Viibryd (vilazodone) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed to treat major depressive disorder in adults. As with other drugs, Viibryd can cause side effects, such as nausea, headache, and diarrhea.

Viibryd has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Viibryd can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Viibryd in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Viibryd use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Viibryd include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Viibryd and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Viibryd may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Viibryd, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

Note: Viibryd has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years or younger. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Viibryd can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Viibryd, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Viibryd may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Are the side effects of Viibryd different from other SSRIs?

The side effects of Viibryd and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are very similar. They can commonly cause fatigue, insomnia, and gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea.

Weight gain is another mild side effect they share. Some studies suggest that the risk of weight gain may be lower with Viibryd compared with other SSRIs. However, additional studies are needed to confirm this.

Sexual problems are a possible side effect of both Viibryd and other SSRIs. According to a recent review of vilazodone (Viibryd’s active ingredient), some studies suggest that this side effect may be less likely with Viibryd. However, more studies directly comparing Viibryd with other SSRIs are needed to know for certain.

Viibryd and other SSRIs also can cause serious side effects, such as serotonin syndrome and low sodium levels. In addition, both Viibryd and SSRIs have a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. For details about this warning, refer to the “Side effect specifics” section.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information on how Viibryd compares with other SSRIs.

Are the side effects of Viibryd different depending on the tablet strength?

No, the side effects of different-strength oral tablets are similar. Viibryd comes in three strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, and 40 mg. In clinical trials of Viibryd, there were no major differences in side effects of doses of 20 mg and 40 mg.

Doctors typically only prescribe the 10-mg dose for the first week of treatment. A difference in side effects between this starting dose and higher doses hasn’t been reported.

If you have concerns about possible side effects from taking a higher dose of Viibryd, talk with your doctor. To learn more about the recommended dosages of Viibryd, refer to this article.

Does Viibryd cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that can start at any time during treatment or those that don’t go away, even after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Some side effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding or sexual problems, may continue as long as you’re taking Viibryd. However, these side effects should go away after you stop taking the medication. To learn more, refer to the sections about Viibryd’s mild and serious side effects.

If you have any questions about possible long-term effects of Viibryd, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take for the side effects of Viibryd to go away?

More common side effects of Viibryd, such as nausea and diarrhea, are typically mild. They may go away on their own within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the drug. But some side effects, such as sexual problems or bleeding, may continue as long as you’re taking Viibryd.

Talk with your doctor if you have side effects that bother you or don’t go away. They’ll check your symptoms and determine whether Viibryd is the right treatment option for you.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Viibryd may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Viibryd.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Viibryd has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years or younger. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

People ages 24 years and younger who take antidepressants, such as Viibryd, have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts. Adults ages 25 years and older who take antidepressants do not have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.

People taking Viibryd in clinical trials did not report suicidal thoughts. However, there have been rare reports of this side effect after the drug became available. Note that Viibryd is only approved for use in adults ages 18 years and older to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). (This condition is also known as depression.)

Some warning signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior may include:

  • depression or anxiety that’s getting worse
  • feeling trapped or hopeless
  • withdrawing from family or friends
  • changes in sleep
  • anger or agitation
  • thoughts of harming yourself

While antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults ages 24 years or younger, certain conditions can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts in people of any age taking Viibryd. These include MDD or a history of depression, bipolar disorder, or suicidal thoughts. The risk is higher during the first few months of Viibryd treatment and after any dosage changes.

What you can do

Your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It’s important that your friends and family are also aware of the signs. If you or a loved one notices any warning signs listed above, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll help address these side effects and determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking Viibryd.

Discontinuation syndrome

A sudden decrease in dosage or discontinuation of Viibryd can lead to discontinuation syndrome, which is also called withdrawal syndrome. Viibryd isn’t addictive. But treatment with Viibryd causes an increase in a chemical in your brain called serotonin. A sudden change in dosage can cause your serotonin levels to fall, causing withdrawal symptoms. It’s not known how often this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms are usually mild but can last for weeks. Some symptoms of discontinuation syndrome may include:

What you can do

It’s important that you take Viibryd every day as prescribed, even if you feel like it’s not working at first. Viibryd starts working after your first dose. But it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to feel a change in depression symptoms. For some people, significant and stable improvement of depression may take several months.

If you feel you need to stop taking Viibryd, talk with your doctor first. They can recommend a plan to slowly decrease your dosage to help prevent symptoms of discontinuation syndrome.

Conversely, your doctor can also help if it seems like you need a higher dosage of Viibryd. To learn about Viibryd’s recommended dosages, see this article. When taking Viibryd, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Viibryd.

Viibryd has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Viibryd, discuss your health history with your doctor. Viibryd may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

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.