Key points
- Major depressive disorder in adults is the one FDA-approved use.
- The label says taking it without food can leave too little medicine in the body and may reduce how well it works.
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and trouble sleeping are the most commonly reported side effects.
- The boxed warning covers suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults, and it is not approved for anyone under 18.
- It should not be stopped suddenly: talk with your prescriber first.
What vilazodone is
Vilazodone combines two actions in one medicine. The label describes it as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is also a partial agonist at a serotonin receptor called 5-HT1A. MedlinePlus places it in a class called serotonin modulators. The brand name is Viibryd, and generic tablets are also sold.
What it is approved for
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label lists one use: major depressive disorder in adults. It is not approved for children and teens.
Anxiety and PTSD are not on the label. MedlinePlus says it may be prescribed for other uses and to ask a doctor or pharmacist.
How it is thought to work
The label says the way vilazodone works is not fully understood. It is thought to relate to raising serotonin activity by selectively blocking reuptake. It also partly activates 5-HT1A receptors, but the label says the net result of that action, and its role in the antidepressant effect, are unknown. So the label does not say what the second action adds.
What taking vilazodone can be like
Food is the practical detail that sets this medicine apart. The label says it is taken with food. Without food, the amount absorbed can drop substantially, leaving too little in the body and possibly making it less effective. If irregular meals are part of your life, mention that to your prescriber.
Stomach effects are the ones most often reported, so tell your prescriber if they do not settle or make it hard to keep eating normally. MedlinePlus says it may take several weeks to feel the full benefit, and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that finding the right medicine can take several tries.
MedlinePlus says vilazodone can make you drowsy, so avoid driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you. It also says alcohol can make side effects worse.
Do not stop vilazodone suddenly or without talking to your prescriber. The label lists nausea, sweating, irritability, agitation, dizziness and electric shock sensations among symptoms after stopping, particularly abruptly. MedlinePlus says your doctor will usually lower the dose gradually.
Side effects and warnings
Boxed warning: antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults in short-term studies. Everyone taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for worsening and for new suicidal thoughts. MedlinePlus says the risk may be more likely in the first few months and when a dose goes up. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services, and our crisis resources page lists other options.
Dangerous combinations: the label says vilazodone must not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including linezolid and intravenous methylene blue, or within 14 days of stopping one, because of serotonin syndrome. Other medicines raise serotonin syndrome risk too, including triptans, tramadol and St. John's wort. Certain antifungals and antibiotics, such as itraconazole, clarithromycin and voriconazole, can change how your body handles it, so share your full list.
The most commonly reported side effects on the label are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and trouble sleeping. MedlinePlus also lists sexual problems, and the label warns of them too.
- Serotonin syndrome: agitation, fast heartbeat, high temperature, loss of coordination and vomiting need urgent care.
- Bleeding: the risk rises with aspirin, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, other blood-thinning medicines or warfarin.
- Low sodium: headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion or unsteadiness should be reported.
- Also on the label: mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder, seizures, angle-closure glaucoma, and sexual problems such as delayed ejaculation, lower sex drive and erection problems.
Can vilazodone be managed online in Pennsylvania and New York
The label says Viibryd is not a controlled substance, and it describes no certified setting or restricted program. Most of what follow-up visits cover, such as mood, side effects and how meals fit with your medicine, can be talked through by video.
A licensed psychiatrist on our team, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), treats depression online by secure video, for people physically located in Pennsylvania or New York during each visit. Whether it is an option for you is a decision for you and your prescriber. Ask us whether our psychiatrist can help. Our guide to how antidepressants work gives more background.
Our therapists do not prescribe. They see clients in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado and Florida, not New York, so a New York reader can get psychiatry here but not therapy here. Ask us about fees and coverage.
Common questions
Why do I need to take vilazodone with food?
The label says vilazodone is taken with food because absorption drops substantially on an empty stomach, which can leave too little medicine in the body and may reduce how well it works. If you are skipping meals or often not eating, tell your prescriber and pharmacist, so you can talk through a practical way to manage it.
Is vilazodone an SSRI?
Partly. The label describes vilazodone as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is also a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, and MedlinePlus calls it a serotonin modulator. The label says the role of that second action in its effect is unknown, so it should not be read as making the medicine better or worse than others.
Should I tell my prescriber if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, and do not stop vilazodone on your own because of it. Your prescriber can go over what the label says about your situation. Share every medicine and supplement you take as well, since some can interact with vilazodone.
Sources
Published by Locascio Wellness. Published November 5, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Kenneth M. Levy, DO, Psychiatrist (Pennsylvania license OS007464L). This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.