- Used to treat severe depression
- Also used to treat anxiety
Viibryd is the brand name for the generic drug Vilazodone which was first developed by Merck Germany and is marketed by Clinical Data. The tablets are available in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg and are oval. The tablets are film coated and are immediate release. The 10 mg one is pink, the 20 mg one is orange and the 40 mg one is blue.
Indications
Viibryd is mainly used to treat major depression disorder and while it will not cure the problem, it does ease some of the symptoms of the condition. One of them is learning to enjoy again certain things and activities that the person could not while he was untreated for depression.
Action
The drug Vilazodone is an SSRI or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and while it is still not clear exactly how it acts, it is believed that its action in the central nervous system as an inhibitor and an antagonist makes for a better mood for the patient.
Side Effects
There are some side effects that accompany this drug for some people – some mild, some more severe. Any side effect must be reported to the doctor immediately. There could be problems of insomnia, restlessness, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety and impulsiveness. There have been cases of dry mouth and tremors as well as abnormal dreams. Some patients complain of a funny taste in the mouth, of grinding their teeth, of increased bleeding and urination, of cataracts forming and of low sodium levels in the blood. There could also be more serious effects like hostility, abnormal bleeding, worsening depression or suicidal tendencies. There have been instances of seizures and the desire to self-inflict hurt.
Caution
The doctor must be told about your full family history, any allergies that you might have, any conditions or ailments you are suffering from and what medications, vitamins and supplements you are taking. He must know the full extent of your depression – whether you have had suicidal tendencies, any other mental problem you might have, what medications you have taken in the past and whether you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. If you have ever had side effects with any medication, you should let him know.
Contraindications
There are some drugs that this drug could have a violent reaction with and you must inform your doctor if you have been prescribed any other medication. Viibryd should not be used with any MAOI or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. In fact, these should not be taken for at least fourteen days after stopping Viibryd. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid this drug because not enough evidence exists that it is safe for babies. It is also not advisable to be prescribed for children or for older people. Patients below twenty four tend to find that their symptoms worsen before they get better when they begin taking this drug. They need to be carefully watched because they could suffer from suicidal tendencies. This puts the onus firmly on the care givers at this point of the medication being taken because it is so important to keep an eagle eye on the patients to make sure they are safe.