Hey there. I'm Wondering if anyone knows how severe the side effects of abnormal dreams and vivid dreams can be with Viibryd. I currently have been on the med for 4 months and twice in the last two weeks I have missed a dose accidentally. Each time I have missed a dose I have had dreams that are very specific and very real to where I swear I can feel sensation during my dreams. I would be okay with this except for the fact that I wake up from sleeping 8-10 hours with absolutely no energy and am starting to panic about how strange my dreams are and how much my asleep life is effecting my awake life. My only issue is that Viibryd has been the ONLY medication that has not caused my depression to spiral out of control. Can anyone give me any tips, comfort, or anything? I'm at the point where this is effecting me severely and also sometimes happens when I do take my medication consistently.
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10 Answers
SA
sabaka12
26 Oct 2024
First off... I love taking 40 mg of Vybrrd at night and i feel it's helping soooooo much for my with anxiety and some depression to where I am still going to continue to take it. Anyway... I too have been experiencing strongly vivid and bizarre dreams that are so real I can actually direct what I do in them it seems? I've been taking 40mg dose of Vybrrd for about 3yrs or so, and I've noticed 3 things that this overall wonderful medication may be causing. The first thing. 1.) Pre sleep "brain shocks" that volt me back wide awake and are freaking weird. It feels like someone really hits me with a serious jolt of electricity?? Does anyone have this happen to them? I think I've read somewhere that these are called " hypnotic jerks", and I was relieved to see this because I was concerned that it was some kind of neurological condition that might be severe.
2.) These lucid, and vividly realalistic dreams. These dreams seem very eerie as opposed to scary, and they seem to be where I can directly move around in these dreams... very bizarre
Votes: +0
CJ
cjkwil
7 Feb 2023
I have taken Viibryd for years and have correlated enhanced dreaming with it. Not nightmares but I started remembering my dreams and felt they had more influence on my awakened mind. I take no more than 20 mg once a day often tapering to 10 and sometimes weaning off for months. When I took 40mg at one point, it was the increase in dream intensity that caused me to taper. I could awake from a dream but hover there and easily slip back into the same dreamscape effortlessly when I took 40. Very weird. However, for general uplift in mood and ability to resist some unproductive thoughts, Vybryd was far superior to Zoloft, Lexapro and (yuck) Wellbutrin for me, so I continue.
Votes: +0
CG
cgsb97
22 March 2022
I recently had the same- 2 very scary, so realistic dreams. I woke up expected to be carried off or hurt by some bad person. I'm on 20mg and take it regularly. I know that when I miss a dose I sometimes get what I call "brain zaps." But these recent scary dreams seem to happen just as I doze off- not in the middle of the night. Like if Im watching TV and nod off, I get them. They frighten me terribly.
Votes: +0
RA
Rathmullan
12 June 2021
Hello:
I can relate somewhat. Viibryd really helped with my depression (as compared to Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor). But it does seem to effect dreams - particularly when missing a dose or when tapering down to a lower dose. The good news is that these effects appear to me to be temporary. That is, once you get use to the new dose and as long as you don't miss a dose the vivid dreams are kept at bay.
I will say one thing about Viibryd and the dream thing. Once I travelled overseas and I had been awake for 28 hours straight before finally going to bed. I decided I would wait till the next morning before taking my (then) 40 mg dose of Viibryd in order to try to get in sync and lessen the jet lag. That night I had an incredibly vivid dream that was wonderfully life changing.
I don't know if it was the Viibryd or God (I prefer to attribute it to the latter who used my situation - including the Viibryd - to deliver a spiritual experience).
I sympathize that You are experiencing dreams that seem to be negatively impacting your waking life but I am suggesting that that may not always be the case.
All the best and take care for now.
Votes: +0
MA
masso
12 June 2021
Abnormal dreams are a common side effect of this antidepressant which affects 1% to 10% of people being treated with Viibryd (Vilazodone). Most commonly potential side effects occur within the first couple of weeks, but it is not normal that after 4 months of treatment you are experiencing this side effect which is affecting you quality of life.
I advice you to inform your Dr. of what you are experiencing, if you have not done so already.
Have a nice day, masso
Votes: +1
MA
masso
12 June 2021
Just realized I answered and old post, well, perhaps my answer may help other members.
CG
cgsb97
22 March 2022
me too
VH
vhall0021
12 June 2021
So, I've been reading through these q&a's and finally decided to comment. I had been on Viibryd 20mg for around 6 months and upped to 40mg about a month ago.
I have always (since childhood) had vivid dreams. Not necessarily nightmares, but very realistic dreams and at times quite disturbing or scary ones. My dreams have not often impacted my falling back asleep or next day, but I've had issues with sleep since starting my teaching career 8 years ago.Worry keeps me up, racing thoughts and panic I won't fall back asleep mess me up more than dreams.
Not until I was going through traumatic events back to back to back did I turn to more serious meds for sleep. I'd taken melatonin occasionally before life got so stressful and it helpes when I needed it. I started teaching public school and it is beyond stressful despite the rewards that I do love from the work. So my physchiatrist that I saw strictly for Adderall suggested hydroxyzine. Eventually I started stronger things like Seroquel only a few does (was too nervous to take it after reading online and felt drowsy next day) then Klonopin to get me through the rougher times and was told it'd be temporary.
I've had anxiety, sleep issues, and depression since I can remember. I come from an alcoholic home where my mother was extremely depressed and anxious and drunk 24/7. Since age 16 I've taken Paxil, Zoloft, Brintellix, Wellbutrin, Ability, and I'm probably forgetting some too.
OK back story a bit out of the way... So, my doctor and the prescription bottle noted that taking this medication with a meal was important. So I tried but teaching from home during the pandemic had my eating schedule out of walk. I see a lot if people on here say first thing in the morning is best to take it, but do you eat with it?
My Dr told me it wasn't a big deal with eating so I started taking it at night and it is FOR SURE 100% making me have insane dreams and sleep issues. So I'm taking Klonopin or advil pm to sleep most nights that I have to work or be somewhere early.
But then it got worse because I hadn't put it together that the switch to nighttime dosing was causing this so I up to 40 MG. I felt like 20 was a mid dose and I could feel better. Not so anxious, but very dull and lack of energy and motivation to do eceryday things.
So now 40 MG at night (took it 30 min before sitting down and reading this and it's 1am on a weekend) and my dreams have gotten down right cray cray. Woo thank God for regular people taking these meds and boards like these to help is figure stuff out. The doctors just don't know it all. And I feel like Viibryd coming from samples at first points to the Dr upselling it (just a theory). So I hope your sleep is better by now and thanks everyone everyone sharing their suggestions. Im gonna gradually pull it back to taking in the morning and see how that goes. What about weekends or summer vacation for me as a teacher and not always awaking at the same time though? Any suggestions there?
Votes: +0
SA
sarabara2017
14 June 2015
So I'm a 19 year old college student, going on my junior year. I've felt depressed since before I started college and I finally felt it was time to finally try to fix this issue. My doctor had me try the sample pack of Viibryd. At first it seemed to work pretty well. I was going to sleep around decent times and actually waking up happy for once. Overall I was excited because I thought this medicine was helping. I'm on the 23rd day of my pack and I moved to the 40mg pills. This week I've had some freaky nightmares. It started a few days ago. I came home from class pretty exhausted but I tried to keep pushing myself through the day instead of taking a nap. Finally I allowed myself a 30 minute nap that evening.
It felt like the minute I shut my eyes I went into my dreaming stage. I could hear every noise around me and it translated into something else in my dream. I was surrounded by darkness and what felt like demons. I kept getting hit for some reason in the dream and each hit felt so very real. Finally I woke up from one of the blows to my face and woke up gasping. I had been out cold for about 20 minutes. I ended up just getting out of bed and doing other stuff for fear that the dreams would come back. Tonight I've been awake all night (college kid problems) but I still managed to take my medicine at a halfway decent time. I finally just layed down to go to sleep around 6:30am this morning. I don't remember falling asleep, all I remember is the terrifying dreams I was having. They were so vivid, as if I was in a simulation. I apparently was dreaming of some of the things I fear such as falling and being late to class. I remember each fall and I seemed to feel each fall. Then later in my dream I felt almost high. I lost clarity and had like this pulsating wave over me. For whatever reason, in spite of my obvious terrible condition, I got into my Ford Explorer in the dream. I drove out of a parking lot and into the downtown area of my college town, beginning to pick up pace. I hadn't yet finished putting my seatbelt on because of the high I was feeling. All of a sudden I hit something and went flying out my front windshield. I felt the impact and was freaking out from the accident. I turned in my dream and saw my car's front end destroyed. A man in a jeep had pulled over in my dream to help me and the last thing I remember is crawling towards him and moaning "help me" as I spat up blood, unable to scream out loud. Then all of a sudden I woke myself up crying. I snapped back into reality. My heart was racing and I was terrified. Unable to realize if I was indeed out of my dream I didn't want to look around my room but finally I got the courage to get out of bed and pinch myself to check if I was still dreaming. I immediately started looking up dream side effects for my depression medicine and found these comments. I'm so glad I found others that have experienced the same thing. I was afraid I was starting to go crazy. I've never been so scared in my life because of a dream and I've never had a dream so horrifyingly vivid like these. I think I will be calling my doctor first thing Monday and see if I can be switched to something else. I guess Viibryd was too good to be true... Good luck everyone and thank you for sharing!
Votes: +0
LI
LisaAllyson
14 June 2015
Why not stick with the lower dosage if it was working for you. There's no rule that you have to take 40. I say this every time I comment, don't miss a dose and take it first thing in the morning.
I've been on it for about 3-4 years. If I miss a dose now it's not a huge deal, even if i don't remember till lunch to take it I'm okay. My body is finally good with it. Viibryd works for me but not for everyone. I do take the normal amount. Have you tried Zoloft? That one worked best for me but I didn't like the weight gain or sexual side effects. I'll pick vivid dreams over those two any day. :)
DE
deathb4decaf
28 May 2015
I've been experiencing the most horrific nightmares while on this stuff. And the worst part is it makes me sleep longer so I just woke up from 14 hours of pure terror.
Votes: +0
AT
atticabob
13 Dec 2014
I've also had very vivid dreams when I started taking Viibryd, and they usually recur when I miss a dose or two. I have noticed that after staying on dose for a while the dreams eventually subsided for me, and I've never had problems with nightmares. I've been taking Viibryd for ~2 years now, and the 'abnormal' dreams very rarely occur. I work nights and only get 4-6 hrs of sleep a day, so this may have something to do with it. Unfortunately, the only advice I can give you is to give it time and keep taking it regularly; that's what worked for me. (The side effects of this med are pretty rough, and even after 2 yrs I still have problems with some of them if I miss a dose or two. I stay with it because it does what it's supposed to do for me, and does it very well! Good luck to you!)
Votes: +0
LI
LisaAllyson
9 Dec 2014
Same happens to me if I miss a dose. Also, I found that taking it consistently in the morning eliminates the scary nightmares. I still have vivid dreams, but they aren't frightening. I remember how scary they used to be. I hated going to sleep when I first started taking the medication.
Votes: +1
JS
jstuck61
9 Dec 2014
I'm super scared because I feel sensations and the dreams are more eerie than scary. I've been waking up with my pillows scattered across my room and my blankets sometimes as well :/ I just don't want to feel tired anymore.
LI
LisaAllyson
9 Dec 2014
Hang in there. Do you take it early in the morning? I can't handle it at night. I take it as soon as I wake up.
JS
jstuck61
9 Dec 2014
My doctor was specific when I started to take it at night, but I'm going to be trying mornings from now on!
LI
LisaAllyson
9 Dec 2014
I wonder why your doc said that?? I've been on it for years. Please let me know if morning helps! It made all the difference for me.
I would gradually make the time switch though. Maybe a few hours earlier every night until It's being taken in the morning. I'm no doctor though!
Lisa
HR
hroark
21 Feb 2018
Did the vivid dreams ever go away? I have been on 10 mg of viibryd for 3 weeks and am afraid to increase the dose because the dreams are so vivid. Sometimes they are nightmares and sometimes not, but always eerily vivid. I like not having the sexual side effects that I had on the SSRI's, but I'm just about ready to quit viibryd. Thanks.
