Vilazodone and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• KST...
• March 20, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been on Lexapro for years. Due to no sex drive, I was placed on Viibryd. I had the worst adverse reaction. After four weeks, went from doing well on Lexapro to violent, hearing things, paranoid. I stopped the medicine and went back to Lexapro."

• ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Absolutely dreadful. I’ve been taking it for several days, and my anxiety is ten times worse, my depression is no better, and I can barely function. I’m breaking down daily, have this awful feeling everyone is out to get me, and my terrible doctor had the nerve to say I should continue it to see how it goes. My insurance wouldn’t even cover these FDA-approved bath salt pills, so that should’ve been my first clue it wasn’t worth my time. The medication and her are getting tossed out."

• Ger...
• December 10, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "Started the medication 3 months ago. Awful, awful, awful crawling out of my skin, anxiety, agitated, restless, and can't sleep. Awful, awful medication, worst antidepressant I ever took, and I've been on them for 30 years."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

For Anxiety "Less sleepiness. I feel more energetic and am focusing better. My function is better. Not depressed or down, even with 10 mg a day. However, it does not cover my anxiety, and an hour after I take it, I start having worries and butterflies. It kind of makes me tense, but definitely targets depression and psychomotor retardation."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

For Anxiety "Less sleepiness. I feel more energetic and am focusing better. My function is better. Not depressed or down, even with 10 mg a day. However, it does not cover my anxiety, and an hour after I take it, I start having worries and butterflies. It kind of makes me tense, but definitely targets depression and psychomotor retardation."

• C...
• November 3, 2017

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Had been using sertraline for almost 8 years, no major problems, 75 mg dose. Switched to Viibryd when I wanted something that would allow me to be a little more energetic and increase libido. Things were fine the first 2 weeks, no side effects, but no increase in energy really. Then I started having problems grinding my teeth and couldn't relax my jaw, anxiety increased even with taking clonazepam. Not to mention sleep was hard to come by and wouldn't be refreshing. Be careful with this."

• Anonymous
• March 17, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been diagnosed over 20 years ago with major depression and was hospitalized. Took Prozac, and after 5 years, was able to taper off. Depression came back the last year and was diagnosed with recurrent major depression. After having a bad reaction to Wellbutrin, my psychiatrist suggested Viibryd because of the non-side effects for sexual desire. I took 10 mg for two weeks, and while it did seem to help with my depression, I did notice insomnia, an increase in anxiety in the morning, as well as an increase in the ringing in my ears. I have some tinnitus, but I found that the Viibryd increased it so much that it made it unbearable for me. I had to stop the medication and noticed a major recurrence of anger and sadness."

• KEP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2022

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "This drug was brutal to start. I titrated up to 40 mg over a 2-month period, and the whole time was marked by extreme insomnia, high anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Decided to try it as I had been through a few name-brand antidepressants, one being escitalopram that worked very well, but lost its effects after 4 years. The Viibryd did work to alleviate the deep depression I was in on month 3, but it came with annoying side effects such as a strong feeling of numbness, visual disturbances, high activation, continuous sleep disruptions, and appetite problems. These problems persisted (although to a lesser extent) for the next 1 and a half years of use, until finally, I decided I was intolerant to it and decided to stop. I do credit it with helping my depression, however, it also made me regularly feel like garbage. I am now stopping the medicine and starting Prozac (fluoxetine), and I am feeling much better overall so far."

• kon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Worst side effects ever. Took for one week and had such bad gastro effects, deeper depression, and anxiety and no sleep, got off it. Am still dealing with gastro side effects three weeks later. Never had this with any other antidepressant."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "I had very high hopes at the start of this medication for depression. For the first several weeks, I felt awesome. Then, my anxiety reared its ugly head (I know this med is used for MDD only). My sex drive was nonexistent, and it was terrible (think going from Niagara Falls to the creek in your backyard growing up in the worst summer drought in history). I get pretty agitated pretty quickly. I started Paxil today, hopefully, it gives me some relief!"

• Nol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 29, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been on this medication for about 1 year after taking generic Zoloft for years. I currently take this with lorazepam and just added buspirone. I’m wondering after reading some of the reviews if it’s not making my racing thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks worse as I wake up in panic."

• the...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2021

Vilazodone for Depression "When my doctor upped the dosage to 40 mg, I had a terrible manic episode. Worst experience of my life. Thought I was dying, felt like I was leaving my body, could not speak except gibberish, felt no control of myself. Felt like an anxiety attack x 100. Had to be driven to the ER. Before this, I felt extremely numb on this medicine in a scary way. Like I literally felt indifferent to everything."

• she...
• November 3, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Noticed I am more anxious than before I started taking it. Luckily, I haven't had nightmares or GI issues so far, but I've only started one and a half weeks ago. From what I've seen from reviews, it's all about the individual, I guess."

• MDa...
• May 3, 2021

Vilazodone for Depression "I took Viibryd for a total of 11 weeks, 5 mg for 1 week, 10 mg for 2 weeks, and then 20 mg for 8 weeks. Sleep was the big issue. I was unable to sleep with assistance on this medication, and so after 11 weeks, I decided it wasn't for me, and it was time to stop. I'm taking a number of different medications in order to help me sleep, but I would wake up at 2 a.m. every night and then toss and turn. In the beginning, I couldn't sleep at all, and it was frightening and very scary. The other big issue was from the first dose I was not able to get an erection. So sleep and ED and at 20 mg not controlling anxiety. I was put on Klonopin (as a rescue) to help with sleep and anxiety, and I'm now off the drug and going back to Paxil, which allows me to sleep through the night and get an erection."

• Gho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2016

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Was on Viibryd 40 mg and didn't see a positive change until 8 weeks into it. I got depressed/anxious after one month, and they increased the dose to 60 mg. I got depressed/anxious again after about another month. Just doesn't work. Never truly felt back to normal or that sense of well-being. WAY too expensive. One positive thing is that it didn't make me feel sleepy compared to all the others (Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac)."

• Jui...
• March 5, 2021

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I just weaned off Lexapro 20 mg after a year, the withdrawal was horrible... flu symptoms, anxiety, mania, headaches, and brain zaps. I'm on day 2 of Viibryd 10 mg. I almost feel euphoric. I'm happier, anxiety and mania are almost gone, energy boost, clearer thinking. Only downside so far has been restless legs while trying to sleep, but so far I'm seeing an improvement!"

• jer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "Total garbage. Had an adverse reaction to Viibryd that included everything except for death, coma, and seizures. Syncope was so bad I didn't want to use the bathroom or even get out of bed. Almost said I was suicidal so someone would take care of me. ER described it as the flu, anxiety, drug reaction, vasovagal reaction due to constipation even though I had the runs and a bunch of other stuff."

• ble...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Medicaid covers this! I'm ending week 3 on Viibryd - 2 weeks on 10 mg, finishing the 1st week on 20 mg. Had lots of tummy trouble after the 1st dose (diarrhea, slight nausea, lots of bloating & gas), but it has lessened, but not good yet. I take it with lunch. (Also on Synthroid - empty stomach in the morning, Wellbutrin - 450/day x 10 yrs) Main other side effects: a bit more anxiety, electric-zappy/restless legs in the evening (getting better), other muscle twitches at first, trouble getting to sleep (worse after dosing up to 20 mg). I do feel a little more energy and a little more positive. Not interested in food during the day after taking Viibryd, mostly due to upset tummy. I get HUGE cravings for sweets in the evening (must be after it wears off)."

• 33r...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2021

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Prozac for 25 years, but it no longer helps my depression. After the first 20 mg dose of Viibryd, I became flat of affect and very edgy, mean. On the second day, a strange worry about every little detail about life on Earth started. I began a worry loop about losing my job, my brain started replaying every interaction I had with other humans and started feeling paranoid. By day 3, I felt like screaming and running down the street. I've never had a reaction like this. The mental worry loop it induced was terrifying. Day 4 was worse. I stopped taking it on day 5. This was a very scary experience."

• em3...
• December 24, 2017

For Anxiety "I started the sample pack at 10 mg and didn't feel much of a difference until 20 mg, which is when I felt it kick in. However, after about 2-3 days, I experienced horrible headaches and jolts, insomnia, and increased anxiety and depersonalization. I HATE IT. I am talking to my therapist as we speak about switching it off, however, I have read an increase helps or waiting 6-8 weeks after starting does too but am too anxious to do that and am wanting to start a new one."

• kwe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2013

Vilazodone for Depression "Was on this medication for 5-6 weeks. Titrated up to 40 mg, but this made my anxiety so bad (mostly physiological) that I went back down to 30 mg. Was only on 40 mg for a few days. Got my first brain zap and accompanying psychosis with full-blown auditory hallucinations. That's when I knew it was time to quit. Viibryd isn't as bad at inhibiting sexual desire as other SSRIs, but it STILL does! For anxiety, this medication wasn't helpful, but I did notice myself in a more positive and upbeat mood (for what that's worth). After spending a total of 4-5 hours researching this drug and hearing about what it's like if you forget to take your dose (even if you're an hour off) - I was scared straight. Weaned myself off FAST (5 mg reduction per night)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been on Viibryd for depression, anxiety, and panic attacks for almost 6 weeks (started on 10 mg for 2 weeks, then went up to 20 mg). So far, my experience has been good. Every week, I slowly noticed myself feeling a little better. Now, looking back, I used to have multiple panic attacks a day, and now I have maybe a few a week, tops. My goal is to have less than this, but this is still a big improvement for me! My depression is also not 100%, but it is a lot better. I've tried multiple medications, and this one is the best with the least side effects. The only side effects I noticed were increased anxiety at the beginning, which went away after a few days. I also had insomnia in the beginning, which seems to have gotten a lot better. No weight gain or low sex drive. Life isn't sunshine and rainbows on Viibryd. I still have hard days and I still get anxious, but I feel like the medicine is doing what it is supposed to do! I'll definitely be staying on it and continuing to do therapy and self-care."

• DbL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

Vilazodone for Depression "Have been on most antidepressants since 1996, Prozac worked but then wears off (just discontinued 3 weeks ago). Viibryd at 10 mg first week helped, increased to 20 mg as instructed. Have weakness overall, heart palpitations, dilated pupils, annoyed easily, unable to achieve the big O, gut feels awful and bloated, cervical dystonia is aggravated. I have not had diarrhea but cramping. Jittery feeling, thoughts of being better off dead for a few days now. Have only been on this med for 3 weeks... not sure what to do..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been taking this medication now for 3 months, and I've noticed my depression is a lot better. I do get down when PMSing (more so than normal). I'd rate it higher if it weren't for the electric shock feeling I get through my body if I don't take it at the same time every day and my lack of a sex drive. I've tried Zoloft (worked for 4 months or so and stopped working for me) and Effexor (I felt constant rage in my chest), so far, the Viibryd is the best of the 3. I also have post-traumatic stress disorder, so now I am looking to see if it's possible to add a medication to the Viibryd for this as it does not help for PTSD. I take Xanax occasionally as needed for anxiety."

• Jef...
• April 18, 2018

For Depression "I have tried a host of anti-depressants over the last decade with little or no effect. I was given Vilazodone (Viibryd) about 4 months ago and got positive results in the 1st 10 days. I had given up on believing that any medication could help me, but now look at life differently. My issues are mostly still there, but I look at them differently (without a sense of urgency), and for once... truly have some hope, at least. My symptoms were extreme depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, and more combined with total isolation. My situation has not changed, although I now have hopes and often the desire to do something about my situation while starting to believe that I can succeed. A couple of my ideas may seem a little grandiose, but I believe they are well-planned ideas that can work, which is yet to be seen, which is correct. Time will tell, but I do not think I could survive going back to the mental state I was lost in for so long."