An antidepressant for depression
Vilazodone
An antidepressant used to treat depression, working on the brain chemical serotonin in two ways.
What is Vilazodone?
Vilazodone is an antidepressant used to treat depression. It works on the brain chemical serotonin both by increasing its levels (like an SSRI) and by acting on a particular serotonin receptor. It is taken by mouth with food, which helps it work properly. The most common side effects are diarrhoea and nausea. As with other antidepressants, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome if combined with certain medicines, withdrawal effects if it is stopped suddenly, and a need to watch closely for mood changes or suicidal thoughts, especially in younger people. It is largely a US product rather than a routine UK medicine.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Vilazodone — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Vilazodone is an antidepressant used to treat depression. It belongs to a group that raises levels of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood, in the way an SSRI does, while also acting directly on one of the serotonin receptors (it is a 5HT1A partial agonist). It is taken by mouth, and importantly it should be taken with food so the body absorbs enough of it. It is largely a United States product and is not a routine UK antidepressant, though the wider family of serotonin medicines it belongs to is widely used here.
How it works
Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps regulate mood. Vilazodone works in two ways: it blocks the reuptake of serotonin, so more is available between nerve cells (the way an SSRI works), and it also acts as a partial switch on a particular serotonin receptor. Together these actions are intended to lift mood over a few weeks. Like other antidepressants, the benefit builds gradually rather than immediately. Because it raises serotonin, combining it with other serotonin-boosting medicines can occasionally cause too much serotonin activity, known as serotonin syndrome.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
An antidepressant used mainly in the United States to treat depression, rather than a routine UK medicine.
What it treats
Conditions Vilazodone is used for
Practical use
How to take Vilazodone
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth with food, as taking it on an empty stomach means too little is absorbed to work well.
- Give it a few weeks to take full effect, and keep in touch with your prescriber, especially early on.
- Do not stop it suddenly; the dose should be reduced gradually with advice to avoid withdrawal effects.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as combining serotonin-raising medicines can be dangerous.
- Seek urgent advice if your mood worsens or you have agitation or thoughts of self-harm, especially in the first weeks.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Vilazodone
Advantages
- An effective option for treating depression by working on serotonin in two ways.
- Taken once a day by mouth.
- May suit some people who have not done well on other antidepressants.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes diarrhoea and nausea, particularly early on.
- Must be taken with food and stopped gradually, not suddenly.
- Largely a US product, so it is not a routine UK antidepressant.
Practical use
Good to know
A practical thing to know about vilazodone is that it should be taken with food, because taking it on an empty stomach means too little is absorbed for it to work properly. The most common side effects are diarrhoea and nausea, which often settle with time and are eased by taking it with food. As with all antidepressants, it usually takes a few weeks to feel the full benefit, so it is worth persevering and keeping in touch with your prescriber early on. Important safety points include the risk of serotonin syndrome if it is combined with other serotonin-raising medicines, withdrawal-type effects if it is stopped suddenly rather than reduced gradually, and the need to watch closely for any worsening mood, agitation or suicidal thoughts, especially in younger people in the first weeks. It is largely a US product rather than a routine UK choice.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to vilazodone should not take it.
- People taking, or who have recently taken, MAOI antidepressants, because of the risk of serotonin syndrome.
- It is used with care, and with close monitoring, in young people because of the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Monitoring
- Reviewing mood and watching closely for suicidal thoughts, especially in young people early in treatment.
- Checking how well depression is responding and whether side effects are tolerable.
- Reviewing other medicines for serotonin-related interactions.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea and nausea, especially in the first weeks.
- Difficulty sleeping, dizziness or dry mouth.
- Sexual side effects in some people.
- Rarely but seriously, serotonin syndrome, or worsening mood and suicidal thoughts, which need urgent attention.
Key interactions
- Other serotonin-raising medicines, including some painkillers and migraine medicines, can cause serotonin syndrome.
- MAOI antidepressants must not be combined with it.
- Some medicines change vilazodone levels, so tell your prescriber everything you take.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Vilazodone: frequently asked questions
What is vilazodone used for?
It is an antidepressant used to treat depression, working on the brain chemical serotonin both by raising its levels and by acting on a particular serotonin receptor.
Why must I take it with food?
Taking vilazodone on an empty stomach means too little is absorbed to work properly, so it should always be taken with food.
Why does it upset my stomach?
Diarrhoea and nausea are the most common side effects, especially early on; taking it with food and giving it time usually helps.
Can I stop it suddenly?
No. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal-type effects, so the dose should be reduced gradually with your prescriber's advice.
Is it used in the UK?
It is largely a United States product rather than a routine UK antidepressant, although the wider family of serotonin medicines is widely used here.
The wider class
About Antidepressant (SSRI plus 5HT1A partial agonist)
Vilazodone belongs to the antidepressant (ssri plus 5ht1a partial agonist) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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