You may also be suffering from a little mental stress or depression these days. At such a time, your doctor may have prescribed you a medicine called Vilazodone (also known by the brand name Viibryd). This is also a medicine used to treat depression. But it has a little difference from other medicines. So today, let's talk about the most important things you need to know about this Vilazodone medicine.
What conditions does Vilazodone (Viibryd) treat?
This drug, called Vilazodone, is primarily prescribed as a treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) . This is what we commonly call "depression".
Also, sometimes doctors may prescribe this medicine for other conditions. For example:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar Depression
- Some chronic pain
- Hot flashes that occur with menopause
Although Vilazodone is not officially approved to treat these conditions, some patients have had good results with it, so doctors recommend it "off-label," meaning it is not officially approved for the condition, for the patient's benefit.
The most important thing is that this medication is only approved for adults . It is not given to children. Usually, doctors prescribe this medication to people who have not had successful results using another antidepressant .
How does this medicine work inside the body?
To understand this, we first need to know a little about serotonin in our brain. Simply put, serotonin is a chemical that controls many things in our brain , including our mood , happiness, and sleep. It is believed that people with depression have low levels of this serotonin.
What makes Vilazodone different from others is that it increases serotonin levels in two ways.
1. Acts as an SSRI: Vilazodone is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) . After serotonin is released, it is normally reabsorbed into nerve cells. But an SSRI stops it from being reabsorbed. This allows serotonin to stay in the brain longer, helping to improve our mood.
2. Acting as a 5-HT1A Partial Agonist: This drug also stimulates the receptors that receive serotonin messages. This further increases the activity of serotonin.
Because it increases serotonin levels in the brain in both ways , Vilazodone may be more effective for some people.
How is Vilazodone (Viibryd) used?
This medicine comes in the form of a tablet. The most important thing is that this tablet should always be taken with a meal. Take it with a glass of water after a meal.
Your doctor will usually start you on 10mg (milligrams) a day. After about 7 days of taking it, they will increase the dose to 20mg if necessary. Some people may need to increase the dose to 40mg. However, there should be at least a 7-day gap between each dose. This will all be as per your doctor's instructions.
How long does it take to get results?
This is a question that many people ask. After a week or two of starting the medication, you will notice that your appetite, sleep, and energy levels will improve a bit. This means that the medication is starting to work. However, it may take about 6 to 8 weeks for the depression to completely subside and for your interest in work to return. So please be patient and use the medication.
Very important: This medication should be used with caution, as should stopping it. Never stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause severe side effects (discontinuation syndrome) such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, headache, tingling sensations, and sweating. If you stop taking the medication, you should gradually reduce the dose. Your doctor will explain how to do this.
What are the side effects of this medicine?
Like other antidepressants, Vilazodone can cause side effects. Some are common, but some can be serious. Things like nausea and stomach upset will go away as your body gets used to the medication. But there are some symptoms that you should definitely tell your doctor about.
| Type of side effect | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Common Side Effects | |
| Digestive system problems | Diarrhea (bloating), nausea, vomiting. |
| Sleep problems | Insomnia or sleep disturbances. |
| Less Common Side Effects | |
| Sexual problems | Decreased sexual desire, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, delayed ejaculation. (However, this medication has fewer sexual side effects than other SSRI medications.) |
| Mania/Hypomania | If you have bipolar disorder, you may experience symptoms such as feeling high energy, reckless behavior, and rapid flow of thoughts. |
| Serious Side Effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Excessive serotonin in the body. Symptoms include agitation, hallucinations, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is an emergency. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, especially when you first start taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. If you have these thoughts, tell your doctor or someone close to you immediately. |
| Seizures | The risk is higher if you have had a seizure before or have epilepsy. |
| Abnormal bleeding | The risk is higher when taken with painkillers such as aspirin, NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Diclofenac), or other blood thinners. |
| Angle-Closure Glaucoma | Eye pain, blurred vision, seeing colored rings around lights. |
| Decreased sodium in the blood (Hyponatremia) | Headache, memory problems, confusion, unsteadiness when walking. In severe cases, loss of consciousness and seizures may occur. |
Warnings to be aware of when using Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Before starting this medication, be sure to tell your doctor about these things.
- Other medications you are taking: Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you are taking, especially aspirin, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), and other blood thinners.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Other medical conditions: Please inform us if you have bipolar disorder, epilepsy or seizures, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease.
- Grapefruit juice: Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice, as it may affect the effectiveness of this medication.
- MAOI medications: It is best not to use Vilazodone if you are taking another antidepressant called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) or have recently stopped taking it. Doctors recommend that you wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before starting this medication.
Take-Home Message
- Vilazodone (Viibryd) is a medication that treats major depressive disorder (MDD) and increases serotonin levels in the brain in two ways.
- This medicine should always be taken with a meal .
- It can take about 6-8 weeks to feel the full effects of the medication, so be patient and continue using it.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- Be aware of serious side effects such as serotonin syndrome, suicidal thoughts, and seizures. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you may have before starting the medication.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න