. I am not a doctor and do not intend these medications as medical advice. Rather, these posts are merely meant to familiarize readers with possible mental health medications while also hopefully destigmatizing the use of mental health medications. And as always, I thank you for reading.
Source: NAMI – Vilazodone (Viibryd)
The Dark Tales Project 
Interesting. I’d never heard of this medication before. Then again, I’ve been on the same med combo for years so never really had to look up alternatives.
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I’ve never heard of it either, but it is listed on several websites I use for my research as a possible antidepressant. And I figure putting the information out there couldn’t hurt since I’ve covered many of the more common medications. in earlier posts. Thanks for the comment!
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