Viibryd interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Introduction

Viibryd (vilazodone) is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat major depressive disorder. As with other medications, Viibryd can interact with alcohol and certain other drugs. It can also interact with some supplements. An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

For details about Viibryd’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information about Viibryd, see this article.

When to avoid Viibryd

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Viibryd due to a risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindication of Viibryd is:

Taking drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressants. Taking Viibryd with an MAOI can increase your risk of developing serotonin syndrome. This syndrome can occur when there is a high level of a chemical called serotonin in your body. Serotonin syndrome can lead to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, and changes in blood pressure. In some instances, serotonin syndrome can be life threatening.

Due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, doctors typically will not prescribe Viibryd with an MAOI. They’ll typically have you wait at least 14 days after you’ve stopped taking an MAOI before you start treatment with Viibryd. Similarly, after you stop taking Viibryd, your doctor will likely have you wait at least 14 days before you start treatment with an MAOI.

Examples of MAOIs that can interact with Viibryd include:

• isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• selegiline (Emsam)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• methylene blue (ProvayBlue)
• phenelzine (Nardil)

Before you start treatment with Viibryd, it’s important to tell your doctor if you take an MAOI. They can also help identify whether any of your medications are MAOIs. Your doctor can also help determine whether to prescribe Viibryd.

Viibryd interaction with alcohol

You may be wondering whether you can drink alcohol while taking Viibryd. The manufacturer of Viibryd recommends that you avoid consuming alcohol while taking the drug. This is because alcohol can worsen certain side effects* of Viibryd, such as drowsiness and dizziness.

If you have questions about alcohol and Viibryd, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about Viibryd’s side effects, see this article.

Viibryd interactions with other medications

Before you start treatment with Viibryd, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Viibryd interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Viibryd and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you or what you cannot take with Viibryd, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend whether Viibryd is safe to take with certain medications.

Here’s a chart of drugs that can interact with Viibryd. Keep in mind that this chart doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Viibryd. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

* For details about this interaction, see the “When to avoid Viibryd” section above.
† To learn more about Viibryd’s side effects, see this article.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Viibryd.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a type of pain reliever. They’re also used to treat inflammation and reduce fever.

Interaction result. Taking Viibryd with an NSAID can increase your risk of bleeding. Bleeding is a side effect of Viibryd and NSAIDs.

Interaction explained. Viibryd is an antidepressant. The drug affects a chemical in your body called serotonin. This chemical helps platelets (a type of red blood cell) group together to form blood clots. By affecting serotonin, Viibryd can prevent platelets from forming blood clots. This may increase your risk of bleeding if your blood can’t clot correctly.

Bleeding is also a possible side effect of NSAIDs. When Viibryd is taken with an NSAID, the risk of bleeding with either drug is even higher.

Examples of NSAID drugs. Here are some NSAIDs that may interact with Viibryd:

• aspirin
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• meloxicam (Anjeso, Mobic)
• celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb)

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before you start treatment with Viibryd, tell your doctor if you take any NSAIDs. They can also help identify whether any of your medications are NSAIDs. Your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to take an NSAID in combination with Viibryd.

Keep in mind that certain NSAIDs are available without a prescription. If you’d like to take an NSAID or other over-the-counter pain reliever, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first. They can advise you on which pain reliever you can take with Viibryd. For example, it’s likely safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) with Viibryd.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a drug class used to treat panic disorders, anxiety, and seizures.

Interaction result. Taking Viibryd with a benzodiazepine can increase your risk of certain side effects from either drug. Examples of these side effects include dizziness and sleepiness. (To learn more about Viibryd’s side effects, see this article.)

Interaction explained. Viibryd and benzodiazepines may cause dizziness and sleepiness as side effects. Your risk of having these side effects may increase when these medications are taken together.

Examples of benzodiazepine drugs. Here are some benzodiazepines that may interact with Viibryd:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• diazepam (Valium)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• oxazepam

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before taking Viibryd, tell your doctor if you already take a benzodiazepine. They can also help identify whether any of your medications are benzodiazepines. Your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe to take Viibryd with these medications.

If your doctor does prescribe Viibryd with a benzodiazepine, watch for extreme sleepiness or dizziness. If you have these side effects, your doctor can tell you how to manage them. In some cases, they may switch you from Viibryd to a different treatment that isn’t expected to worsen these side effects.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are a type of stimulant drug. They’re often used to help treat conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Interaction result. Taking Viibryd with an amphetamine can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome as a side effect of either drug. (To learn more about Viibryd’s side effects, see this article.)

Interaction explained. Viibryd and amphetamines can increase the level of a chemical in the body called serotonin. When these medications are taken together, your serotonin level may increase even further. A very high level of serotonin could lead to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include changes in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and hallucinations. This syndrome can be life threatening in some cases.

Examples of amphetamine drugs. Here are some amphetamines that may interact with Viibryd:

• amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR)
• methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before starting Viibryd treatment, tell your doctor if you’re taking an amphetamine. They can also help identify whether any of your medications are amphetamines. Your doctor can advise you on whether it’s safe for you to take these medications together.

If your doctor does prescribe Viibryd with an amphetamine, watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Your doctor will instruct you on how to manage this side effect if it happens.

Viibryd and other interactions

Viibryd may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Viibryd.

Viibryd interactions with supplements

Before you start treatment with Viibryd, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Viibryd interactions with herbs

Viibryd may interact with the herbal supplement St. John’s wort, which is often used to help treat depression. Taking Viibryd with this supplement may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. This condition can occur when there is a high level of the chemical serotonin in your body. (Serotonin is thought to regulate mood.)

It’s not advised to take St. John’s wort with Viibryd. Your doctor may be able to suggest a treatment option other than St. John’s wort.

It’s important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplements in combination with Viibryd.

Viibryd and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Viibryd. However, it’s possible that interactions with vitamins could be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Viibryd.

Viibryd and food

There were no reports of food interactions with Viibryd. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Viibryd, talk with your doctor.

Viibryd and vaccines

Vaccines have not been reported to interact with Viibryd. For more information about getting certain vaccines during Viibryd treatment, talk with your doctor.

Viibryd and lab tests

No lab tests have been reported to interact with Viibryd. To learn more about having certain lab tests during treatment with Viibryd, talk with your doctor.

VIIBRYD INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Viibryd. Taking Viibryd with cannabis or cannabis products may increase the risk of side effects with Viibryd.

Before you start treatment with Viibryd, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level. However, it is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Viibryd and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Viibryd. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Viibryd may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Viibryd include:

• Being younger than age 24 years. Viibryd has an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly in children and adults younger than age 24 years. Viibryd has a boxed warning about this risk. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “Boxed warning” at the beginning of this article.
• Narrow eye angles. Before taking Viibryd, tell your doctor if you have narrow eye angles. Viibryd may dilate your pupils, which could lead to closed-angle glaucoma in people with narrow eye angles. Closed-angle glaucoma can cause vision loss and severe eye pain. This condition is a medical emergency. Your doctor may suggest that you have an eye exam to check for narrow angles before starting treatment with Viibryd.
• Low sodium levels. If you have a low sodium level in your blood, tell your doctor before starting Viibryd treatment. The drug may lower your sodium level even further. Your doctor can advise you on whether Viibryd is a safe treatment option for you.
• Seizures. Before taking Viibryd, tell your doctor if you have seizures. This includes seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. Your risk of seizures as a side effect of Viibryd may be higher if you already have seizures. Your doctor can recommend whether Viibryd is a safe treatment option for you.
• Bleeding problems. Viibryd may cause bleeding as a side effect. Your risk of bleeding with Viibryd may be higher if you have a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia. Before starting treatment with Viibryd, tell your doctor if you have any known bleeding problems. They can help determine whether Viibryd is safe for you to take.
• Mental health conditions. Before taking Viibryd, tell your doctor if you or a family member have certain mental health conditions. Examples include bipolar disorder, mania, and hypomania. These factors may increase your risk of certain mental health side effects with Viibryd. To learn more about your risk of these side effects, talk with your doctor.
• Pregnancy. It’s not known whether Viibryd is safe to take while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before you take the medication. For details about Viibryd’s use during pregnancy, see this article.
• Breastfeeding. It’s not known whether Viibryd passes into breast milk or whether the drug causes side effects in a child who is breastfed. For more information about taking Viibryd while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.
• Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Viibryd or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Viibryd. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

FAQs about Viibryd and interactions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Viibryd and possible interactions.

Is there an interaction between Viibryd and Wellbutrin SR or XL?

There’s no known interaction between Viibryd and bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL). In this section, “Wellbutrin” refers to either of these drugs.

In fact, doctors may prescribe Viibryd in combination with Wellbutrin in certain situations. Both drugs are antidepressants that are used to treat depression. Because these medications work differently in the body, Viibryd and Wellbutrin can work together to treat depression.

To learn about taking Viibryd in combination with Wellbutrin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Viibryd interact with stimulating drugs?

Viibryd does interact with certain stimulating (also known as stimulant) drugs. Viibryd itself is an antidepressant rather than a stimulant medication.

Stimulant medications activate your central nervous system, which helps regulate breathing, thinking, actions, and more. These drugs are often used to treat conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Specifically, Viibryd interacts with amphetamines, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR). For details about this interaction, see the “Drug interactions in depth” section above.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Viibryd. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Viibryd label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions. (If Viibryd doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy.) If you have questions about this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Viibryd by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Other resources

Besides learning about interactions, you may want to find out more about Viibryd. These resources might help:

• Overview of Viibryd. For a general overview of Viibryd, you can see this article.
• Side effects. If you’re interested in the side effects of Viibryd, see this article. Another option is to refer to the Viibryd prescribing information.
• Drug comparison. Learn how Viibryd compares with Lexapro.
• Facts about mental health. To learn more about your condition, see our depression and mental health hubs.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.