Key takeaways:
Viibryd (vilazodone) is an antidepressant medication for adults. It comes as an oral tablet that’s taken once daily with food.
The typical starting Viibryd dosage is 10 mg once daily for 7 days. From there, the dosage can be increased every 7 days up to a maximum dosage of 40 mg per day. Most people take 20 mg to 40 mg of Viibryd once daily.
Viibryd is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
If you've been prescribed Viibryd (vilazodone) for depression, learning more about it can help you get the most from your medication. Let's explore the recommended Viibryd dosages and what to do if you miss a dose. Remember, always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team when taking Viibryd, even if they’re different from what’s described below.
Viibryd is FDA-approved to treat depression in adults; however, it’s not approved for children. In most cases, you’ll start with a lower Viibryd dosage and slowly increase it up to the recommended dose. This gives your body time to get used to the medication.
Viibryd comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg oral tablets. It also comes in Patient Starter Kits that contain multiple doses to make it easier to keep track of your medication as your dosage increases.
The recommended Viibryd dosage is 20 mg to 40 mg once daily with food. You’ll likely start taking 10 mg once daily for 7 days before raising the dose to 20 mg daily. After you’ve taken 20 mg daily for 7 days, your prescriber may raise your dose to 40 mg daily based on how you respond to the medication.
You can take Viibryd at any time of the day. But insomnia is a common side effect, so taking it in the morning with breakfast may help prevent this.
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You don’t need a different Viibryd dosage if you have liver or kidney problems. But some drug interactions can affect your recommended dose.
Some medications raise Viibryd levels in the body. Examples include clarithromycin (Biaxin XL) and itraconazole (Sporanox). You shouldn’t take more than 20 mg of Viibryd daily if you’re taking one of these other medications.
In addition, some medications can lower Viibryd levels in the body. Examples include carbamazepine (Tegretol), rifampin, and phenytoin (Dilantin). You may need to take up to 80 mg of Viibryd daily if you’re taking it with one of these medications.
Review your medication list with your prescriber before you start taking Viibryd. They can check for any interactions that may change your recommended dosage.
If you miss a dose of Viibryd, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
If you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare team. They can help you get back on track. You can also try a medication reminder app to help you remember to take your medication.
If you accidentally take an extra dose of Viibryd, it’s unlikely to lead to serious problems. You may have more side effects than usual, including diarrhea, nausea, and insomnia.
But a large amount of Viibryd can be dangerous. It can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, and seizures. Hallucinations are also possible.
If you or a loved one take too much Viibryd, contact your prescriber right away or reach out to Poison Control online or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. If you have any of the symptoms described above, seek emergency care right away.
There are many ways to save on Viibryd, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Viibryd’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $34.00 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $15 for a 30- or 90-day supply of brand-name Viibryd using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Viibryd’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.
Viibryd (vilazodone) is an oral medication that treats depression in adults. In most cases, the starting Viibryd dosage is 10 mg once a day with food for 7 days. Then you’ll increase the dose to 20 mg once daily with food. From there, your prescriber can raise the dose to 40 mg after 7 days if needed.
You may need a different dosage of Viibryd if you take medications that interact with it. Your prescriber will work with you to determine the best Viibryd dosage for you based on your medication list and how you respond to it.
Allergan, Inc. (2023). Viibryd- vilazodone hydrochloride tablet [package insert].
Cruz, M. P. (2012). Vilazodone HCl (Viibryd): A serotonin partial agonist and reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. (2020). Vilazodone. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Vilazodone.
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