Vilazodone

Generic name: Vilazodone
Drug class: Miscellaneous antidepressants

Usage of Vilazodone

Vilazodone is an antidepressant that is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

Vilazodone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Vilazodone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Vilazodone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a seizure (convulsions);

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or

low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of vilazodone may include:

nausea, vomiting;

diarrhea; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vilazodone

Do not use vilazodone if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

After you stop taking vilazodone, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with vilazodone could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver or kidney disease;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

narrow-angle glaucoma;

seizures or epilepsy;

bipolar disorder (manic depression);

sexual problems;

drug addiction or suicidal thoughts; or

if you drink alcohol.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking vilazodone during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop vilazodone without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of vilazodone on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Vilazodone

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day for 7 days, followed by 20 mg orally once a day for an additional 7 daysMaintenance dose: 40 mg orally once a dayComment: This drug should be taken with food.Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Warnings

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Vilazodone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Do not stop using vilazodone without first asking your doctor.

What other drugs will affect Vilazodone

Using vilazodone with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect vilazodone, especially:

any other antidepressants;

mephenytoin;

St. John's wort;

tramadol;

a diuretic or "water pill";

medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness such as schizophrenia;

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

migraine headache medicine--sumatriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt, Treximet, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect vilazodone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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