Vilazodone
About Vilazodone
Vilazodone is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder (depression) in adults. It helps restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and support daily functioning. This medicine is designed for long-term management of depression symptoms and is not intended for short-term relief.
For this medicine to work effectively, you must take it consistently at the same time every day. You should always take Vilazodone with food, as taking it on an empty stomach significantly reduces how well your body absorbs it. Making positive lifestyle adjustments, such as incorporating regular physical activity and maintaining a balanced diet, can also help improve your overall treatment results.
While taking Vilazodone, you may experience mild, temporary side effects like nausea or diarrhoea, which typically improve as your body adjusts. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe mood changes, unusual bleeding, or signs of a serious allergic reaction. Always consult your healthcare provider if you experience any new or worsening symptoms during your treatment.
Before starting this medication, talk to your doctor if you have a history of seizures, bleeding problems, kidney or liver issues, or bipolar disorder. Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking, or have recently stopped taking, a class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
This medicine can interact with other drugs, including blood thinners, certain pain relievers, and other medications that affect serotonin, which can increase your risk of severe complications. You should also avoid drinking alcohol during your treatment. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure Vilazodone is safe for you.
Uses of Vilazodone
Medicinal Benefits
Vilazodone helps manage depression by restoring the balance of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. By improving emotional wellbeing and reducing associated anxiety symptoms, it supports better daily functioning and overall quality of life.
- Helps Relieve Symptoms of Depression: By improving the balance of brain chemicals involved in mood regulation, Vilazodone helps reduce persistent sadness, loss of interest, low energy, and difficulty concentrating.
- Reduces Anxiety and Improves Emotional Wellbeing: Vilazodone helps relieve anxiety symptoms that often accompany depression, promoting a calmer mood and making it easier to cope with everyday activities.
- Supports Better Sleep and Daily Functioning: By stabilising mood and improving emotional health, Vilazodone can help improve sleep quality, increase energy levels, and enable greater participation in work, social activities, and psychological therapy.
Directions for Use
- Vilazodone should be taken with food to enhance absorption and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
- It is advised to take Vilazodone once daily, at the same time each day, for best results, or as directed by your doctor.
- Swallow Vilazodone as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Vilazodone
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing
- New or worsening thoughts of hurting yourself, severe anxiety, panic attacks, or extreme changes in behaviour
- Unusual bleeding, easy bruising, or blood in your stool or vomit
- Signs of high serotonin levels, including a rapid heart rate, severe sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness, or confusion
- Seizures or severe dizziness
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Always take your dose with food; taking it on an empty stomach can cut the amount of medicine your body absorbs in half.
- Monitor your mood closely, especially when starting the medication or during a period of gradually increasing the dose, and report any sudden changes to your doctor immediately.
- Do not stop taking Vilazodone abruptly, as this can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, or dizziness.
- Inform your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before any scheduled surgeries or dental procedures, as it can affect how your blood clots.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects your alertness and reaction times.
Drug Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Do not take Vilazodone with MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping them. Doing so can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, which involves severe confusion, high blood pressure, and muscle rigidity.
- Blood Thinners and NSAIDs (such as aspirin, warfarin, or ibuprofen): Combining these medications with Vilazodone can significantly increase your risk of bruising and internal bleeding.
- Other Serotonergic Medications (such as other antidepressants, triptans, or tramadol): Using these together increases your risk of developing high serotonin levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may interact with Vilazodone and increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionVilazodone should be used in pregnant women only when clinically needed and if the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Vilazodone.
Breast Feeding
cautionVilazodone should be used in breastfeeding mothers when clinically needed and if the benefits outweigh the risks. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Vilazodone.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate heavy machinery as Vilazodone may affect alertness.
Liver
cautionVilazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionVilazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeVilazodone is not recommended in children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Incorporating specific, evidence-based habits can help support your treatment and manage potential side effects of Vilazodone:
- Always take with a meal: Establish a routine of taking your medication with a substantial breakfast or dinner to ensure your body absorbs the drug properly.
- Avoid alcohol: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can worsen depression, increase drowsiness, and interfere with the effectiveness of your treatment.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help manage common side effects like dry mouth or mild digestive upset.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to help manage potential sleep disturbances or insomnia.
Special Advise
Inform your doctor that you are taking Vilazodone if you are undergoing any medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depressive disorder: It is also known as clinical depression and consists of one or more major depressive episodes. A major depressive episode indicates a persistent (nearly every day for two weeks) depressed mood that can interfere with daily activities. The patient may experience at least 5 of the following nine symptoms during a major depressive episode: depressed mood, loss of interest in usual activities, a significant change in weight or appetite, increased or decreased sleep, agitation, increased fatigue, feeling of guilt, or worthlessness, impaired concentration, and suicidal thoughts or behaviour. The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, factors such as stress, changes in hormone levels, alcohol or drug abuse, abuse during childhood, certain medical conditions, and medications might increase the risk of developing depression.
FAQs
Vilazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder or clinical depression.
Vilazodone contains 'vilazodone' which is an antidepressant. It works by restoring the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone or chemical messenger in the brain responsible for improving energy, mood, and emotion levels.
Vilazodone may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia (sleeping problems). These side effects usually resolve without requiring any treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
In case you miss a dose of Vilazodone, do not take a double dose of Vilazodone. If you remember the missed dose before sleeping, take it at that time and take Vilazodone at the same time the next day, which were you taking earlier. If you remember the missed dose the next day, leave the skipped dose, and continue with the next dose.
Vilazodone cannot be used in epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment .Vilazodone may increase your risk of having a seizure.
No, Vilazodone is not a narcotic. It is an antidepressant medication that belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Yes, Vilazodone can help with anxiety. While it is primarily used to treat major depressive disorders, it has also been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Vilazodone is not approved for use in children and adolescents under 18 years old due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Before taking Vilazodone, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, seizures, bipolar disorder, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, or a history of alcohol or substance misuse. Also inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any other medicines, or have a personal or family history of suicidal thoughts or behaviour. This information helps your doctor determine whether Vilazodone is suitable for you.
Major Depressive Disorder, or clinical depression, is characterized by a persistent depressed mood that lasts nearly every day for two weeks, interfering with daily activities. Symptoms include feeling sad or hopeless, loss of interest in usual activities, weight/appetite changes, sleep disturbances, agitation, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, concentration problems, and suicidal thoughts/behavior, with at least five of these symptoms present.
Clinical studies indicate that Vilazodone has a relatively low effect on weight compared to some other antidepressants. While minor weight changes can occur, significant weight gain is uncommon. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience unexpected changes in your weight.
You should never stop taking Vilazodone suddenly. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, or irritability. Your doctor will help you by gradually decreasing the dose over time to stop the medicine safely.
No, you should always take Vilazodone with food. Taking it on an empty stomach reduces the amount of medicine your body absorbs by about half, which can make your treatment much less effective. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble taking it with meals.
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Vilazodone. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression, increase side effects like dizziness and sleepiness, and interfere with how the medication works in your brain. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about alcohol use.
Like many medications for depression, Vilazodone can cause sexual side effects, such as reduced sex drive or difficulty achieving orgasm. However, some evidence suggests it may have a lower risk of these side effects than older antidepressants. Talk to your doctor if you experience any sexual difficulties.
Taking Vilazodone during late pregnancy may increase the risk of complications in the newborn. However, untreated depression also carries risks for both parent and baby. Talk to your doctor to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of continuing or stopping this medication during pregnancy.
The most critical warning is to monitor yourself closely for any sudden changes in mood, behaviour, or thoughts of hurting yourself, especially when first starting the medicine or during a period of gradually increasing the dose. If you or your family members notice these changes, call your doctor right away.
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