Vilazodone (By mouth)

Introduction

Vilazodone (vil-AZ-oh-done)

Treats depression. This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Brand Name(s)

Viibryd, Viibryd Titration Pack

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using
• • St John's wort
  • buspirone (BuSpar®)
  • lithium (Eskalith®, Lithane®, Lithobid®)
  • tramadol (Ultram®)
  • tryptophan
  • other medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro?, Luvox®, Norpramin®, Paxil®, or Zoloft®)
  • medicine to treat headaches (such as eletriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, Imitrex®, Relpax®, or Zomig®)
• Tell your doctor if you are using erythromycin (Ery-tab®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), mephenytoin (Mesantoin®), a diuretic or "water pill" (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], furosemide, or Lasix®), pain or arthritis medicine, also called "NSAIDs" (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Aggression, anxiety, anger, or hostility
• Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness
• Fast or uneven heartbeat, or dizziness
• Feeling confused, nervous, restless, or clumsy
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Panic attacks, tremors, or feeling irritable
• Unusual behavior, or thoughts about hurting yourself
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision
• Change or loss of taste
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, or stomach upset
• Dry mouth
• Feeling tired, or having trouble sleeping
• Increased appetite
• Increased sweating
• Muscle or joint pain
• Problems with sex, or loss of interest in sex

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, low sodium in the blood, or a history of seizures or mania.
• For some teenagers and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
• This medicine may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)-like reactions when it is taken with certain medicines. Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines.
• If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop taking the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• After you stop using the medicine, call your doctor if you have mood or behavior changes, confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, tingling pain, or ringing in your ears.
• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) may occur with this medicine. Stop using the medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, difficulty concentrating, headaches, memory problems, weakness, and unsteadiness.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088