Vilazodone and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• les...
• July 3, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "I had no major side effects on this med, and it's helped my anxiety and depression. I've been taking it for 6 months. I titrated up to 20 mg. The med was helping my mood, but I had diarrhea that wasn't temporary, so they put me on 10 mg. The 10 mg is working just fine for me, but I still get diarrhea every now and then, whereas I didn't before starting Viibryd. Something peculiar - it seems since starting Viibryd, my guts are intolerant to veggies I ate fine before I started the med. Lettuces (even organic from the grocery not sprayed with preservatives), cooked cauliflower, etc., run right through me now. It's common for people to have this effect without this med, but I never was sensitive. Not sure if there is a correlation. It's not crampy, so for now, I'm staying on Viibryd."

• b3b...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I developed serotonin syndrome. Diarrhea (to the point of leaking), drowsiness, increased body temperature, very blurry vision, looked & felt drunk, bloating, weight gain, dry eyes, red bumps on face, feverish, felt like I was getting the flu, gas, heartburn, craved sweets, no concentration or focus, forgetful, clumsy, insomnia, etc. Four symptoms showed up during the first week on 10 mg, the rest showed up during the second week (20 mg). I've been on many antidepressants over the past 17 years (Zoloft, Effexor, Lexapro & Wellbutrin XR worked the best), but they would all eventually lose their effect. The only other time I've ever felt this bad in relation to a medicine was when I was going off of Lexapro. Viibryd is a 'no' for me!!"

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "Got the typical starter pack. One week at 10 mg - noticeable antidepressant effect, side effects of diarrhea and weird dreams. One week at 20 mg - suddenly had tons of energy. Found myself getting lots of housework done, starting up projects I had been putting off for months, but no true enjoyment of things I loved. Diarrhea remained, some insomnia started. Five weeks at 40 mg - energy remained good at first, wasn't depressed but wasn't happy either. Just became numb like with all other SSRIs I've tried. Diarrhea persisted. Had trouble getting up each morning and felt foggy all day but still had energy to get things done. No libido. Anhedonia persisted. Not the right drug for me."

• Ano...
• February 15, 2017

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I've used Viibryd for a couple of years. 40 mg grew to being jittery, even with exercise. At 20 mg, I have improvement. I'm much more functional. Being lactose intolerant, it's not uncommon to have diarrhea from time to time. If early in the day, it seems to cause a drop in energy, focus, etc. As needed, I sometimes take an additional 10 mg at lunch. Previous medicines tried were Prozac and Cymbalta."

• Tin...
• July 30, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "I had an eating disorder about 25 years ago but still retained the OCD-like behavior in many ways... but not so severe as to become disabling again. I became depressed recently due to general working mom stress and work burnout, and started taking Viibryd. I’d been taking Miralax and/or Mucinex daily (not due to eating disorder but chronic constipation) for 10+ years. I’ve been taking Viibryd for 7 months. I’ve definitely seen a great improvement. Some diarrhea at first, but that has subsided. In fact, I no longer have to take anything for constipation. The most amazing and immediate difference was I got off the scale and stopped weighing incessantly. I still do so a bit obsessively and compulsively, but it comes and goes and is definitely better. I laugh again now, and the dread I continuously felt still comes and goes at times, but it is so much better and it’s farther in between long periods of contentment."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I have bipolar, depression, anxiety, and I have been to mental hospitals with suicidal tendencies. I have tried many other medications and have been on just Viibryd for the last year now. Nothing in the past has helped me as much as Viibryd has. I went from having anxiety and bipolar episodes to being able to control my outbursts. For people who say they take this medication and it does nothing, I believe they may have not taken it long enough. The only adverse effects I have are diarrhea, and if I miss a dose by a day, I go through withdrawals pretty bad. I recommend this medication to every young adult I know!"

• Von...
• August 12, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been on 40 mg Viibryd for 8 months. Not too many side effects, e.g., no dry mouth, no nightmares, no high anxieties. A little insomnia requiring Benadryl. I had severe diarrhea until about a week ago, but it was semi-controllable with Imodium. I feel functional but still have 2-3 day periods of depression which are difficult to wade through, so it has not kept me completely stable. Missing 1 dose sends me way down within 2 days, change is very abrupt, so I know the drug is working. Day-to-day energy level only so-so on Viibryd, but I think my logical thinking has improved and words are not as difficult to find as when I was on other meds. This is huge for me. I'd like a little more stability, but for now the pluses outweigh the negatives for Viibryd."

• Ell...
• July 23, 2017

Vilazodone for Depression "After having poor results with several antidepressants, I started Viibryd. I only need 5-10 mg to feel a profound result. I eat really clean and exercise every day, so that may be part of why I need less. My doctor actually became emotional when he said he thought this was the right drug. I was suicidal, and getting up in the morning was a monumental task. I couldn't focus on my family, and social anxiety was high. I prayed that my body could adjust, and it has. When I occasionally up my dose, I have severe diarrhea, but I just take an OTC to treat it. Insomnia was a problem at first, but no longer is. I don't feel totally like myself, a little drugged, and my short-term memory is very challenged. But it's worth it. I can function fully now."

• Bry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "I was prescribed this medication to help with depression and anxiety brought on by several chronic medical conditions, including Crohn's disease and arthritis. Because of my sensitivity to meds, I was started on 5 mg. I could not make it through the first week due to severe diarrhea (like taking a colonoscopy prep), severe nausea, bloating, chest pain, disrupted sleep, body aches, and drowsiness. Side effects started on day one. I also had weird, vivid dreams, but I didn't mind that. I usually try to push through in the beginning, but this was too much. I don't think it's a good choice for anyone who already has GI issues. I've tried other meds that caused mild diarrhea in the beginning that I could tolerate. This was a bad fit for me!"

• Hot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2020

Vilazodone for Depression "This drug almost killed me, I do not recommend it to anyone! Its side effects are gruesome! Diarrhea, gas! Major depression, suicidal thoughts! Increased depression! It took me to the edge and back! It's like a lobotomy in a bottle! It's new, and I've never suffered anything like it in my entire life!! I would not recommend it to ANYONE!! PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DR. AND FIND AN ALTERNATIVE!!!!!"

• DKM...
• August 28, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "For the first week on 10 mg, had brain zaps, diarrhea, tingling in extremities, and some nausea, insomnia. Almost discontinued taking the drug. However, after a week, most side effects improved. Now on 20 mg per MD recommendation, only have insomnia and some leg cramps now, slight weight gain but not much. Mood improved, and the bonus is that my sexual function has improved for the first time in 10 years. Based on my experience so far, would recommend if you are willing to tolerate side effects for several weeks when beginning the drug."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2011

For Anxiety "I had tried several different types of medicines and combinations of medicines for my anxiety and irritability. Cymbalta has given me terrible side effects: sweating, constipation, hair loss, hypertension, dry mouth, and weight gain. My doctor thought that Viibryd might be a better option. I was very apprehensive, and I was ready to give up on medicines. The ramping up with the Viibryd (10 mg to 20 mg to 40 mg) was a horrible experience. I had terrible nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and spaciness. I couldn't distinguish if it was withdrawal from the Cymbalta (if that was possible with the switch to Viibryd) or if it was the Viibryd...could have been both. That all being said, now I'm on the 40 mg, and I feel great. I feel like the person I used to be."

• RAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Been on Viibryd for about 6 months now. Works great for me, no depression symptoms at all. I have noticed that it is difficult for me to get excited about anything, though. It sort of makes me just numb to all emotions, which helps with anxiety and social phobia. Side effects of diarrhea and gas were terrible, but the pros outweighed the cons in my case. After 6 months, I still have occasional diarrhea. Very vivid dreams at night, and every night. Expensive."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I was going through a really hard time in life, and I had never taken any sort of medication before. My doctor prescribed me this, and I was so super nervous to take it at first, reading all of the reviews. But everyone told me just to give it a try. I took it, and at first, everything was fine, but then I started having a “high” sensation. My heart was racing really fast, and I started talking really fast. It felt really weird, but I was like, “I can get used to this.” I went to bed and woke up at 2 in the morning with the feeling of nausea. I finally ran to the bathroom and started puking blood, believe it or not. I was panicked, and then I had diarrhea all day as well. I’m assuming I had an allergic reaction to it because that was the first night on it. But it was awful. I felt so, so sick. So I didn't think this happens to everyone, but I didn’t take it again. A few months later, I started taking Lexapro and Xanax, and I’ve liked that so, so, so much better!"

• hyp...
• March 12, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "At first, I felt better, but eventually, depression was MUCH worse. (FYI: do NOT drink alcohol on this med, the next day, I was almost suicidal). The side effects were terrible, ranging from random weird twitches, insomnia, overeating, diarrhea, to exacerbating my original condition in the first place. Glad it helped some people, but it was not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "Nausea was so bad even on Viibryd 5 mg when I started. Weeks and weeks went by, and I was hoping the side effects would slowly go away, but they never did. I couldn’t sleep, I constantly felt nauseous, headaches, shaking, awful sweating, and diarrhea. All day, every day, it was like this for me. I decided the side effects weren’t worth it."

• NO ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "This medicine upset the last two months of my life. I kept telling my doctor it was not working. He told me to keep trying it. I continuously had diarrhea for two months, sometimes having accidents. Sometimes my stools were bloody in nature, and I went to see my regular doctor to see if something else was wrong with me and found out it was a side effect of Viibryd. I was extremely irritated at the time of day I would take my dose, and a side effect is anger. I lost great friendships with family and friends because I became angry. I am depressed and usually very mellow. For the first time in my life, I was suicidal while on this medicine. Going off the medicine, the withdrawals led to an itchiness of my skin all over my entire body. No more Viibryd!"

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "My doctor switched me to Viibryd due to the weight gain on Lexapro, telling me Viibryd was supposed to be considered 'weight neutral.' I started off the first couple of months with a 20mg dose, and it was a little effective, but my anxiety that the Lexapro was so effective in dealing with was back. Last month, my dosage was increased to 40mg, and so far it is working well. No depression nor anxiety on this dose. Additionally, my sex drive is back, and other sexual side effects are gone. However, I gotta say... it causes me upset stomach pretty often, as well as diarrhea."

• Tid...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2022

For Anxiety "I have anxiety: PTSD. First off, I had a genetic test done that indicated drugs by class and how my metabolism would handle them. Red, no go. Yellow, maybe. Green, yes!!! Vybrid was the only green on the chart, and I was just exiting treatment after 20 years of daily Klonopin use for anxiety. At 10 mg, I felt like I was on a lightning ride to the moon, lol. It was more energy than I had felt in years, but no additional anxiety. Diarrhea, yes, and still have some of that at the full dosage, but overall it’s been very good for me. I also take 300 mg gabapentin 3 times daily. 4 years sober. I can maintain a positive and non-anxious mindset with little wavering."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "I was taking 20 mg of Trintellix and loved it besides stomach aches. For whatever reason, I asked to switch. My doctor decided Viibryd was the one, and let me tell you, it was NOT. Explosive diarrhea, and when I say explosive, I mean you better not leave your house. Terrible insomnia, and when I did sleep, I had insane dreams. The worst side effect was a super high heart rate and BP. I woke up in the middle of the night and had my husband take my BP, it was 173/98 with a resting heart rate of 123. This sent me to the ER, then to a cardiologist... that was my average BP and HR for the following three weeks until it was out of my system. Now I am back on Trintellix, and the occasional stomach ache is a dream compared to that nightmare."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been taking Viibryd for one year. I initially was suffering from anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse as I tried to escape from the feelings of living in a toxic marriage. I divorced and still felt very anxious and afraid of my ex-husband. Klonopin gave me immediate relief from the anxiety, and I rarely have to take it anymore. I stopped drinking and have no desire for it at all. I take 40 mg of Viibryd in the morning with a high-protein breakfast. It has been VERY helpful. Regular exercise is key. I was unable to exercise for a few months due to an injury and had terrible cravings for sweets and carbs that resulted in a 10 lb gain. That has gone away now that I am back to healthy eating and exercise. Diarrhea is still a problem."

• Bai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "A gene test showed this would be a good medication for me. I did one week of 10 mg, then went up to 20 mg. The first 2 weeks were okay, except for major diarrhea daily and nightmares. Then came the panic attacks. Not a fan."

• tak...
• June 23, 2017

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I'm a healthcare professional myself and was prescribed Viibryd for depression and anxiety. This medication is by far the worst medication I've taken. I started taking the recommended dosage with the starter pack. I experienced all the side effects (nausea, diarrhea, vivid dreams, zaps to the brain). The worst is I ended up in the ER with a panic attack, and these panic attacks have continued. Of course, I'm off this medication immediately, recommended by the ER physician and my personal MD. There are too many negative personal experiences with this medication. Even though everyone reacts differently, there is a correlation."

• Byo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Never had much relief with SSRIs, but my doctor spoke very highly about this drug. I was motivated to try it out. I had the common side effects like diarrhea and nightmares on 10 mg. As soon as I upped it to 20 mg, I got debilitating migraines and more anxiety. Lowered it back to 10 mg and feel super anxious and low. I’m getting intrusive thoughts about things I thought I had under control years ago. Definitely want to go back on an SNRI or an antipsychotic, I had felt better on those but had sexual dysfunction. I don’t care at this point, I just want some relief."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Unfortunately, my insurance only covers $60. The upside is I barely had any nausea or diarrhea, and then only for a few days when I started the 40 mg dose. Viibryd seems to be working great for me. I have had more intense dreams and a few nightmares, nothing overly bothersome. While on Paxil, I had horrible cravings for sweets. I was at one point eating 1/2 cup of peanut butter with 1/2 cup sugar mixed in. The cravings were compulsive, and I gained 15 lbs in 6 weeks. So far, the cravings are almost completely gone, and I have maintained the weight I am for 2 weeks. I'm hoping I will be able to lose the initial 15 lb gain. So far, no sexual side effects. My anxiety is under control too."