Vilazodone and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2018

Vilazodone for Depression "Cons: I have insurance approved and the discount card and still pay $125 a month. I haven’t felt anything drastic yet at 10 mg, and I've been taking it for 5 weeks or so (switching to 20 mg this week). I’ve had super bad insomnia in the middle of the night/nightmares, but nothing I haven’t had before. Some cases of sudden nausea if I don't eat for a few hours and some digestive stuff. Pros: got rid of my sleep paralysis, have enough energy, haven’t gained weight, decreases my urge to binge eat, more focused/motivated with school (but still depressed mood and emotional swings)"

• Cca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Absolutely the worst experience I’ve had with an SSRI, and I’ve been taking them for 6 years. Unbearable paranoia, anxiety, and side effects. Heart palpitations, obsessive thoughts, and insomnia. At 10 mg, I noticed side effects, but not as bad, but at 20 mg, I experienced the worst panic attacks of my life after not having them for months, along with the others listed. I will give this medicine credit for helping my depression, it has done great in that regard. But the anxiety and paranoia have been too much to handle. Telling my doctor to take me off of it tomorrow."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2021

Vilazodone "Viibryd was not a good fit for me. I took it for 3 days and had to stop. My doctor wanted me to try it to get rid of the sexual side effects I get with Lexapro. It did seem to help with my anxiety from day one; but the side effects were too severe for me. They were: - Severe insomnia. I got maybe 1-3 hours of sleep a night and haven't recovered yet. This was hell. - Strange, surreal thoughts/dreams - Constant headache - Diarrhea - Upset stomach/nausea. I am going to take a gene test before trying any more SNRIs because the only one that hasn't made me feel awful so far is Lexapro. From what I read, this medicine either works great or is terrible, so if you get lucky and it works great, you are one of the lucky ones! For me, it was a living nightmare. Take the test first and spare yourself the pain."

• Ma ...
• May 6, 2017

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I started the dosage as recommended by my doctor at 10 mg for one week, then 20 mg for the next few weeks. I was coming off Paxil slowly and going on Viibryd. I had very vivid nightmares with Viibryd. That's when I could sleep. I spent many hours awake with Viibryd, say around six hours per night. I'm already taking Ambien for sleep, and this medication made my insomnia much, much worse. Even the Ambien wouldn't work. What was even worse is that I felt like I was going crazy every morning after waking up from a very short sleep. I feel bad enough as it is, and don't need to feel even worse. I do NOT recommend giving this medication a try. I was desperate for relief, but felt worse, so I'm back to Paxil until I see my doctor again."

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I started on 10 mg for 7 days and was feeling less reactive and calm. Started 20 mg and 3 days in was spiraling into deep depression, agitation, irritability, crying, not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time, shock-like sensations down my right arm with my middle finger going completely numb, and headaches in the back of my head. I already have IBS, so I expected GI distress. Nausea for 3 days along with severe diarrhea for about 2 weeks. Diarrhea is intermittent now. I am waiting to hear from my doc about reducing the dose to 10 mg again. I think that might be my ticket. Good luck to all!!"

• abb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "This drug was horrible for me. After taking Prozac for 3 years and building a tolerance to it, I needed a change. So my doctor suggested Viibryd, which sounded great. Immediately after starting it, I had horrible stomach aches every single day. After only 3 days on this drug, I spent 2 days uncontrollably vomiting, and having diarrhea for the whole entire next week. My lips would bruise, and my arms and legs would get random bruises. I got terrible headaches, and my mind always felt foggy. My anxiety seemed worse, and my depression was hardly any better. It took me hours to fall asleep at night, only to wake up repeatedly throughout the night. After about 3 weeks on the drug, my doctor agreed to switch. I would not recommend it."

• drs...
• September 26, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been on Viibryd for about 3 months with mixed results. I started on 10 mg; I saw little improvement and increased my dosage to 20 mg. The pros: it took me out of a suicidal depression; my anxiety is lower, the physical symptoms of anxiety have decreased too; I have more energy, no more afternoon naps. The cons: sexual side effects are present, not as bad as other SSRIs, but still bothersome enough to keep me from increasing my dosage; diarrhea in the beginning, but it does go away, be sure to take it with food; same with insomnia; vivid dreams; has done nothing for OCD, and besides alleviating my suicidal idealization, it's done little for my depression. I feel flat and unmotivated. Going up to 40 mg may help, but I'm ambivalent."

• mro...
• September 26, 2013

Vilazodone for Depression "At first, Viibryd was a Godsend. I was always happy, no sexual side effects, no fatigue; it worked absolutely great. I went through the trial pack and forgot to get a prescription. About 2 months go by (because I'm lazy) and I finally go to the doctor to get another trial and a prescription. This time around, starting up, there are major side effects. The medication somewhat helps with my depression now, and I still get a strong sense of paranoia and hopelessness. The medication has strong sexual side effects now, and all arousal whatsoever is gone now. The insomnia is terrible. I get maybe 3 or 4 hours of sleep now. And might I mention I'm on the low dosages; I haven't even started the 40 mg yet."

• Ang...
• December 1, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "The 10 mg didn't seem to help at all, so after a few days, they let me up it to 20 mg. I had a little trouble sleeping, my legs would twitch, and it made me feel really angry for a few hours. I took Tylenol PM for a couple of days after upping it, and it seemed to calm me down so I could sleep. Then I was fine until it was time to up it to the 40 mg. I could not sleep at all, my whole body would twitch, and I just felt out of it and like I was going to have a panic attack. Finally, I took a bath, and it helped me relax enough to sleep for a couple of hours. It was very scary, but after a couple of hours, I felt fine. I am a little scared to take the second dose of the 40 mg, but I think I'm gonna try taking it in the morning. I feel great on the medicine, otherwise."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2011

Vilazodone for Depression "I am taking Viibryd more for anxiety. On day five of Viibryd and I am feeling a lot of the side effects right now. Diarrhea, nausea, tingling in my arms, and insomnia. Hopefully, this will improve as time goes on."

• jmw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Anxiety "I have had social anxiety all of my life. I am a 38-year-old female. My biggest concern taking SSRIs is the sexual side effects. Viibryd had the same effect, unfortunately. I was very hopeful and sadly disappointed. I took Viibryd for 3 weeks, with sexual side effects after one week. On top of extreme nausea and insomnia almost instantly. I could have managed the nausea and insomnia, but no way I can manage a healthy marriage with no orgasm, EVER. So, once again I am searching for an anti-anxiety medication that won't kill sex and my marriage."

• 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."

• Yay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication, Viibryd, almost killed me. Was on 10 mg for a week, then 20 mg, and then side effects started. Diarrhea, worse insomnia I ever had. Was in fear and crying all the time on it. :( Had to check myself in hospital so I can get off it and start on new medication. Crazy stuff."

• 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."

• Awa...
• June 16, 2017

Vilazodone for Depression "Caused major insomnia and racing thoughts. I was unable to sleep for 3 days after stopping this medication. The other side effects I experienced included irregular heartbeat, sense of being hot all the time, stomach pains, and diarrhea."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Basically, I felt light open up to me after about 2 days. After a week on 10 mg, things felt normal but good. Once I switched to 20 mg, no change, but still much better than in the past. Going to 40 mg tomorrow. Diarrhea was bad at the beginning but not enough to counter the feeling of calm, peacefulness, and ability to reduce the sadness, rage, and sleepiness of the depression. Bad insomnia at 3 weeks on 20 mg; then 2-3 days of wanting to sleep all day. Otherwise, so much better in the good times."

• 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."

• Mjt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Started on Viibryd because Trintellix was too intense. It took about a month on 20 mg, and I felt better and more motivated than I have felt in 10 years. However, I was having trouble sleeping and having hot flashes and terrible constipation and just not feeling good in these ways. I ended up going off of Viibryd and back on Effexor for a while. When I start to get depressed again, I will go back on Viibryd for a while, and I think I will have to switch back and forth. Sometimes you have to do what you feel is right for you."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I was taking Celexa 40 mg every night, but it seemed to just stop working one day, so my psychiatrist put me on Viibryd. Usually, I have constipation, but it's helped my bowels move better. I do have some trouble sleeping because right as I'm about to fall asleep, I get weird spasms throughout my body, almost like I'm being shocked? Then, once I do fall asleep, I have strange, scary nightmares and sometimes lucid dreams, so when I wake up, I'm not sure if what happened was real or not. I also have some trouble waking up, but once I am up, I feel alright. I'm rating this a 7 because I don't have any problems with my depression anymore. It does cause me to take some Xanax at times, but I've only been on it for 3 weeks."

• Riv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2021

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Wicked diarrhea and feel very sluggish and weepy. Not sleeping well. I wish I could tolerate something, anything!! I’ve tried pretty much every antidepressant, exercise, talk therapy. It’s exhausting. With the meds, usually the side effects knock me down as much as the depression does."

• 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)."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have only just begun taking Viibryd, and after one pill, I already notice a difference. Love it. My doctor has always directed me to take my antidepressants at night for one of the biggest side effects is drowsiness. I did have a little bit of a hard time falling asleep. I was taking 200 mg Zoloft for about 2 years, and it just pooped out. I haven't had any side effects yet. I'm very hopeful for this antidepressant. Although I did have one side effect, my muscles feel like I ran a country mile. I'm hoping this gets better as I adjust to taking higher doses."