Viibryd and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Mom...
• June 16, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Truly the worst medication I have ever been on. I had all of the bad side effects: diarrhea in the middle of the night, had to change the sheets, nightmares so bad that I slept with the lights on, brain zaps, migraines still to this day even after being off of this medication for 2.5 years. Dizzy spells, blackouts, I couldn't even drive while taking this. I'm sure there is more. I weaned myself off of this medication against my doctor's orders because he was convinced that this was a miracle drug, needless to say, he is no longer my doc."

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

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."

• Ave...
• December 27, 2011

For Depression "I only gave Viibryd a 5 out of 10 due to one thing: diarrhea. If it wasn't for that, I would still be taking it. It was a hit-and-miss thing for me. I would go over a week and be fine, and then week after week I would have diarrhea at around 2-3 times a week. Tried it with food and after food and didn't seem to help. Don't get me wrong, I can deal with a little diarrhea, but this was insane diarrhea with bad stomach cramps. Took it around 6 months and weaned myself off it. Would not recommend quitting cold turkey. Even weaning myself off at 20 mg made me really irritable for about 2 weeks."

• Fai...
• January 5, 2013

For Depression "I've been on this for two weeks. When I first started at 10, I had some digestive trouble, nothing bad, and I had some lethargy and brain fuzziness. By day three, I noticed my anxiety increasing and constant dull headaches. Day 5, I felt better. Day 7, I got nausea and slight diarrhea. Days 8, 9, and 10, I was physically better but more easily agitated. Day twelve, bad nausea and diarrhea for 10 hours. No pill today, just not for me. Still have the headaches throughout!"

• goo...
• November 12, 2018

For Depression "I was on Viibryd 20 mg and increased to 40 mg 5 months later because I wasn’t feeling better. The biggest mistake I made was to pass off my deepening depression as me just getting worse rather than seeing it as a side effect of the drug. I lived in fear. I was constantly terrified. I was afraid to leave my house, full of anxiety, panic attack after panic attack, unbelievable nightmares, heart palpitations, diarrhea, and brain zaps. Brain zap for me: It would get extremely loud in my head and build up. I would cover my ears and close my eyes. And wait for it to spike and ultimately end. I don’t know how else to describe it. I felt like I was spiraling down into becoming legitimately insane. I was sane enough to know my thoughts were not normal. I remember asking, “Am I going crazy? Could this have anything to do with the medicine?” Please do not take this drug. It is terrifying."

• Bir...
• May 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Been on a plethora of antidepressants most of my life. This one, by far, has been the worst. I had all of the negative side effects pretty intensely. Insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches, severe agitation, visual hallucinations, feeling like I was crawling out of my skin, sweats, and psychosis so bad to the point I blacked out and attacked my best friend physically. Thanks be to God my friend was there, and I'm not in jail! Just based on my personal experience, I think this drug needs to be tested out more thoroughly. I felt like a wretched guinea pig on it. I stopped the drug a few days ago... going through the horrible withdrawals now. The 'bath salts' of antidepressants!!!!!"

• Whi...
• April 16, 2019

For Depression "I've struggled over 10+ years with anxiety. After being on almost 10 different medications that didn't work, my doctor prescribed me Viibryd last week. I have a constant upset stomach, mostly diarrhea and excessive gas. I feel less anxious with this medication, but I'm scared these side effects won't go away. I'm a full-time mom and nursing student and cannot constantly stay in a bathroom. Has anyone had this experience, and did it go away after time?"

• hwh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started this medication via a sample pack about two months ago. I went up to 20 mg. My doctor thought that I should stay on it longer even though I felt it was doing nothing for me. Now, after two months, I have started having lower abdominal pain, which turns into discomfort and pain again. My bowels are all over the chart from diarrhea to very slight constipation. There is no rhyme or reason. I also now have very uncomfortable bloating. I have a feeling of fullness in my lower abdomen, and had an ultrasound done by my OBGYN to see if I was having issues with my ovaries or uterus, and that came back clean and clear. I also have random nausea. Sometimes early in the day, other times later on at night."

• joe...
• July 24, 2017

For Depression "The first 3 weeks on Viibryd has little to no side effects. Starting on the 4th week, all the side effects came in all at once. Insomnia, swelling, joint pain, diarrhea, dizziness, dark thoughts, nightmares, and mood swings. Saw my doctor, and she told me to stop taking it immediately. This medication is definitely not for me."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2022

For Depression "Horrible experience, to say the least. I took my first dose (10 mg), and within 30 minutes, I became incredibly nauseous, but it was manageable. Around midnight, the nausea became worse, and I was up all night violently vomiting with diarrhea until 6 a.m. consistently and still throughout the entire next day. The next day, I was still having issues with dizziness, diarrhea, and just feeling very off! I'm very sensitive to medications, so be aware if you are as well. I won't be taking this medication anymore as two days with my head in the toilet was enough for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2012

For Depression "It worked when nothing in the past had. No real side effects, I did have some diarrhea, but it subsided in a day or two. Plus, I'm a girl, and I usually have the opposite problem, so it didn't bother me."

• 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."

• 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."

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

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."

• Pon...
• July 24, 2015

For Depression "This medicine almost killed me. Symptoms worst at 40 mg but there earlier. I ended up in the ER twice and was admitted to the hospital for days after a month with uncontrollable diarrhea, vomiting, and the worst abdominal cramps I've ever had before anyone realized it was the Viibryd. I pass kidney stones regularly, so I have a super high pain tolerance, and the lower abdominal pain from Viibryd was as bad, if not worse, than that. I had uncontrollable leg and body spasms, and agitation and anxiety through the roof. Tapering off the stuff ended up being just as bad, every time I took the tapered dose, I felt like I was taking poison, and I would go into convulsions. Less serious side effects including eye pain, odd vaginal discharge."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2012

For Depression "On day 1 of Viibryd, I felt sick (i.e., diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps). The benefits definitely outweigh the cons. My depression and anxiety have decreased significantly. I'll be hitting week 3 (40 mg) of Viibryd, and I feel so much better. I don't think negatively anymore or feel too sensitive about certain topics. I finally feel normal again because I have been battling my depression. I will continue using Viibryd."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2011

For Depression "My husband has been taking this for depression and anxiety for a little over 3 weeks now... up to 40 mg. The only negative is the diarrhea and nausea. This is extreme at the present. The good thing is that he does feel better mentally and there are no sexual side effects (as it was with Zoloft). I am hoping the negative side effects go away soon."

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2025

For Depression "I have been on 20 mg Viibryd for over a year. It has been great as far as depression goes. BUT I have explosive diarrhea every day! Been to several doctors to find out why. No answers. It has helped so much for my depression that I hate to get off of it. But it's to the point that I'm having to stay home because of accidents. If you do decide to take this, you better be prepared to have this side effect. It's really debilitating."

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

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!!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started 20 mg about 6 months ago with another AD, seems to take the edge off my depression better than anything else I've tried. I've been through the gauntlet, was in 3 different hospitals and on a handful of different meds. I tried ECT twice and I think that made me worse... was approved for TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation), did 45 treatments and still don't feel like my old self. I'm now on 40 mg Viibryd and 100 mg Pristiq and am relatively stable. I have to use the bathroom at least 5+ times a day, the diarrhea side effect just won't go away. My doc doesn't want to try new meds anymore, so I'm stuck on my current regimen till I find a new doc. I'd recommend Viibryd if you can deal with the side effects."

• WED...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Diagnosed with major depression. Started using this drug after taking Lexapro, Zoloft, and Elavil. I suffered from nausea when this medication was taken without food. I was told that I would experience diarrhea as an initial side effect; however, this became chronic. I missed one dose (after being on this medication and taking it consistently at the same time of day each day for four months) and had a major crying fit-to the extent that my nose started bleeding. I have been switched to Brintellix as the side effects of this medication were too extreme."

• Tim...
• October 15, 2019

For Depression "Having a lot of anxiety. I am not impressed with Viibryd. I was on Prozac for a while and decided to look for something that would have fewer sexual side effects. Tried Lexapro and, to be honest, didn't give it enough time to give it a fair review. Viibryd has been pretty much like a placebo for me. Except side effects like zero desire for sex, diarrhea, and nausea. I have been on Viibryd for a few months. Tapering now and considering kissing the SSRIs goodbye altogether. Looking at other as-needed meds for anxiety like hydroxyzine."

• isn...
• February 23, 2012

For Depression "My Dr. gave me a sample pack to try, she asked me to start with 5 mg and work my way up to 20. I'm up to 10 mg but have terrible gas and diarrhea, thinking about going back down to 5 mg since I did feel better. Unfortunately, no one ever feels good when you have gas and explosive diarrhea. Also, my sex drive is back to normal, which was a great surprise. I'm going to stay on it a little bit longer and just stay on the 5 mg. Hopefully, the bad side effects will go away, if not, I will have to stop taking it."

• 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."