Generic Name: Viibryd for Major Depressive Disorder (vilazodone)
Viibryd for Major Depressive Disorder Reviews
"Well, Viibryd. What to say, from looking at the general response, it either works amazingly or the side effects can be debilitating. As for my experience? This has been a wonderful drug. I have not had GeneSight testing (I wish I had) but have gone through the general ringer with the old-fashioned trial and error. No other SSRI/SNRI/DNRI/TCA has worked for me, but Viibryd has! I totally disagree that 20mg is the optimal dose, it’s all subjective. 20mg worked for me for 3 weeks, then completely pooped out. Now up to 40mg and two days in, and I feel great. So if it stops working and you feel it had worked prior, do not be afraid to increase after talking to your doctor versus stopping taking it. But yes, there are side effects - diarrhea (which went away) & headaches, increased RLS being the mainstay but tolerable. And my sex life has greatly improved on this drug. I give it a ten out of ten. FYI - I take Gabapentin for the RLS at night, which helped immensely. Good luck. Godspeed."
"I’ve been through countless medications - I have anxiety, panic attacks, MDD. They all made me sick, more anxious, panic attacks that felt like heart attacks, have aggressive behavior, bouts of OCD, RLS, feel like I was walking in a fog, etc. Viibryd has been tolerable. I don’t feel as depressed and overwhelmed to the point of feeling paralyzed. Only side effect is vivid nightmares, and really not helping with my anxiety/panic attacks. As long as I am still prescribed my Xanax, my whole life feels so much better. The Xanax helps with the panic and anxiety, but the depression was always lingering and interfering with my day to day life, and Viibryd is taking care of that. Thank goodness I finally found a doctor that listens!!! I would much rather deal with nightmares than the deep dark depression I’ve been in for years."
"Over the past 5 years, everyday was a struggle. I would wake up hoping everyday would be my last. I cannot even remember all of the antidepressants prescribed. Like almost all of the reviews, I too had diarrhea for about a week on Viibryd. However, I was coming out of my 'dark place' and continued taking as prescribed. I was given a starter pack that started with 10 mg for approximately 10 days, then increased to 20 mg per day, then 40 mg per day. After approximately 10 days, the diarrhea went away. Yes, I was feeling much better, out of the 'dark place,' and into a 'grey world.' My doctor then added Bupropion 150 mg per day. After 3 weeks of this combination, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Getting out of bed is no longer dreadful. I am motivated to actually get out of bed and the house. Because of the severity of my depression, I would be willing to endure almost any side effect(s). Thankfully, the only side effect I am currently experiencing is a desire to live."
"After 20 years of depression, numerous hospitalizations, and several antidepressants, I was finally given Viibryd. I have never felt so good in my life. This medicine has worked miracles for me. My family can’t believe how well I’m doing. My kids are literally in shock. For many years, I struggled with racing thoughts and anxiety. Now, I’m able to live a normal life. Between this medicine and many prayers, I am now living a normal, productive life."
"I’ve been on multiple meds over 20 years for depression that would work well, then eventually stopped helping. This medication has resolved my depression and anxiety. I had loose stools at first but it eventually stopped. No other side effects. I’m sorry to hear all of the side effects people are having. Each person has very individual responses to all meds and you won’t know until you try them. In the past, with different meds, I found if I waited a month, most side effects resolved. It’s been a lifesaver for me!"
"I have taken 20 mg of Viibryd for 4 years and it has been the single best antidepressant I have ever taken. I have taken Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. All of them caused major weight gain (especially Zoloft) and none of them continued to work after about 12-18 months. Viibryd saved my marriage; I am able to easily achieve orgasm. While the other medicines made me numb and interfered with my sleep, Viibryd has allowed me to feel, but also to cope. I am only writing this today because I may need to finally go up to 40 mg. But it worked like a charm for 4 years, even through incredibly intense, life-changing stressful events. This drug has been a lifesaver for me."
"I have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have seen and dealt with the worst things humans can do to one another. I've been on this medicine for weeks, and I'm finally seeing the light. This medicine, thus far, has saved my career so I can save others."
"I just want to say that after taking a lot of other antidepressant meds, this is THE ONE! Besides only having 1 side effect (diarrhea) that went away after 2 weeks, it's really changed my life!!! I recommend this to anyone who has tried other meds that have not worked."
"I have taken many antidepressants as an adult, and since I have been on this one, I have not been depressed. We all know what it feels like to not go on. I have no side effects. I feel healthy and normal. I wake up every day, no matter what struggles, and I have not felt 'down,' like depressing down, in over a year. I love it. I also take Klonopin for my anxiety on the side. I don't need as much though. Viibryd works wonders!"
"Have been on SSRIs since 1992. Then switched to SNRI Pristiq for 7 years, but it 'pooped out.' Tried Trintellix, Cymbalta for 6 months and was always falling asleep at my desk and absolutely knocked out all libido. Did a cross-switch to Viibryd, which is the best med so far. It's an SSRI, but it uses a different pathway, and I feel like myself again. Since there's no generic, it is expensive, but worth every penny. Libido is back! No more ED or need for Viagra at 65 years old. That certainly helps to feel 'whole' again. Did the cross-switch from Cymbalta to Viibryd, and it wasn't very difficult by slowly decreasing Cymbalta and gradually increasing Viibryd. Went from 10-20-30 with no problem. Just started 40mg, which is the recommended dose. Also, 25mg of Strattera was added for concentration (ADHD). Feeling great - results excellent."
"Viibryd has saved my life! I’ve tried every SSRI and SNRI antidepressant that’s out there since 1996, and NOTHING has ever helped me like Viibryd. I feel like myself before the feelings of depression ever started (1996), and it feels so darn good to feel like me again! I feel free as a bird and not trapped in a “brain fog” that controlled my feelings of GREAT sadness for absolutely no reason and robbed me of my joy. I have my energy back, and I love life again to where I look forward to getting out of bed every day. It’s so nice not feeling like you’re a prisoner to your bed. I used to pray so hard and wish I had just enough of what it takes to get out of the bed, take a shower, etc. To some people, it was pure laziness, but I know otherwise, and only those that have experienced what I’ve been through understand, and that’s okay! Some people judge what they don’t understand, and that’s human nature. I aspire to NOT be that kind of person every day, because no one is perfect."
"I have been on numerous antidepressants for 12 years, including combinations of Zoloft and Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Lexapro, Prozac, and many others. I also suffer from severe anxiety and have panic attacks. I used to have to take at least 2 antidepressants to keep my depression at bay, and it seemed they would only work for about 18-24 months before the combination stopped working. I began Viibryd right after it came on the market because I needed my sex life back. Both my psychiatrist and I were skeptical, but I have been on 20 mg Viibryd for 3 years now and have never felt better, happier, or more optimistic. I can have orgasms now, too! It has changed my life."
"I am a 28-year-old male. I was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism (Asperger's) when I was 19 and a couple of years later with Treatment-Resistant Unipolar Major Depressive Disorder. I've lost several jobs and did poorly in school due to severe social anxiety and poor attendance. I always wanted to be alone and just sit in my room. I had a couple of suicide attempts when I was younger. After trying many antidepressants, my psychiatrist tried me on Viibryd. I began feeling better at the beginning of the 3rd week of treatment, and soon my depression was almost nonexistent. I do have several odd side effects: Diarrhea, Dilated Pupils, Brain Zaps, twitching/talking in sleep, etc. But I am still better off than before."
"Viibryd has been life-changing for me! I am 54, menopause, severe depression most of my life that couldn't be controlled, sleeping all the time, several failed meds, very low energy levels. After just two weeks on Viibryd, my energy level is fantastic, my mood swings much better, and I am up at 7:00 AM most mornings and can go all day! I love it!"
"Love this medicine. Works very well for me. Am able to stay positive and happy throughout the day. Does not affect sex drive like other meds I've tried. There are side effects for me. If I miss a dose, I get brain zaps and feel lost and sad. So I take it right away when I feel that and just try to relax. Sleep is affected, I always do weird things in my sleep now, I don't stay still in my sleep, and a lot of sleep paralysis, but I still love this medicine, because I'd rather deal with those negatives at night than being severely depressed in the daytime. At least now I'm all smiles when I'm awake."
"In my experience with depression, it has been severely mentally painful. Prozac made me want to drink more, Lexapro took away my libido completely, which is even more depressing. I’ve tried Paxil, Wellbutrin, which simply made me feel high. Viibryd is not for everyone, trust me, it is a strong drug that works through our gut, which is where our happiness comes from. For me, however, it has been a miracle worker and has brought my all-time lows and pain to a point of motivation and ability to keep going no matter what. Not every day is a great day for me, just like everyone else. My life has become of purpose to a degree, and it’s the only antidepressant that does not affect my love life or overall physical state. The side effects and withdrawal if you miss a dose are scary and strong. I reap more benefits on it than off of it, however. Again, this strong medication and very expensive antidepressant is not for everyone, so don’t knock it if it did not work for you. Because it saved my life."
"My doctor started me on Viibryd after I decided I wanted to stop taking Trintellix because I couldn't deal with the side effects anymore (constant nausea, dysfunctional appetite, itchy skin). After 1.5 weeks, I've decided that Viibryd is not going to work for me either. It seemed to help with my depression, but it screwed up my sleep so much! About 3-4 hours after I'd take it, I'd be hit with this super drowsy/sleepy feeling and would start dozing off (even at work! Not ok). Some days, if I was able to, I'd just take a 2-hour nap when the sleepiness hit. But once that passed, I'd feel fine and awake again. Until I had to go to bed... The insomnia I experienced with Viibryd was no joke! I had to call in sick to work because I could not fall asleep, no matter what I did. And I knew I couldn't function at work on zero sleep. Very disappointing."
"I have been on a laundry list of other medications for major depressive disorder. Viibryd is the first one that has worked and actually saved me from myself! The only side effect I have every day is nausea, but I can deal with that because I finally feel normal and am able to cope with my depression, anxiety, and anger."
"I've been on Viibryd for a month, just finished my starter pack with dosages ranging from 10mg to 40mg. This is the best medicine out there for me. I'm on top of things, being diagnosed with anxiety, Major Depression, and ADD. I take numerous medications. This has been a lifesaver. Only side effects I've experienced are gas and diarrhea in the morning, I take mine at night to help with sleep since it makes me so groggy and fuzzy-minded. I've been on 20 different medications, and Viibryd has surpassed them all. I would recommend this to anyone with major depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder."
"I experienced some side effects in the beginning of taking this medication. I tried two others prior to this and they failed so when I got onto this, it helped me so much. I feel so much better and more energized than I have had in the past."
"I left Lexapro for Viibryd. The first few weeks were fine. After about 5 weeks on 40 mg, the terrible symptoms hit: insane irritability, hostility, anger, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. My doctor, with over 40 years of experience, told me not to even bother with a slow reduction. Just stop the medicine ASAP. He recommended taking 10 mg only if I felt withdrawal symptoms. This was destroying my life."
"Please be very careful if you’re considering the use of this medication. My husband has MDD and took it for two weeks and was nauseous and unable to sleep for much of the time. We were in contact with his doctor who said this can be common when starting this new medication and recommended he continue to take it. It looked like he was starting to feel better, but one morning he woke up not feeling well again and decided to stay home from work. He committed suicide. I wish so badly I would have stayed with him that day. Please do not take this medication if you don’t have somebody monitoring you closely. Or maybe just don’t even take it at all."
"Update: I've been on Viibryd 60 mg now for a year and a half. Things are still going great. The only downside is if I forget to take it, the symptoms are pretty horrible. I get itchy, paranoid, and cry uncontrollably. Currently, my medications for my anxiety and depression are Viibryd, Bupropion SR, and Lorazepam. This combo has been great for me. I hope everyone finds what's right for them."
"I switched from Effexor to Viibryd, and I was doing fine the few months or two. Then all hell broke loose. The last two months I was on Viibryd were absolutely horrid. Extreme irritability (usually for no reason), felt like I HAD to scream or I'd explode out of my body, constantly fidgety and restless, etc. My depression exhibits itself via my temper, so one of the most important reasons I take a depression med is to help with controlling that anger... Viibryd made it so much worse after the first few weeks."
"Prescribed only by psychiatrists, I was weaned off Zoloft 200 mg, Effexor 225 mg, and Amitriptyline 150 mg. I was put on Viibryd 40 mg on October 11. FDA approved in February '11. I was diagnosed with significant severe depression, severe anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder in February '01. Four months after being on Viibryd, my psychotherapist, who I had seen virtually weekly since March '01, said she could not believe the significant difference Viibryd had on me. Three years and four months later, I laugh frequently, my silly personality is back [I'm very young appearing and acting at age 61], I enjoy life, and I talk much more. I still have bad days, still have bad cries - yet what a difference! A miracle drug! I'm grateful!"
More about Viibryd (vilazodone)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (853)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: miscellaneous antidepressants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Viibryd drug information
- Viibryd Starter Pack
Professional resources
- Viibryd prescribing information
- Vilazodone (AHFS Monograph)
Related treatment guides
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Depression
