What is Vilazodone?
The antidepressant Vilazodone can be used to treat major depressive disorder.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Vilazodone.
Vilazodone side effects
If you experience any of the following: skin itching, hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, then seek emergency medical attention.
You should tell your doctor if any symptoms worsen or change, including changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, or trouble sleeping. Also, you may feel more irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, or restless.
Vilazodone may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- A seizure (convulsions);
- Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, swelling, or seeing halos around lights are all symptoms of blurred vision.
- Easy bruising and unusual bleeding
- If you experience racing thoughts, increased risk-taking, reduced inhibitions, extreme feelings of happiness or sadness, or decreased inhibitions,
- Low levels of sodium can cause headaches, confusion, slurred words, severe weakness, a lack of coordination, and feeling unsteady.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include: hallucinations and agitation; fever, sweating, or shivering; rapid heartbeat; muscle stiffness or twitching; and loss of coordination.
Side effects of vilazodone include:
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Diarrhea
- Sleep problems (insomnia).
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Sertraline, Trazadone, Lexapro, Zoloft, Citalopram, Cymbalta, and Wellbutrin
Warnings
At first, when first starting an antidepressant medication, some young people may experience suicidal thoughts and may become suicidal. Be aware of any changes in your mood or symptoms. Inform your doctor if you experience any new symptoms or if they worsen.
Vilazodone should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.You should not stop taking vilazodone before consulting your doctor.
Before you take this drug
If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take vilazodone. Harmful drug interactions may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine injection, methylene blue injection, tranylcypromine, and others.You must wait 14 days after stopping vilazodone before taking maois.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being taken, such as stimulant medicines, opioids, herbal remedies, or medication for mental illness or Parkinson’s disease. A serious condition known as serotonin syndrome can be caused by an interaction with vilazodone.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Liver or kidney disease
- A bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- Narrow-angle glaucoma;
- Seizures or epilepsy;
- Bipolar disorder
- Sexual problems
- Drug addiction or thoughts of suicide
- If you are a heavy drinker of alcohol,
Some young people starting an antidepressant may experience suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant for the first time. Regular visits to your doctor are a good way for you and your doctor to monitor the progress of your treatment. You or your family members should be aware of any changes in mood or symptoms.
It is not safe to stop taking vilazodone if you are pregnant. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping vilazodone.You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of the drug on the child.Ask your doctor if you can safely breastfeed while taking this medication.No one under 18 may use this product.
How to take Vilazodone?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed.Take with foodyou may experience symptoms that persist for several weeks.If you notice any changes in your sexual function (such as a loss of interest in sex or difficulty having an orgasm), or if men experience problems with erections, ejaculation, or both, tell your doctor. Certain sexual problems are treatable.
If you suddenly stop taking vilazodone, you may experience unpleasant symptoms, such as agitation or confusion, tingling, or electric shock sensations. Before stopping the medication, consult your doctor.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for depression:
Initial dose: orally, 10 mg once daily for 7 days. Then 20 mg once daily for another 7 days.
Maintenance dose: 40 mg orally, once daily.
Take this drug with food.
Use: Treatment for major depression disorder (MDD).
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A vilazodone overdose can be fatal.
What should be avoided?
Alcohol consumption while taking vilazodone may cause adverse effects.
Ask your doctor if you should take a nonsteroidal inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Taking an NSAID along with vilazodone can cause you to bleed or bruise easily.Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.
Interaction with other drug
This effect can be worsened by taking vilazodone along with other drugs that make you sleepy. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pill, muscle relaxant or medication for anxiety or seizures without consulting with your physician first, seek advice.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Especially:
- Any other antidepressants?
- Mephenytoin;
- John's Wort;
- Tramadol;
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Medicine to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or anxiety disorders;
- A blood thinner: warfarin Coumadin Jantoven
- Migraine headache medicine--sumatriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt and Treximet among others--can provide effective relief.
The list of drugs that may interact with vilazodone is not exhaustive. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
