Vilazodone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been on Viibryd for a little over two months now for generalized anxiety disorder and major depression. My doctor and therapist both gave me sample packs, and I slowly increased to 40 mg. The depression problem was initially due to a bad combination of medicines, so I don't feel I need the Viibryd for that, but I had high hopes for the anxiety relief. It really could be better. I still have anxiety, and the side effects of the medicine are too much to put up with just for the slight decrease in anxiety. Nightmares, weight gain, gas, bloating, increased irritability, no sex drive, and mild hallucinations during the night (usually after a nightmare). I loved Viibryd at first. Now, I'm trying life without medicines."

• tug...
• January 7, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I had dysthymia, low level but nagging depression after dealing with elderly parents, their health and emotional issues, resulting ultimately in moving them out of their home: father into a nursing home and mother into assisted living. Watched as father died a slow natural death after years of health problems. Started Viibryd, and on day four, felt better. When titrating to 40 mg, felt bad physically in general, so have stayed on 20 mg; been there for several weeks. I feel like the old me, not irritable and snappy, especially with my husband. Feel more positive, confident, and outgoing. I will be 57 in a few days. The bad: increased appetite, especially for sweets and at night, and 10 lb weight gain."

• 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."

• Sal...
• June 4, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking this medication a month ago. My doctor had been prescribing me Xanax for 10 years and felt this was the cure for my anxiety. I experienced worsening anxiety and panic attacks. I felt really irritable and still do. By the 5th week, I was beginning to feel hopeless and not wanting to get out of bed. I'm always tired, and I have gained 10 lbs in 5 weeks. I'm supposed to take it for another month, and if it still doesn't help, then I get to taper off. I accidentally missed a dose and felt miserable. I had no energy and felt like electric shocks were popping my brain cells. I still have anxiety and feel like this medication gave me depression."

• She...
• September 16, 2017

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on and off antidepressants most of my adult life and have tried many. Was just switched from Celexa to Viibryd about 1 month ago, and it has been a living nightmare. This has by far been the worst med I have ever been on. I have been an emotional wreck and sick as hell. Nausea, dizzy, shaky, jittery, heart racing, weight gain, headaches, anger, crying, and several more. I have actually had to pull my car off the road and sit because I was so sick. I can't think straight at all. Tried tapering down from 20 mg to 15 mg for a week, and I felt like I was dying, so went back to 20 mg. I feel like I belong in the mental ward. I see my doctor in a few days. Horrible drug, I do not recommend at all! Rather be depressed."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2013

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been on Viibryd for 3 months. My mood has improved a lot. I have decided to try something else, though, because of the weight gain and acne. Also, I have had debilitating pain in all my joints. The doctors say it wouldn't be the meds causing it; they should be helping if anything, but I figured I should mention it in case others have had a similar experience. I will say that I would be willing to go back on it if the side effects don't improve with different meds."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "Do not take this! I've only been on this for a month and gained ten pounds without even overeating. I also had a racing heart and couldn't breathe. I've been on at least fifteen different antidepressants, and I have to say stay away from this please."

• Von...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2016

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Suicidal in early 20s - previous control found with counseling, Zoloft, Effexor, no other drugs giving much or lengthy control of disease. About 2 years ago, began Viibryd - quickly brought up to 40 mg dose. Still have dry mouth and some diarrhea (so bad at first it actually turned into IBS for me) and continue with daily headaches and queasiness, though no weight gain as others reported. In the last 5-6 months, have noticed a sharp increase in sudden unexpected crying with no ability to stop, and now more aggressive feelings and an increase in suicidal ideation, which I have not had for many years. Very surprising and frightening after all this time (40 years since diagnosis). Will wean off this drug soon when/if I can find a doctor to address these issues."

• kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2016

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication is terrible. Right away, I was experiencing nausea every day. I had blurred vision, and I felt like I couldn't think very well. My brain was all foggy. I craved sweets and carbs all the time. I took it for a month and gained about 15 pounds. I also had the most extreme, horrible, vivid nightmares where I was afraid to close my eyes, and sometimes I felt like I couldn't wake up. I woke up covered in sweat with a racing heart, frightened. I also got brain zaps, where it felt like my brain was being electrocuted for a second. I feel like I turned into a monster on this drug. I was filled with so much rage and anger, and I hated everyone and everything. I would have times that I just broke down crying uncontrollably. So I switched."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 14, 2016

Vilazodone for Depression "I've been on Viibryd for a year now. Startup symptoms were upset stomach, diarrhea, and nausea. I got to about 10 mg for a week and couldn't handle the nausea, so I backed off to about 5 mg. I had a good improvement, and nausea went away. Tried to go back up to 10 mg, and by the 4th day, I had the same results. Keep in mind antidepressants are very powerful. I had improvement from just 5 mg. My doc wrote me a script for 20 mg, and I cut those into 4. I still have days where I don't feel well, but it has decreased my depression symptoms and panic attacks with minimal side effects. I gained a little weight, about 7 lbs. No sexual side effects. Has to be taken with food."

• liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "At first, I loved Viibryd. I was taking 40 mg, then I just wasn't happy. I gained over 20 lbs on this medicine. The dreams were crazy while I was on it, and so was life. I have been off the meds for a week and am almost down 10 lbs."

• Bel...
• October 3, 2017

Vilazodone for Depression "Been on Viibryd for 6 years at 40 mg/day. Although it was great for the anger management and depression, I gained 65 pounds despite working out and started losing my hair in huge clumps. I still couldn't sleep through the night and noticed that I couldn't focus anymore for even short periods of time. My new doctor told me yesterday that all of the side effects that Viibryd wasn't supposed to have, it ended up having anyway (listed above). Glad to be going off and see what changes happen. Be cautious if/when you do go off, must step down and it takes about a month. Headaches are horrible but do go away. Good luck!"

• bfa...
• July 5, 2019

Vilazodone for Depression "I was prescribed 40 mg Viibryd for anxiety and depression, and it was a wild experience. I took Zoloft for a while but was ready to try something else. Zoloft made me emotionally numb, I gained weight, and my libido was basically nonexistent. My doctor prescribed me Viibryd, and my experience was much different. I didn't feel emotionally numb anymore, and my libido was back to normal. But over time, the new side effects were too much for me. Viibryd gave me the most vibrant, detailed, unbelievable dreams, nightmares, sleep paralysis, and visions I've ever experienced. My brain was wired. It also gave me a difficult-to-describe dry sensation throughout my face and body. I ran out about a week ago and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms of my life: extreme itchiness, fogginess, and sleep problems. I talked to my doctor, and we decided to keep going cold turkey off the drug. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms are over, and now I'm trying Effexor, so wish me luck on this new brain drug."

• dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2019

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "Viibryd was a horrible experience for me. I was on it for close to 2 months. I had migraines every day, nausea every day, hot flashes, cold sweats, and I gained 10 pounds in one month. It's been 2 months since I was taken off of it, and I'm still trying to rebalance my body from the physical chaos it brought me. Viibryd magnified my symptoms, and I was very suicidal to the point where I had to hospitalize myself. I have never experienced as many manic episodes as I had while taking this drug. I'm glad to be off of it."

• jes...
• November 1, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Diarrhea only lasted a day. I was pleasantly surprised how fast Viibryd began working. I felt so much better not even five days into taking it, which NEVER happens with me! I thought I had finally found a medication that worked after six years. About two months into taking it, I had gained about ten pounds, my vision had gotten worse, my sex drive had gone from being very, very high to literally NOTHING (it took three months after I stopped taking it for it to return), and my depression and anxiety were back in full swing. It wasn't normal depression where everything is just boring and you're lethargic and whatnot, it was the angry, scary, unpredictable depression I've only experienced from bad reactions to other medication in the past."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been on Viibryd for around 6 months. I started on 10 mg, moving to 20, then to 30, and I'm currently at 40 mg. I didn't realize the side effects I was having were from this medicine until I talked to a pharmacist and started reading reviews. I have gained 15 pounds with no change in eating habits and exercising 3 days a week. I have crazy dreams when I do sleep, I'm very moody, irritable, and just can't stand to be around myself. I stopped taking it 4 days ago, and my skin is itching off, and I have no energy. I see the doctor Friday and hope to try Paxil since I've been on Lexapro, Pristiq, Cymbalta, Effexor, and none of them have worked for my panic attacks and depression."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2023

Vilazodone for Depression "In the 3 weeks I took Viibryd, I experienced elevated happiness and energy. I noticed these effects almost immediately. However, the side effects proved too terrible for me to continue. The diarrhea never stopped, nightly horrific dreams of death, and a gain of 10 lbs in 3 weeks. I’ve never had weight problems before, and if anything, I was exercising more on this medicine and eating less. It’s all belly bloat. It’s a shame because, during the day, my mental state was much better, but the night terrors were just too much."

• Ano...
• April 18, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "I tried Viibryd after being on citalopram for a year and a half to see if it would be better. I had no problems transitioning, but I gained about 10 pounds in the first weeks I was on it full dosage. I never fluctuate more than 1-2 lbs, have weighed the same for 10 years, and despite eating less and exercising twice as much, I couldn't lose the weight. After about 2 months, I switched back to citalopram and lost all the weight in about 2 weeks, without going to the gym."

• Suz...
• August 14, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I have been on Celexa and Paxil about 11 years ago, when my third daughter was born to deal with depression and anxiety (she has severe health issues and disabilities). I had gained a total of 60 pounds, so after a year I stopped taking them. Felt too medicated and hated the weight gain. Since then, I recently lost my mom and have a lot of stress, very depressed, crying all the time, felt I had nothing to look forward to. I went to my psychiatrist, and he prescribed Viibryd. I have had a great experience, I am also on Wellbutrin. This cocktail is great for me, I don't feel medicated, very positive feelings, I am very up and don't have mood swings or outbursts of anger. I have a great sex drive, I don't argue with my husband anymore."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "Best medicine ever. I am bipolar and weaning off Cymbalta, so the only downfall I have is the withdrawlish feeling from getting off the Cymbalta. No diarrhea, no nausea, just about a 10 lb weight gain, but I feel great, so the weight thing can be what it is, I will be fat and feel better!"

• Cyd...
• April 10, 2015

Vilazodone for Depression "I was on Viibryd for a month and was really gaining weight fast! Doctor switched me to Brintellix 10 mg. I knew it was too strong for me, so I dropped down to 5 mg. Weights coming off, and I feel so much better!"

• Cou...
• August 15, 2015

Vilazodone for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on several different antidepressants over the past 18 years, but I must say that I've felt the best being on Viibryd. In the beginning, I did suffer from diarrhea for approximately 6 weeks. The only two complaints I have with it are that I have a decreased sex drive, and I've gained almost 45 lbs over 1.5 years."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

Vilazodone for Depression "I switched from Pristiq (which I had been on for over a year) to Viibryd after my blood pressure went up. I had some of the stomach issues at the beginning, but nothing too bad. I began with 10 mg, then 20, then to 30 mg very slowly, as I had read about the side effects. In all, I was on this medicine for about 8 weeks. Over this time, my whole body basically bloated up. I looked like I was pregnant! I gained about 10 pounds and craved carbohydrates. I was also having nightmares. Mind-wise, I believe I should have been at a higher dose, but in the end, I opted to change medication due to the stomach bloating. I have been on Celexa and Pristiq, but the stomach component of Viibryd seems to affect me badly."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I was given Viibryd for generalized anxiety disorder. It sure delivered... but at a cost. The first couple of weeks that I was on this drug, I had vivid dreams. Some scary. When I forgot to take my pill one morning, I felt very foggy all day at work, and then my face got super itchy. I read that I shouldn't take it when I got home, but to wait until the next day and take it the next morning, as usual. BAD IDEA!! I had horrible brain zaps! Like someone put a live wire on my head. When I finally fell asleep, I had the worst dream ever. This dream woke me up, and I was terrified. I took the pill at midnight, ASAP, and it helped. Within an hour I was asleep. Not an experience I would ever want to go through again!!! So, I was on this drug for a few years, and while it really helped my social anxiety. Never got a nervous stomach ache while on this pill - and I even started with a direct sales business and was actually teaching small classes at people's homes. (That was unheard of for me! I was the shyest kid in class back in my childhood days). I was feeling super confident, but started having gastric issues and gained 30 lbs. I have always been very thin, so 30 lbs made me feel horrible about myself. The drug inflamed my stomach and made me a sugar fiend. Basically, I felt like a heroin addict - but with sugar/carbs. I hated myself because I couldn't stop eating dessert! The sugar made my depression worse and super fatigued. I didn't realize that any of this was caused by the drug, so I saw numerous doctors, had ultrasounds, GIs, colonoscopies, etc., and spent a ton of $$ on those doctor/lab bills. I prayed and prayed and saw that others had some similar reactions. I weaned off the pill and lost 21 lbs so far. I feel pretty normal. But I am still taking Bupropion for depression. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG!!!!"

• Cat...
• December 29, 2019

Vilazodone "This was the third med I tried for generalized anxiety. This was somewhat effective, but it made me eat nonstop (and the first two weeks of being constantly in the bathroom were not fun!) It was like I couldn’t control myself. I gained about 12 lbs in about two months, blood pressure up, and was feeling angry. After I switched meds, I lost a few pounds and felt more like myself. This was not the med for me."