Has anyone else experienced RAPID weight gain on Viibryd?
Question posted by daseniura on 1 May 2013
Last updated on 4 August 2023
My doctor started me on Viibryd about a month ago after I'd been on Lexapro for years and it had stopped working as well. I did the standard step-up dosage pattern with the starter pack... started at 10mg and was up to 40mg by the 3rd week. I should mention that I am anorexic and bulimic and my doctor is well aware of this, and when he told me about this new Viibryd medication I adamantly stated that I CANNOT be on anything that causes weight gain. (I also take 450mg of Wellbutrin XL and have been for several years now.) So he promised me that Viibryd doesn't cause weight gain and I agreed to start taking it. A couple of years ago, I lost a ton of weight (110 pounds) through diet and tons of exercise and managed to stay at about 100-105 pounds for a good 6 months, even AFTER I stopped exercising completely.
Well, suddenly I started gaining weight rapidly about a month ago, and so I freaked out and started going to the gym again and working out hardcore (which I know produces results because that's how I've lost weight and kept it off in the past) and immediately changed my eating habits. Yet I'm still steadily gaining weight at an alarming rate and the only explanation I have for it is that it's the Viibryd. I know it's not normal to exercise hardcore, eat healthy, and STILL gain weight. I now weigh 120 pounds and the number has just steadily climbed up since I started Viibryd. I don't understand this at all. I weigh myself everyday and monitor every single thing I eat. I track my caloric intake religiously and I know exactly how many calories I've burned during my workouts, and nothing can account for this weight gain other than the medication. If anything, I should be LOSING weight since I just went from sitting on my butt all day to an hour of cardio a day, but this is not the case. In the 3 weeks since I started working out hardcore, I've gained 5 pounds (no, it's not from fat converting to muscle). I think Viibryd needs to be tested more and an updated report of side effects needs to be published. No amount of depression in the world is worse than weight gain for me, so it's ironic that an anti-depressant is causing me to want to kill myself due to a side effect that seems to be a lot more common than the pharmaceutical companies would have you believe. I'm going to stop taking the Viibryd as of today and I don't care what my doctor has to say. I'm hoping I'll be able to take off the 10 pounds I've gained in the month since I started Viibryd once I stop taking it. I'll make sure to post an update to this thread once I've tapered myself off to let everyone know if anything changes. I'm just really upset because I was led to believe this medication wouldn't cause any weight issues. I've also had an increased craving for sweets, but I haven't given in to it because I know what sweets do. I'm also incredibly bloated since starting the Viibryd. Has anyone else had similar experiences with weight gain and this medicine and past eating disorders?
Yes! I have gained over 20 pounds over the last year that I have been taking 20 mg of ViiBryd. I can relate to all of you that I thought it was other things going on my life. My doctor put me on ViiBryd because it is one of few that does not have sexual side effects. I find that I am particularly drawn to sweets but that just might be my personality.
Votes: +1
CA
Candiijack
6 July 2014
I don't care what any pharmaceutical company, doctor or psychiatrist says. I have kept a detailed food diary for several months and was losing a pound a month on 1400 calories per day cycling 55 mins 5 days per week going an average 7 - 8 miles per hour. I am 5 '1" tall and WAS 130 lbs and steadily LOSING weight. After starting vibriiyd, after only 3 weeks, with NO changes, I went up to 142 lbs and from size 4 to size 10.
Votes: +1
LU
lunani08
11 June 2014
Yes. I am 23. I'm 5'5". My normal weight had always been 120-123. once i got on Viibryd in less than a few months i was 145. and my eating habits had not changed. if anything, I was healthier i was working out more. I am working on getting off it but the withdrawal symptoms are horrible as well. so i'm going to speak to my doctor that and tell her that i can't continue on this drug any longer. because no matter what i do the weight just doesn't come off.
Votes: +1
MI
mimalo
30 Oct 2016
same! were you able to loose the weight?
NA
nancy285
6 June 2014
I have also read the full prescribing information that states that Viibryd does not cause weight gain. But I am here to tell people otherwise. I have gained weight rapidly with Viibryd just as it seems others have on this site. It's really quite distressing. Weight gain can cause just as much depression as any other issue. It really should have been addressed in the initial chemical make up of this drug. Very disappointing.
Votes: +2
MU
MummyJj
4 Feb 2014
I started on Viibryd 4 months ago. I have gained 30 lbs. I have been trying to figure out why. I feel like a swelled up balloon. I have never gained weight like this before in my life. And it just dawned on me yesterday that the thing that had changed was viibryd. I too had been told that viibryd couldn't be the cause. But the facts are what they are. I am weaning off this stuff ASAP. I willing take my chances with depression. But I don't want to depressed and overweight. Thank all for speaking up here!!
Votes: +2
LE
lennongurl
9 Nov 2013
Yes, I think you will see on here and other sites where people talk about their experience with Viibryd that weight gain and rapid weight gain is a side effect. Why it keeps being reported by the company as not causing weight gain is beyond me. I think it's only to get more people to try it. My psychiatrist told me it could cause weight gain but I was not expecting to gain 25 lbs in two months! I've been off Viibryd for almost a year now and have finally gotten back to my weight before I started Viibryd. Good luck!
Votes: +2
RA
RandoFatGuy
9 Nov 2013
Thank you all! I have finally figured out the cause of my amazing weight gain!!! As is the case with many other people who have tried Viibryd, I experienced a severe rapid weight gain (more than 70 lbs in just a few months) but because I was told that Viibryd is "weight-neutral", I blamed that gain on the many other factors in my life which could have caused it which include a tendency to be lazy and overeat, love of ice cream and other sweets, binge/nighttime eater, and just the quality I possess of being a "bigger guy." I finally realize that there is a problem with Viibryd. Never was it even questioned that the Viibryd was the cause just because we all (me, my psych, and my therapist) understood that Viibryd did not cause weight gain.But my experience is so similar to the other responses that it cannot be a coincidence.
Votes: +2
KK
kkratzke
23 Oct 2014
This drug is dangerous! I am just starting to read all of the comments about weight gain, tingling, brain zaps, insomnia!! I have gained. 25% of my body weight in 4 months! I think we need to start a class action law suit. ANYBODY READY TO DO THAT! I AM IN MINNESOTA!
VI
vibing it
9 Nov 2013
I am really pleased to find this thread, and I hope to see more such threads on the internet spreading awareness of this under reported side effect.
I too have gained rapid weight on viibryd. Approx 20kgs. I weighed about 57 kgs before starting viibryd in August 2012 and now a little over one year later I weigh 73 kgs. I gained the weight within the first 4- 5 months. Very upsetting. I am 29 years old and all my life I have weighed under 60kgs, even when I have been eating loads and not exercising the max my weight ever went to (before viibryd) was about 60kgs.
I refused to believe it was the medication because the official research clearly states that it is not a common side effect, but it just can't be a coincidence that I was practicing the same eating habits and then suddenly gained weight AFTER starting this medication.
Much love to all.
Votes: +4
RO
RonMan
9 Nov 2013
I grabbed the latest weight study data:
Weight
Viibryd had no effect on body weight as measured by the mean change from baseline in the 8-week, placebo-controlled studies. The mean changes in weight were +0.16 kg in the Viibryd group and +0.18 kg in the placebo group. The proportions of patients with a weight gain ≥ 7% were 0.9% in the Viibryd group and 1.2% in the placebo group. The proportions of patients with a weight decrease ≥ 7% were 1.4% in the Viibryd group and 1.4% in the placebo group.
The dosage was 40 mg.
I hope that helps.
RonMan
VI
vibing it
9 Nov 2013
Hi Ron Man, thanks for the info - its interesting that this study is only 8 weeks long - and i wonder if during that eight weeks there was one week of 10 followed by one week of 20 and then 40… the weight gain took over 8 weeks to happen in my case. so perhaps the research doesn't follow the drug through long enough to really find out about weight gain…. have you (or has anyone else) read any articles that follow the drug for longer than 8 weeks?
RO
RonMan
10 Nov 2013
In the study referenced, the dosage was 40 mg for the entire 8 weeks.
RonMan
VI
vibing it
10 Nov 2013
Ron man you are on top of things! Thank you :) So are there studies that follow the drug longer than eight weeks? Thanks again.
RO
RonMan
10 Nov 2013
I have found no studies longer than 8 weeks. If any are published, I will add them to this thread.
-RonMan
VI
vibing it
11 Nov 2013
Ron Man, thank you.
I have an apt with doc tomorrow and am thinking to ask for sertraline, do you think that one is less likely to cause weight gain? i trust your wisdom (and thorough evidenced based answers).
ps viibryd is the first antidepressant i ever used and it was great mood wise.
RO
RonMan
11 Nov 2013
I feel that it would be in appropriate for me to make a drug recommendation, particularly of one I have never taken. Talk to your doctor in detail about your concerns and let s/he make the decisions they are more trained to make that I am.
-RonMan
SM
Smith0503
29 June 2019
During the first 30 days it can mess with your intestines so that you might actually lose weight. 4 weeks later when you are up to full dose the Study would be over. My weight gain happened quickly in the past 7 weeks since I’ve been at 40 mg.
I had the uncontrollable weight gain as well. I've never had problems with my weight all my life. It's always been consistent - I never like sweets, EVER! but since taking Viibryd, I had this uncontrollable urge and cravings to eat sweets lots of it too. Within 7 months of taking this medication, I have gained 20 lbs despite the excessive training and amount of time spent at the gym (being a bikini competitor). I ended up dropping out of the contest because of the weight gain. No matter how hard I worked out, the scale wouldn't budge. I decided to taper off (under doctor's supervision) Viibryd due to other side effects I was having. Today is my last dose and then I'm done. What's strange is that after I came off from 40 mg to 20 mg, I've noticed the decrease appetite right awa, craving for sweets had also diminished and that's when I realized that the correlation between my weight gain and viibryd. I'm staying away from this drug!
Votes: +7
TH
thesun2013
30 July 2013
Normally not recommended to prescribe Wellbutrin to anyone suffering from from Anorexia/Bulemia, especially not in such a high dosage! With 450 mg being the maximum recommended dosage daily, in order to avoid the risk of seizure. This risk is greatly increased when patient is anorexic and/or bulemic. You may want to search Wellbutrin in this site and review the Major Drug Interactions section, for further info.
Votes: +2
CO
Colorsofhappy
3 July 2013
In May I was 105lbs when I started on Viibryd which was recommended by my PCP. With no changes in my eating habits, lifestyle, or medications now at the beginning of July I am at 141lbs. My weight has been steady for years and has not been an issue in the past.
After speaking with a Psychiatrist I'm currently weaning off Viibryd. They said they've had quite a few patients come in where the PCP has given them a sample pack and prescribed Viibryd. The pharmaceutical reps are showering Drs offices with starter packs and saying (as the "clinical study") Viibryd does not cause weight gain or have sexual side effects. Many of these patients also experienced unexplained weight gain.
I have experienced more energy and less anxiety while taking Viibryd. However, the side effects for me are horrendous. It's not worth becoming overweight and causing additional medical issues. I wish I could loose 35-some lbs as quickly as gained it.
Votes: +3
AT
atticabob
4 July 2013
I, on the other hand, have not had any problems with abnormal weight gain. My weight ranges from 225-235 lbs, and has been in this range for 25-30 years. The side effects haven't been too bad - maybe due to my size - so the Viibryd's working great for me, doing what it's supposed to do. I WILL say, though, that I've never had side-effect problems with any other meds, so when I started on the Viibryd it was a bit of a shock to my system! I can see why others may want to get off this med, but it IS working very well for me!
4N
4N Substances
3 May 2013
Hello daseniura, Thank you for your informative post. I would appreciate any follow up information you can bring to the group. Together with RonMan's research, I think we may actually be a bit ahead of the learning curve about the a certain % of individuals who are so effected by Viibryd. Best Regards, 4N Substances
Votes: +4
DA
daseniura
3 May 2013
I am more than happy to share my updated experience with Viibryd. FYI, the bloating continued on the Viibryd at 40mg and I started to feel like my skin was actually pulling (like a balloon filled with too much water). I know it's not wise to "cut back" a medication without first consulting your physician, but the reality is that I don't currently have health insurance so I am forced to pay out-of-pocket to see my psychiatrist of 9 years. Fortunately, it's only $75. Moreover, I had to make the "educated guess" decision to cut the Viibryd back because it was the only variable that had changed with my medication and lifestyle in the last 3 years. The result?? I cut myself back from 40mg to 10mg and within SIX days, I was down from 120 pounds to 113, and the weight has stayed off, and the extreme bloating subsided. It did not coincide with my monthly cycles or anything, either (in case any of you were wondering).
When I was at 40mg of Viibryd, my ankles were as swollen as a pregnant woman. Even my socks were digging into my skin!! It was the most uncomfortable feeling EVER.
I'd also like to add that I am not discounting what the "clinical trials" have revealed; I just believe that perhaps they should have been conducted more thoroughly or for a longer period of time. I am not a chemist nor a physician, but I AM a 32 year old woman who knows her body and detects even the slightest deviation from the norm very quickly. I guess it's a commonality with women aged 30 and above. In other words, when something is wrong, alarms go off all over the place!! Anyway, I just can't seem to ignore the fact that I am not the only one to have this adverse reaction to this new medication, despite the findings of the "trials." I have been on an SSRI of some sort (Prozac, then Lexapro) as well as Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal for years now, so I know how my body reacts to them. I guess I felt as if the Lexapro wasn't as effective as it was originally, so my doctor decided to change it up. In retrospect, I guess I should've maybe ridden out the winter instead of tampering with a "cocktail" that has worked for me for years.
LE
Les70
1 Aug 2015
I just read this and feel compelled to comment. I am going through the exact same problem with Viibryd. The first few months, no weight gain, 2 years later 18lbs. I am very body conscious and well aware of what I put in and burn off. After aggressively exercising and dieting, I have found that I CAN NOT LOOSE WEIGHT. The 18lbs will not budge!!! I'm currently tapering down from 40 mg and would like to eventually get to 10mg. Your comments have resounded with my situation, so thanks for sharing and following-up. Yes, they lack studies on Viibryd, especially longer than a year.
ME
MedicineB
27 April 2018
I also gained 10 lbs within 2 mos on Viibryd. After month 1, I tapered myself down from the starter pack dose to 10 mg/ day and noticed an immediate improvement in bloating and carb cravings. And my weight has begun to descend to normal.
KB
Kbonnot
10 Aug 2018
daseniura I have also gained weight on Viibryd. I only went to 20mg... never went ask the way to 40 because my doc said the 40 my dose didn't seem to help anymore more than the 20 did. Even on the 20 though I've gained 7 lbs in 4 months and that's after cutting out all soda, drink much more water (I used to drink none) and hardly ever eating junk food. I once cut back to 10mg and immediately lost 3 lbs but then started feeling like I needed the 29 again and after taking 20mg for 2DAYS I gained back there 3lbs plus!!! It helps me with the depression but I don't think the weight gain is worth it.
Viibryd had no effect on body weight as measured by the mean change from baseline in the 8-week, placebo-controlled studies. The mean changes in weight were +0.16 kg in the Viibryd group and +0.18 kg in the placebo group. The proportions of patients with a weight gain ≥ 7% were 0.9% in the Viibryd group and 1.2% in the placebo group. The proportions of patients with a weight decrease ≥ 7% were 1.4% in the Viibryd group and 1.4% in the placebo group."
Please note that Viibryd contains a stronger norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor than Wellbutrin as well as an SSRI. Wellbutrin is a weak norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This additional 450 mg of an norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor may be causing an interaction.
Also, Wellbutrin has a strong indication for weight loss a dosages above 400 mg (19%). It would seem that adding Viibryd has negated the weight loss effects of that much Wellbutrin.
Please see your doctor and have him/her look at the details of the interactions of these two drugs. Normally Viibryd is not used at the same time as Wellbutrin. I was taken off Wellbutrin when I started Viibryd.
As always, your milage will vary.
Regards,
RonMan
Votes: +4
IN
Inactive
1 May 2013
Hello Ron,
It would certainly be helpful if you could so knidly reveal your source for "The Clinical Data", thanks.
All the best,
RO
RonMan
1 May 2013
The data come from the professional side of this site, drugs.com and the drug study that are referenced there. I did the same for Wellbutrin. Both study areas are public. The 'n' numbers are low for Viibryd, total ~6,000, but the weight studies are only n<300. This is the major problem with the Viibryd studies, there have not been enough participants. The drug was not rushed to market, but more research still needs to be done, especially long term studies. It has only been on the market since spring of 2011.
The Wellbutrin 'n' numbers are many times higher as the drug is now generic and the generic studies, though harder to find, are available.
If you need me to track those down again, I can find them, but that will take as much time as it did the first time as I did not bookmark anything.
Let me know how you would like me to proceed.
RonMan
IN
Inactive
2 May 2013
Thank you Ron.
RO
RonMan
3 May 2013
Note: I have simplified the chemistry in my last comment. The SNRI portion is much more complicated than I have presented.
Additionally, I have found two very good papers that I am now digesting that may shed some light on the weight gain side of Viibryd. In short, one says there might be a problem, while the other is clear that there is no problem. Both mention interactions with traditional SNRIs, so the issue specific to this question may be addressed once I get through all the chemistry. Please give me through the weekend.
What bothers me is that there have been no additional papers published sine 2011. The 'n' numbers are still small.
RonMan
DA
daseniura
3 May 2013
RonMan, thank you so much for the info!!! I had no idea that the Wellbutrin XL could be affecting the Viibryd.I guess I assumed they worked in tandem. I really appreciate that you took the time to share! I'm seeing my doctor next week. Maybe I'll just go back to the ol' reliable SSRI Lexparo. Thoughts?
RO
RonMan
4 May 2013
I am not completely through the papers yet (there are 3 and a poster from a major conference), but this one thing is VERY clear, Viibryd is only recommended for Major Depression. Anything less than that the primary SSRIs should be used first. It is considered a secondary indication.
As I read through the details, this is beginning to make sense. In Major Depression your serotonin levels are extremely low. Viibryd brings those up much more steeply, and holds them there, than Lexpro, Zolft, etc.; the more common SSRIs. All SSRIs 'can' cause weight gain; however, if your serotonin levels are not low enough I suspect that Viibryd may cause appetite issues or sucrose metabolism problems. One of the studies does present some data that I have not looked at as yet.
Now, what I just said it totally speculative and I have a lot of research to do. Once I have a theory, I will have to test it by contacting the authors and proposing it to them. From there I hope I can get them to look at the blood work from the original trials and perhaps confirm what I believe. If not, then I will propose the same to the manufacture. Please understand that I don't have a working theory at this time, just speculation.
RonMan
RO
RonMan
6 May 2013
Update - I did not get through all the papers this weekend. They are very dense; however there is one thing that is VERY clear, Viibryd is only indicated for Major Depression. This is the reason for the low 'n' numbers. The only participants in the studies had Major Depression.
I will update as I understand more. Note that I am reading scientific papers, and I am not a doctor. Conclusions I make are based on my understanding of statistics, chemistry, and a 40 year history of major depression. I was a triple major in physics, math and chemistry for while until I just got the physics degree. I also have a Master's degree in Space Physics.
I just wanted to be clear.
RonMan
DA
daseniura
6 May 2013
Hello RonMan, Thank you for the update! You have no idea how helpful your speculations and research have been (doctor or not!), and how they have helped to shed a little light on this extremely "gray" area, it seems! (No pun intended... haha.) My next question is, can you tell me what constitutes "Major Depression," and the parameters that separate it from "average depression," I suppose?? I'm referring to factors such as the degree to which the depression affects daily activities and functioning, as well as the chemical difference in serotonin and norepenephrine levels. I'm going to see my psychiatrist on Wednesday, and the big question on the table is going to be "Shall I stay on Viibryd, or just stop it and go back to Lexapro?" Keep in mind that I'm on 450mg of Wellbutrin XL either way. I'm also really interested in your hypothesis about the "reverse" effect of combining Viibryd with Wellbutrin XL.
I feel that I may have crossed over into the "MAJOR" depression realm, but I'm not sure how to proceed and what to tell my psychiatrist other than being on Viibryd definitely hasn't made me able to "function" any better at 10-20mg, but it may have been helping at 40mg. However, I refuse to go back to 40mg because of the bloating and weight gain, so I suppose it doesn't matter, BUT... do you think I'd be okay if I just went back to the Lexapro and stopped the Viibryd?? At least I know how my body reacts to Lexapro, and I seemed to be fine on the combination of that and Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal (for the bipolarity). I believe that having been off Lexapro for a couple of months may have served to "reset" my system and perhaps its effects will thus be more pronounced now that my brain isn't so "used to it." What do you think??? I find that it's the same case with medications in general... their effectiveness can be reduced after long periods of consumption, and often times taking a "break" and resuming them can bring their effectiveness back up, temporarily at least. I have a lot riding on my mental health right now, as NOT being on the correct mix of medications causes me to completely fall off the social grid and renders me antisocial and unmotivated. I need to return to work and resume some sense of normality for obvious reasons. It's been a few months since I've had the motivation to do it, and I want my life back. Right now I feel as if I'm trapped in my home and my own brain, and it's beginning to overwhelm me. As usual, thoughts RonMan???
RO
RonMan
6 May 2013
OK, limb firmly held onto (I have a minor in adolescent physiology so I had to take more than a few classes). To quote you:
"I should mention that I am anorexic and bulimic and my doctor is well aware of this"
I would not have to check the DM to say that they odds you have Major Depressive Disorder are very high, BUT, you are being treated for bi-polar disease as well. The fact that your doctor knows this is more likely the reason he tried Viibryd. You just added Lamictal to the equation which complicates things even more (it is an anti-convulsant often used off-label for other things such as bi-polar disorder).
In other words, your weight gain just got VERY complicated chemically. MANY people gain wight on anti-convulants (depakote being the biggest offender). Your doctor just became and even bigger expert as you said above. You need to explain what is going on it detail. Make him/her take the time. All my research is limited to Viibryd and I have not tried to include complex drug interactions. If I did, I think my head would explode. The chemistry is just too hard (it is doable, I just don't have that much bandwidth or time).
In no way am I trying to brush this off, but there are too many drugs involved for me to speculate for you. I am going to continue my research on Viibryd as I believe I am moving in a positive direction.
Best of Luck,
RonMan
DA
daseniura
8 May 2013
Thank you, sir! Just to be clear, I've been on Lamictal for 6 years and have never had an issue with weight gain. Not sure if I was specific enough about that.
RO
RonMan
8 May 2013
This issue is not that you have been on it for years, it is that you added Viibryd to the mix. A new drug can change the way that old drugs work. Brain chemistry is a combination of science and a black art. I sometimes wonder if we really understand what we think we understand (reference to The Princess Bride).
RonMan
RO
RonMan
4 July 2013
I put off drawing any conclusions for a while as I had hoped to find more data, but none were forthcoming.
Viibryd does not cause weight gain in 93-97% of those taking it. However, if you are in that small group that does gain weight on Viibryd, you can gain it quickly or slowly depending on individual chemistry.
The same is true for those who loose weight on Viibryd, though weight loss seems to be much slower.
What I found more interesting was that the number of complaints about weight gain far exceeded the research data or that reported by doctors. This took more time to research, but was obvious once the work was done; People who have problems with a drug are more than 350% more likely to speak about it publicly than those who have no issues at all. These data were independent of Viibryd or any other anti-depressant. For some drugs the numbers were over 1,000%.
This in no way says that Viibryd users are complainers. In fact, high blood pressure medication users are much more vocal. It does indicate that Viibryd users are involved with their treatment and, when they have problems, they are willing to talk about them. If they don't have problems, and most don't, they don't talk about them.
Frenchie and I are advocates. Her reasons are her own. Mine are because the drug saved my live and after struggling with depression for 50 of my 60 years, I finally found something that works. Along with therapy, which everyone suffering from major depression should be utilizing, I am finally stable.
RonMan
TH
thesun2013
15 Aug 2013
Will all due respect, I must correct you on your Data info that you provided on Viibryd and Wellbutrin! You obviously made your own assessment from the information you read! Viibryd (SSRI) DOES NOT effect norepinephrine, hince the letters SSRI! Like you, I am taking Viibryd and love it also! Secondly Wellbutrin (NDRI) is not a weak norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, it is a very effective one (I have been on it for 5 years) and take it with Viibryd currently!
RO
RonMan
16 Aug 2013
I stand corrected because I misread this:
Vilazodone binds with high affinity to the serotonin 5-HT reuptake site with a Ki of 0.1 nM when compared with the norepinephrine (Ki = 56 nM) or dopamine reuptake sites (Ki = 37 nM). Vilazodone is a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin 5-HT reuptake with an IC50 of 1.6 nM. It binds to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor with an IC50 of 2.1 nM and acts as a partial agonist of the receptor (7). Vilazodone inhibited 5-HT reuptake into rat brain synap- tosomes more potently than fluoxetine with respective IC50 values of 0.2 and 6 nM. It demonstrated high poten- cy (EC50 = 1.4 nM), as well as partial agonist activity at the recombinant human serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (Emax = 87%) when compared with the endogenous ligand 5-HT (EC50 = 40 nM; Emax = 100%). The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 at concentrations of 10 and 100 nM shifted the EC50 values of vilazodone to 110 and 790 nM, respectively (8).
Vilazodone at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg s.c., paroxetine at 5 mg/kg s.c. and fluoxetine at 10 mg/kg s.c. decreased dorsal raphe neuron firing in rats under both acute (following a single injection) and subchronic conditions (after 3 days). Vilazodone, but not the SSRIs, significantly decreased dorsal raphe neuron firing by 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, after subchronic dosing, even after 1 day. These data imply that vilazodone acts as an SSRI and partial agonist of the 5-HT1A receptor providing dual antidepressant mechanisms in clinical practice (9). The antidepressant action of vilazodone has not been fully elucidated and the exact contribution of SSRI activity and 5-HT1A recep- tor partial agonism is currently unknown.
From this paper R.T. Owen, VILAZODONE: A NEW TREATMENT OPTION FOR MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, and this paper Donald S. Robinson, MD,* Daniel K. Kajdasz, PhD,Þ Susan Gallipoli, RN,Þ Heidi Whalen, MHS,Þ Art Wamil, MD, PhD,Þþ and Carol R. Reed, MDÞ, A 1-Year, Open-Label Study Assessing the Safety and Tolerability of Vilazodone in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder,
Which describes it as: Vilazodone hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reup- take inhibitor (SSRI) and a partial agonist at serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptors.1,2 Its particular antidepressant effect and safety profile may reflect modulation of serotonergic neuro- transmission, resulting in less negative feedback of endoge- nous serotonin and enhanced postsynaptic serotonin effects.1 Vilazodone is both potent and selective for serotonin reuptake inhibition and potent at the 5-HT1A receptor.
Viibryd is unique in that it effect two serotonin receptors and the second one has a designation similar to another SNR receptor and I mixed them up. The second receptor is why in this Oregon State review where the efficacy of a number of antidepressants were compared:
Month/Year of Review: April 2012 New Product for review: vilazodone (Viibryd®) Manufacturer: Forest Laboratories, Inc. Last Oregon Review: June 2011 (Oregon HRC) Table 1. Current Voluntary PDL Preferred/Non-Preferred Antidepressants Dossier received: Yes Source Document: DERP
The combining of Viibryd with and SNRI was not indicated.
I am a physicist and I do make mistakes. Sorry. The weak statement was in comparison to Viibryd. Wellbutrin is a powerful SNRI.
I have the Gastric Bio-availabilty studies if you want them I can send them privately.
BR
braydensnana
26 Oct 2013
Hi Ron I just started on the samples and on 20g. If 20 works can we cut the 40mg in half as I will have to pay $95 month. Thanks Peggy
RO
RonMan
26 Oct 2013
Peggy,
First I suggest you ask this as a new question so that others can find it in the future. Second, 40 mg tablets of Viibryd are not scored, so cutting them in half would be difficult to do successfully. Lastly, I cannot tell by the product description if they are consistent throughout the tablet so that they could be cut in half. I am sure that others have done so, but it is not something I would suggest. Your mileage will vary, of course.
I do suggest talking to your doctor about the cost issues. He may/should be able to get you a discount coupon. If not, look up Viibryd on this site and contact the manufacturer. A coupon, or a discount based on need, should be available.
RonMan
MR
mrsdemar
4 Nov 2021
I just stumbled upon this and I want to thank you for your research. I think I was meant to find this thread. I currently take Viibryd and Wellbutrin. I'm trying to decrease my meds and was considering asking my provider about discontinuing the Wellbutrin. This information has given me some good information and a starting point for further investigating.
