Vilazodone 40mg Tablet

Vilazodone 40 mg Tablets online

Vilazodone 40 mg tablets contain vilazodone hydrochloride, an antidepressant medication known by the brand name Viibryd in the United States. The medicine is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults under US prescribing information.

Vilazodone acts on serotonin signalling in the brain. It is described pharmacologically as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist. Its precise clinical mechanism for treating depression is not fully understood.

The 40 mg tablet is one of the available strengths. In US prescribing information, the recommended target dosage is 20 mg to 40 mg once daily with food. Treatment is normally started at a lower dose and increased gradually under the prescriber's direction. The 40 mg strength should not be treated as an automatic starting dose for a new patient.

Product Information

Vilazodone 40 mg vs. Viibryd

Viibryd is a brand name for vilazodone hydrochloride in the United States. Generic vilazodone contains the same active ingredient, but a particular generic product's authorization, formulation, manufacturer, and availability must be verified for its intended market.

Do not assume that all products labelled vilazodone are approved, interchangeable, or legally available in every country. Verify the exact product and applicable regulatory requirements.

How it works

Vilazodone affects serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood and other functions. It inhibits serotonin reuptake and acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor. These actions influence serotonin signalling, although the exact way they produce antidepressant effects is not fully established.

The prescribed dose and treatment duration depend on the patient's response, tolerability, medical history, and the clinician's assessment. Patients should not increase the dose or change the treatment schedule without medical advice.

In the United States, vilazodone is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Major depressive disorder can involve persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in sleep or appetite, reduced energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and other symptoms that affect everyday functioning.

A healthcare professional determines whether vilazodone is suitable after evaluating symptoms, medical history, current medicines, previous treatment, and relevant safety considerations. The indication and authorization may differ by country, so the local product information should be checked before describing the medicine as approved for a specific use in another market.

Vilazodone is not an immediate-relief medicine. Improvement may take several weeks, and follow-up is important to assess response and tolerability.

The prescribed dose must be determined by a qualified healthcare professional. Under US prescribing information, the recommended target dosage for adults is 20 mg to 40 mg once daily with food.

The US label describes gradual dose adjustment beginning with 10 mg once daily with food for 7 days, followed by 20 mg once daily. The dose may be increased to 40 mg once daily with food after a minimum of 7 days between dose increases, as directed by the prescriber.

Important administration points:

• Take vilazodone with food because taking it without food can substantially reduce the amount of medicine absorbed.
• Follow the prescription label and the clinician's dosing instructions.
• Take the medicine consistently at the prescribed time.
• Do not begin treatment at 40 mg or adjust the dose without professional guidance.
• If a dose is missed, follow the patient leaflet or ask a pharmacist; do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not stop treatment abruptly. A clinician may recommend gradual dose reduction to help limit discontinuation symptoms.

The dosing schedule above reflects US prescribing information and is not a personalized treatment recommendation.

Storage and Handling

Store the medicine according to the instructions on the specific product packaging and patient leaflet. Keep tablets in their original labelled container when appropriate, protect them from unsuitable storage conditions, and keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Do not use tablets beyond the expiry date.

Vilazodone can cause side effects. Those reported in clinical studies include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

Other adverse effects may occur. The likelihood and severity can vary from person to person, and the complete patient leaflet should be consulted for the product supplied in the relevant market.

Seek urgent medical attention for serious symptoms, including signs of serotonin syndrome, a severe allergic reaction, seizures, unusual bleeding, or a sudden worsening of mental health. Any new or worsening suicidal thoughts require immediate attention from a healthcare professional or emergency service.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours: Antidepressants carry a warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. Patients of all ages should be monitored for worsening depression, unusual behavioural changes, or emerging suicidal thoughts, particularly when treatment starts or the dose changes. US labelling does not approve Viibryd for paediatric use.

Serotonin syndrome: This potentially serious reaction can occur when medicines that affect serotonin are combined and may also occur with vilazodone alone. Symptoms can include agitation, confusion, sweating, fever, rapid heartbeat, tremor, muscle stiffness, or coordination problems. Seek urgent medical assessment if serotonin syndrome is suspected.

Bipolar disorder: Before starting an antidepressant, the prescriber should assess for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania. Antidepressant treatment may trigger a manic or hypomanic episode in susceptible patients.

Bleeding risk: Vilazodone may increase bleeding risk, particularly when taken with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiplatelet medicines, warfarin, or other anticoagulants.

Seizures: Patients with a seizure disorder or relevant risk factors require clinical assessment and monitoring.

Low sodium: Antidepressants can be associated with hyponatraemia, including cases related to SIADH. Older adults and people taking diuretics or otherwise at risk may need closer monitoring.

Discontinuation symptoms: Abruptly stopping treatment or reducing the dose too quickly can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, or unusual sensory sensations. Dose reduction should be planned with the prescriber.

Vilazodone Drug Interactions

Tell the prescribing clinician and pharmacist about all prescription medicines, non-prescription products, vitamins, and herbal supplements being used.

Important interaction groups include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Contraindicated with vilazodone under US labelling, including use within the specified washout period. The label requires at least 14 days between stopping an MAOI antidepressant and starting vilazodone; switching in the opposite direction also requires careful timing under medical supervision.
• Other serotonergic medicines: Other SSRIs or SNRIs, certain migraine medicines such as triptans, some opioids, amphetamines, lithium, and St John's wort can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Medicines that affect bleeding: Aspirin, NSAIDs, antiplatelet medicines, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may increase bleeding risk.
• Medicines that affect vilazodone metabolism: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers may change vilazodone exposure and require a prescriber's review and possible dose adjustment.

Do not start, stop, or combine medicines based only on product-page information. A pharmacist or prescriber should check the specific combination.