Vilazodone Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Vilazodone Tablet (vilazodone hydrochloride) is a prescription antidepressant belonging to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin receptor partial agonists. It is used in adults to relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder. Vilazodone works by increasing serotonin activity in the brain to help regulate mood. It is taken once daily with food, and dosing is adjusted over time under medical supervision.

What is Vilazodone Tablet

Vilazodone is a prescription antidepressant tablet used in adults to relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Vilazodone Tablet uses

• Relieves symptoms of depression in adults, including sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in weight or appetite, changes in sleep, trouble concentrating, tiredness, and suicidal thoughts
• Treats major depressive disorder
• Helps improve mood
• May reduce loss of interest
• May improve energy and concentration
• Helps reduce other symptoms of depression

Benefits of Vilazodone Tablet

• Clinical studies showed improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo, as measured by standard depression rating scales
• Provides once-daily oral treatment
• Combines serotonin reuptake inhibition with 5-HT1A partial agonist activity
• May improve overall depressive symptoms
• Can help improve daily functioning when treatment is effective

How Vilazodone Tablet works

Vilazodone increases the activity of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood. It blocks the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and also partially activates certain serotonin receptors in the brain.

Vilazodone Tablet dosage

Always take vilazodone with food, since taking it on an empty stomach can make it less effective. Take it at around the same time every day. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking it without talking to your healthcare professional, and keep taking it as recommended since it takes time to start working. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, or skip it if it is almost time for the next one—do not take two doses at the same time.

Vilazodone is not approved for use in children or teenagers under 18 years of age. No dose change is generally needed for older adults based on age alone, but caution is advised due to other health conditions or medicines they may have.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets: 10 mg (pink)
• Tablets: 20 mg (orange)
• Tablets: 40 mg (blue)

Side effects of Vilazodone Tablet

Common

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Abnormal dreams
• Fatigue
• Restlessness

Serious

• Allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, trouble breathing
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially in people under 25 or when starting/changing dose
• Serotonin toxicity (serotonin syndrome): fever, sweating, confusion, agitation, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching or stiffness, loss of coordination, seizures
• Abnormal bleeding or bruising
• Mania or hypomania: elevated or irritable mood, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep
• Seizures or convulsions
• Angle-closure glaucoma or increased eye pressure: eye pain, vision changes, redness or swelling around the eye
• Low sodium levels (hyponatremia): headache, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness, can lead to falls
• Increased risk of bone fracture, especially in elderly patients
• Sexual dysfunction that may persist after stopping the medicine
• Sleep paralysis
• Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis): upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever

Warnings and precautions

• Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, particularly in children, teens, and young adults, especially when starting treatment or changing the dose. Watch for new or worsening depression, agitation, or unusual behavior changes.
• Do not take this medicine if you are taking or have recently taken (within 14 days) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as this combination can cause serious, sometimes fatal reactions.
• This medicine can cause serotonin toxicity (serotonin syndrome), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, especially when combined with other medicines that affect serotonin.
• Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms. Your dose should be lowered gradually under medical supervision.
• This medicine can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when combined with aspirin, NSAIDs, or blood thinners.
• This medicine may increase the risk of bone fractures, particularly in elderly patients or those with osteoporosis risk factors.
• This medicine can trigger an angle-closure glaucoma attack in people with narrow eye angles.
• Antidepressants may increase the risk of switching to a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder or a family history of it.
• The safety of vilazodone in human pregnancy has not been established. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits before taking it while pregnant, especially in the last three months, since it may cause complications in newborns.
• It isn't known if vilazodone passes into human breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide together whether to breastfeed while taking this medicine.
• No dose adjustment is usually needed for mild, moderate, or severe kidney impairment, but it should be used with caution in people with severe kidney impairment since they were not studied.
• No dose change is needed for mild or moderate liver impairment. Caution is needed in people with severe liver impairment since there is limited safety information.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it is not recommended with psychiatric medicines like this one.
• This medicine can make you feel sleepy or affect your ability to think clearly or react quickly. Wait until you know how it affects you before driving or using machinery.

Storage

• Store at controlled room temperature 15°C to 30°C
• Keep out of reach and sight of children
• Dispose of tablets in keeping with recommendations for disposal of pharmaceutical waste
• Use a medicine take-back program when possible; do not flush down the toilet

When to see a doctor

• Seek medical help right away if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself.
• Get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of serotonin toxicity such as fever, sweating, confusion, agitation, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching, or loss of coordination.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience eye pain, vision changes, or swelling/redness around the eye, as this could be a sign of angle-closure glaucoma.
• Call a poison control center or get emergency help right away if you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, even without symptoms.
• Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you notice new or worsened depression, agitation, hostility, impulsivity, or other behavior changes.

Alternatives

• Sertraline
• Escitalopram
• Fluoxetine