Viibryd and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Zes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Depression "My conditions are panic disorder/PTSD/GAD. I’d like to start by saying that the reviews on this forum have been really helpful for me, as I’ve been trying different meds for months. With that being said, Viibryd did not work well for me. I started on 20 mg for 2 weeks, then increased to 40 mg, while titrating down off of Zoloft (that will be a whole different review). The nausea was unreal! I saw a naturopath who prescribed some supplements, so for a week or so I felt great. But, I started noticing that I would get super angry and depressed. So, my dr said we can cut back down to 20 mg and see how it does. No improvement. One thing that was consistent with Viibryd was the nausea. I vomited every morning the entire time I took it. So, I’m switching to Paxil. So far, I’ve gone 4 days without vomiting. It’s such a relief. Medication works differently for everyone, but it helps to know that you’re not alone with any of the side effects. I give Viibryd a big thumbs down."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2023

For Depression "I was optimistic and wanted to love this medication. It, unfortunately, caused me to have profound side effects that I cannot attribute to anything else as I take no other medications and experienced no notable events to alter my psychiatric state. Experienced anxiety and mild depression which resulted in this prescription. Week 1: diarrhea, stomach cramps. Week 2: constipation and no notable mental changes. Week 3: believed that anxiety was easier to manage but still somewhat depressed mood. Inordinately sleepy. Week 4: unable to wake up in the morning with my daughter all week (normally wake with her daily without issue). Anxiety is better, but depression seems mild to more severe. I attributed it to poor sleep despite resting an excess amount of hours per night. Week 5: all comes to a head: weeks of feeling lethargic yet unrested, constipation for 8 days, one morning had a profound and uncharacteristic weeping spell. Nightmares. Next day worse weeping spell. I do not ordinarily cry. Stopped taking this medication."

• Ake...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2019

For Depression "I’ve been on Viibryd for about 3 weeks. Still on 10 mg, actually started on 5 mg because I’m sensitive to these types of medications. Still feel very out of it, depression same or sometimes worse. I used to take Cymbalta, and it worked okay, took some time to kick in. Going to try to stick it out with Viibryd a few more weeks. Hoping it will “kick in” soon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 29, 2012

For Depression "I have been on this medication for about 6 months now. Overall, I feel good. The first month was awful. I was so sick to my stomach I could hardly function, but I stuck with it after all the past medications that failed. After a month, I felt great, no anxiety/depression. After a few months, things started to level out. At times, I still feel depressed or have panic attacks, but it is much, much better than before. This medication gave me my life back. I take this medication at night. If I miss a dose, I get very sick and cannot even get out of bed until I take it, which is a huge downfall. Also, I absolutely cannot drink any bit of alcohol while on this medication, or else I feel very ill."

• bfa...
• July 5, 2019

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."

• jes...
• November 1, 2012

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."

• Ano...
• April 21, 2017

For Depression "I hope this message finds you well and that whatever your troubles may be, you may find a light through the clouds of your depression. I recently tried taking this medication and did not have a very positive experience. This was my first time taking an antidepressant in many, many years. It was not very helpful for me. It made me feel tired, apathetic, and emotionally 'flat,' if this makes sense. I know that every person's experience is different, and I believe one must do what is best for him or herself. After about a month, I stopped taking these altogether, as I did not think they were very helpful. I am now drinking smoothies and getting more sunlight instead. Stay strong, my friends! Peace be with you."

• bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor weaned me off of Fetzima and onto this drug from hell. The loose bowels are very annoying (I had two feet of my colon removed 8 years ago, so perhaps I am super-sensitive). I'll start taking Pepto Bismol or something, see if that helps. I have every side effect. I am mean, nasty, aggressive: you name it, I have it. The good side is I am sleeping much better than I have for 50 years, and I have a bit of energy, which I love. But my depression is hideous. Because I have had some improvement, the doctor says stay the course; I'll feel better in three more weeks. We shall see."

• DJB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "After years of struggling, the medical solution was always to increase your current dose and add another medication. Last year, I took the Genesight DNA test. I started Viibryd at 10 mg for the first week and then increased it to 20 mg. It's been a struggle to adapt, I have had episodes of crying, feeling anger, sadness, and a whole gamut of emotions. Surprisingly, after 2 weeks, I began to feel its effects, and the good continues to build. I have not had any stomach issues as I take it daily with food and a glass of milk. Thank goodness, so far, no sexual side effects. Finally, I have a medication that my body metabolizes correctly. I recommend the Genesight testing, for it will help you narrow down which medication works best for you."

• Anonymous
• December 25, 2011

For Depression "I was prescribed Viibryd for Major Depressive Disorder. Felt a little better after two weeks on the 30-day sample pack, but when I got up to 40 mg after two pills, I started experiencing drug-induced psychosis (heard a man's voice whispering one morning while I was alone, which I never had before), and also felt no emotions and felt floaty, like nothing mattered. Then my doctor dropped me back down to 20 mg. Generally, I have been great around other people, but only recently in the past few weeks have I started feeling a heaviness in my chest, like I feel like crying, and a constant feeling of being fat even though I exercise and eat regularly and only weigh around 135-139 lbs. I'm not sure if the medication is working for me anymore."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have had a great deal of stressors over the last 4 years. This has led to a diagnosis of MDD. I have taken many different depression/anxiety meds as well as trying a couple of mood stabilizers. Nothing has helped long term. I realized that most of these meds either don't change my depressive state or I become very depressed, lash out, and I'm suicidal. I haven't been on anything for about 6 months. Seeing a new doctor, and he suggested we try Viibryd and gave me a sample. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! I felt good the first day, then started becoming sad. Ended up lashing out at my husband and teenage kids by the evening of day 4. Day 5 was a nightmare day. Anger, depression, wanted to just leave my family, and felt very suicidal and self-harming. I was not able to work the following day. I stopped immediately. Although I am still agitated, I feel like today I could cry at the drop of a hat, but I'm not wanting to lash out or be suicidal. Worst med possible for me."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have had a great deal of stressors over the last 4 years. This has led to a diagnosis of MDD. I have taken many different depression/anxiety meds as well as trying a couple of mood stabilizers. Nothing has helped long term. I realized that most of these meds either don't change my depressive state or I become very depressed, lash out, and I'm suicidal. I haven't been on anything for about 6 months. Seeing a new doctor, and he suggested we try Viibryd and gave me a sample. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! I felt good the first day, then started becoming sad. Ended up lashing out at my husband and teenage kids by the evening of day 4. Day 5 was a nightmare day. Anger, depression, wanted to just leave my family, and felt very suicidal and self-harming. I was not able to work the following day. I stopped immediately. Although I am still agitated, I feel like today I could cry at the drop of a hat, but I'm not wanting to lash out or be suicidal. Worst med possible for me."

• jay...
• March 2, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Absolutely horrible experience. I would wake up every night at three, having an anxiety attack thinking I was dying. Several nights, I experienced strange, vivid dreams. My depression and anxiety increased immensely, and suicidal ideation set in hardcore. Beware of withdrawals! I have never had so much anger and rage in my life. Even after two weeks, still making my depression worse, as well as anxiety. Do not take this drug."

• Dai...
• April 11, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've taken a lot of different antidepressants, so my old psychiatrist put me on this one because it was new. I wasn't doing well, still felt very depressed, so she increased my dose. That made my depression worse. I was visiting my family, and I lashed out at them, had many episodes, and had to contact the suicide hotline five times. I lashed out at my friends as well while on Viibryd. I couldn't contact my psychiatrist at all, so I stopped taking it on my own, and I instantly started feeling better and noticed a difference."

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

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."

• mro...
• September 26, 2013

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."

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

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."

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

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."

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

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)."

• Mor...
• September 19, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm 16 years old and I have been on several anxiety/depression medications including Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Propranolol, Klonopin, etc. I take 40 mg once a day and this is the first medication that actually works for me. All of the other ones made me suicidal or more depressed. I can definitely tell when I miss a dose of Viibryd, I get sad and very emotional. I've been taking Viibryd for about 8 months. I have gained 15 pounds, but I don't know if that is because of the medicine or not. It really bothers me, though. I have less of an appetite and sleep way too much, sometimes 4 naps a day. I fall asleep during school. I'm super emotional, I easily get annoyed, sad, and angry. I cry a lot. I have no idea if any of these are side effects of the meds or not."

• ber...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2018

For Depression "Have had depression for years. Also bipolar. Have been on just about everything, and it always stops working or just does not work. Viibryd worked for about 8 months, then just stopped working. It made me emotionless. I don’t even know what or how to feel. Did not really have any other bad side effects. Am now weaning off. Have had 2 episodes of loud explosions and a few bad dreams, but nothing unbearable. I really want off this med. I just want my emotions back. Oh yes. Have had hair loss. Not happy about that. Did lose 40 lb, but that’s because of keto the last year. I just think this med will work for some people and will just STOP working for some people, but it did not prove to be effective for me. And what will it do long term."

• ANO...
• November 30, 2011

"I took Viibryd, and it made me feel worse than before! I took it for about 2 months. Everything seemed fine, but after 2 months, I felt these feelings of low self-esteem (because of another issue, but the Viibryd made the problem seem 20 times worse) and overall terrible. I was on Paxil before, and I think I was better off still on that! I take Effexor now and feel much better. Viibryd was not for me."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "This is a horrible medication. Within months of taking it, I became agitated and very depressed, and my anxiety level was definitely at the top level. Things didn't get better, the longer I was on it, the worse I felt. I had bad side effects: dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, jerking in my body. I started jerking one day and got dizzy and fell and broke my foot and dislocated my heel. It was a bad break, and it's a side effect from that medication. My life went from okay to bad, so after surgery is when I started putting it all together-the why everything started getting so bad. My health problems were so questionable, I didn't know what was going on with my life until I realized those pills. When I first started taking them, that's when one of my problems first began. I had bad nightmares, just things that seemed so real. I couldn't wait to wake up and dreaded falling asleep."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2025

For Depression "Viibryd was the only antidepressant medication I have tried that did not cause emotional blunting or an increase in anxiety (like Effexor did for me). Even though I believe my depression is caused by undiagnosed/untreated ADHD and ASD, this medication has been good to me. I found that it made me more willing to try new things and interact with people more freely, despite a long-time struggle with social anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2021

For Depression "Viibryd is god-awful. I started on 10 mg for a week, and it made my anxiety and depression so much worse. I constantly had racing thoughts, flu-like symptoms. Made me feel like a zombie, and I was up for 3 days before I switched to a new medicine. I am still having a little trouble sleeping, and I've been off it a week and a half. Please, if your doctor tells you about this medication, do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY!!!"