Viibryd and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mar...
• September 2, 2020

For Depression "I have had issues with MDD and GAD for years. I was originally put on Lexapro, and I quickly noticed a difference. I no longer felt depressed or hopeless, but I was tired all the time with little energy to do anything. After 6+ months, I went on Wellbutrin for a few days and was paranoid and on edge! I was put on Viibryd 10 mg for 1 week and 20 mg after that once per day. Initially, the side effects were nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, and headaches. I stuck it out for 2 weeks like that. I began taking my meds at night instead of in the morning. The initial side effects went away, and I was able to sleep well, eat normally, and had energy to do things that I enjoyed. My focus and mood improved so much that my husband noticed instantly. This is one of the meds with the least sexual side effects. I was still able to continue with my sex life with few issues. Make sure to take your meds on time, a missed dose will quickly cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, and irritability."

• Baz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Well, Viibryd. What to say, from looking at the general response, it either works amazingly or the side effects can be debilitating. As for my experience? This has been a wonderful drug. I have not had GeneSight testing (I wish I had) but have gone through the general ringer with the old-fashioned trial and error. No other SSRI/SNRI/DNRI/TCA has worked for me, but Viibryd has! I totally disagree that 20mg is the optimal dose, it’s all subjective. 20mg worked for me for 3 weeks, then completely pooped out. Now up to 40mg and two days in, and I feel great. So if it stops working and you feel it had worked prior, do not be afraid to increase after talking to your doctor versus stopping taking it. But yes, there are side effects - diarrhea (which went away) & headaches, increased RLS being the mainstay but tolerable. And my sex life has greatly improved on this drug. I give it a ten out of ten. FYI - I take Gabapentin for the RLS at night, which helped immensely. Good luck. Godspeed."

• Neo...
• October 4, 2020

For Depression "I’ve been on several medications for anxiety/depression. I get severe anxiety with occasional depression. When I first started Viibryd, I was extremely irritable and constantly crying. I stuck it out for a while (at the time, I was too depressed to go to the doctor to fix it), and it ended up getting a lot better. The side effects went away, and I was okay. I’ve been on Viibryd for about 2 years now, and I would say the worst side effect is the sleep issues. I work third shift, and I generally take it in the morning (around 7:30 am) when I get home from work. If I don’t take it around that time on my days off, I feel like I’m in a coma and can’t get up. I’m like sleeping but aware. And I feel like I’m constantly trying to drag myself out of bed, and it takes several tries before I feel that my mind is strong enough. Then when I get up and take it, I have a headache almost all day. If I take it at the exact time daily, it’s a pretty good drug. I hope all this makes sense!"

• 4N ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2013

For Depression "The first weeks were a bit difficult. I had diarrhea but I assure you this won't last. Take it with food, not just milk. I did have some nightmares from which I could not easily awaken when I stepped up to Viibryd 20 and was not careful about taking the medicine at exactly the same time, resolved by taking it in the morning instead of the evening. Viibryd has only a 24-hour half-life. I did have some temporary morning headaches when it was past time for me to take the medicine. The doctor advised taking Viibryd 20 at dinner time, which left enough in my system to avoid morning headaches. I'm back to just 40, feeling great! Hang in through the side effects-it's life-changing! Join our Viibryd support group on this site too! See you there!"

• Mic...
• September 12, 2011

For Anxiety "I just started taking Viibryd five days ago. I switched from Zoloft to Viibryd. I was having bad headaches and an overall feeling of yuck in the mornings. I started feeling better at the end of the day when I was going to take my next dose of Zoloft. I also could not sleep. I would wake up at night and then couldn't go back to sleep. Since taking the Viibryd, I have been able to go back to sleep when I woke up in the middle of the night. I am a bit sleepy in the morning, but I am feeling a bit better. I am hopeful about Viibryd. I hope that my condition continues to improve and my sleeping patterns continue to get better as I increase the dosage and as time goes on. Zoloft did help, but the side effects were too much for me."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2012

For Depression "I have suffered from depression since I was 17 and had my first child. I have tried Zoloft, Paxil, and numerous other antidepressants over the years, and none have helped to ease the depression. I have been on Viibryd since November 2011 and at first I had major cravings for alcohol, headaches, and the little electric shock things you feel at the base of your skull and down your neck. These symptoms faded within the first month and a half or so. I have now lost 30 pounds and haven't felt this good since before high school. I really feel like my old self again and I have even gone through some life-changing events, such as my fiance of 12 years leaving me, while taking Viibryd. I was better able to cope thanks to this medication."

• Ms ...
• April 23, 2013

For Depression "I have MDD. I have been on several antidepressants over the past 13 years. I have been using Viibryd 40 mg for about 9 months. The first 2 weeks were hell, but my doctor assured me it would get better, and it did. My only major complaint is that when I miss a dose, I feel it. I get dizzy, have blurred vision, and a severe headache. I mean I miss a dose by several hours, not a day or two! I previously stepped down off of Zoloft because of the same issues, but I set a reminder on my cell phone to take my meds at 8:30 a.m., and I keep a few pills in my car and my purse just in case I have not eaten by 8:30 a.m."

• spi...
• May 10, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Viibryd for longer than 2 years. I had mild gastrointestinal upset in the beginning, but as long as I ate something with it, I was fine. The GI upset only lasted a short time. It took the depression away and made me feel better. The only bad part is when you miss a dose by a couple of hours, you feel awful: dizziness, foggy, headache, sleepy. Also, if you are bipolar, it sends you into a super high, super moody, agitated, overstimulated state. The doctor put me on bipolar medicines in addition to Viibryd, and I have never felt more normal. I highly recommend."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2013

For Depression "When I first started this medication, I had a lot of the dreaded side effects: GI issues, nausea, headache, heartburn, and some sleep problems. I'm now on my third week of taking the medication, and it has changed my whole life. I had such a negative outlook on everything, I thought I hated my job and that my friends were terrible. I just didn't enjoy anything anymore, and since taking this medicine, it's literally like a cloud has lifted. It even changed the way I feel. I feel so calm and relaxed, and it made me realize how tense I was all the time before. The side effects have all gone except for an occasional headache, and I'm still having some sleep problems, but it's getting better. Totally worth feeling as good as I do now. I hope it keeps working!"

• Lut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2013

For Depression "After reading many reviews, I have to say I was very nervous to start Viibryd. I started on a day off from work. The first three days, I had a slight headache and very slight GI issues. After taking Tylenol, my headache was relieved. I definitely recommend taking it with food. I just started week two at 20 mg. So far, so good. No headache or GI upset. No interruption in sleep patterns so far. I feel very calm taking the medication. I will be excited to see what week three brings. My kids and husband thank Viibryd already!"

• Ano...
• May 9, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Viibryd for over a year. After Lexapro for 5 years and building tolerance, my doctor switched to Viibryd. It took my body forever to accept. I started at 5 mg, building up to 40 mg. The nausea was horrid. Stomach issues. I take it at night to avoid nausea. During the first 6 months, I had horrid nightmares, sleep paralysis, rage, exhaustion, anxiety, and headaches. The past 6 months I've had all the above, plus really dark thoughts, brain zaps of EVERY kind, paralyzing depression, and vision issues. The worst is missing a dose. ONE missed pill and my body feels strange, electricity jolts in my brain, and I can NOT function. I was out of town and ran out. After 3 days, I was bedridden. My body hurt, flu-like, wanted to die. I couldn't speak in complete sentences and had to have someone with me at all times, terrified. I stay in a constant state of confusion. My thoughts convinced me that I'm going completely insane. I will begin weaning myself off starting tonight. Would never recommend to anyone!"

• Mom...
• June 1, 2015

For Depression "Viibryd is a saint and a devil. I have been on it for almost two years. It saved me as I was going off the deep end, and I could no longer contain my anger, and every day little things would set me off. The side effects when first going on were awful. The demonic dreams were the worst, but this all happened when I jumped from 20 mg to 40 mg. I solved this by taking 30 mg for a while, then going to 40 mg. No more rage. I take everything in stride. My mind is clear, and I function perfectly. Now for the devil. You have to take this around the same time every day. If I forget, I always know. I start to itch and get a headache. The nightmares, if forgotten, are terrible. It's as if they are real. Just remember to take it every day! Preferably in the morning."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

For Depression "By week 5 on 40 mg, I went through the typical nausea, it all went away nicely after week 3 or so. Then came the arm jerks. They only happened a couple of times, enough to wake me up, the doctor said to keep on the Viibryd. The next day, I had a headache, no big deal though, and a couple of days went by after that without problems. Then, the Titanic crashed. I'd be lying down, ready to go to sleep, and my head would zap like a cattle prod was put to my forehead. Imagine being zapped every time you try to go to sleep? I could not get off this fast enough."

• mom...
• February 11, 2013

For Depression "I have had depression for years with obsessive-compulsive disorder. I have been on everything from Xanax, Effexor, Depakote, Prozac, Zoloft, etc. I started Viibryd 4 days ago along with ADHD medicines and anxiety meds, and I have to say my brain is not running 90 to nothing. I am not depressed and feel good. Yes, my GI system has been upset, and the last two nights I have not slept well, and I have had a mild headache, but because everything is manageable and I mentally feel better, I am willing to tough it out, and hopefully it will stop. The doctor gave me a free starter kit starting with 10 mg for 7 days, then 20 mg for 7 days, and 40 mg for 7 days, so hopefully it will keep going this good or better."

• Jtr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2020

For Depression "I took Paxil for years and felt like it wasn’t working for me anymore. My doctor switched me to Viibryd, I took it for a few weeks at 10 mg. I had unpleasant side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and increased anxiety. She switched me to Lexapro, and I feel a million times better. No side effects at all! This may work for some people, but it definitely did not for me!"

• Kdp...
• January 24, 2014

For Depression "I have taken many different SSRIs for over 30 years. All worked for quite a while, but then I have to be switched to something else. I have been taking Viibryd for 7 months, and I am going to get off of it. I had some gastrointestinal issues at first, some awful, recurring realistic dreams, and withdrawal symptoms when I missed a dose by a few hours. Now I have become an angry person with frequent headaches. My depression is the worst it has ever been. 2% of the population will have problems with a medicine, so be aware that it might not occur when you first start taking Viibryd. My insurance would not cover Viibryd until I had a special consideration form submitted by my doctor."

• sad...
• October 17, 2011

For Depression "Okay with side effects expected - I can put up with being uncomfortable for a good end result... but not okay with fatigue, then rash-itching, then had weird spasms-jerking - would wake me up out of deep sleep. When jumped to blue pill (week 3), felt even more tired. Doc told me to 'just stop pills' if I didn't like them, so I did and went into 8 days of severe headaches. At best, was able to tolerate low dose, but didn't feel 'better.' Seems if you find something that works, it's only for a while - then you either have to find something different, stronger, or a combination of drugs. Was hopeful that Viibryd would be the answer. I would have been willing to try low dose longer but went along with the introductory pamphlet."

• luk...
• June 9, 2015

For Depression "Titrated up to 40 mg over two weeks and then tried riding it out for another couple of weeks. Eventually, I could not take another day and discontinued the medication. Not only did I not experience relief, but I feel my symptoms worsened while taking Viibryd. I was more irritable, restless, angry, upset, and anxious than I had ever been in my entire life. Also experienced a lot of nausea and headaches."

• Pea...
• January 15, 2013

For Depression "I was put on Viibryd because of severe short-term memory loss and anxiety. After taking it for about a month, I haven't been able to sleep through the night. Nausea, diarrhea, severe headaches, and since I moved up to the 20 mg dose, I have been having violent thoughts and starting to get suicidal thoughts. My legs twitch all night. Really frustrated, will be seeing my doctor today. It has helped with my memory loss and episodes of confusion, but side effects are bad. This medicine is not for me."

• luc...
• November 19, 2011

For Depression "3rd week, and I'm only on 15 mg. I am very sensitive to medication. For instance, Zoloft completely zonked me, and all I did was sleep. I started taking Viibryd at night, but didn't sleep for 3 nights. I switched to mornings and have had no trouble sleeping at night. I take it with a meal and have not had nausea, etc. I did have a terrible headache last night and believe the pain in my calves may be a side effect. My muscles in my calves feel like I've run a marathon...very sore and tight. Also, I've been unable to 'stop thinking' and relax. Overall, I think Viibryd is working much better than Zoloft did for me (my sexual side effects are much less than with Zoloft), however, I plan to call my doctor about the leg pain and racing thoughts."

• Mrs...
• February 14, 2013

For Depression "I was put on Viibryd for depression. My husband and I had a miscarriage, and I became depressed and suicidal. That was my breaking point. My doctor put me on Viibryd, and at first, it helped wonderfully. I have been on the 40 mg for 5 months now. I have headaches almost every day, have gotten lightheaded a few times one day, but my depression did get a lot better."

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2017

For Depression "At first, I loved this medicine, it seemed to be working for the depression. But after upping my dosage to 40 mg, I began to experience brain zaps, and if I didn't take it within a 24-hour period, I would feel horrible. A year and a half later, I have experienced brain zaps, sleep paralysis, memory loss, horrible vivid nightmares, headaches, and blurred vision in my left eye. I went to my doctor, and he is weaning me off of it. Just started Friday, 01/13/2017, and I have not been able to function. This medicine is wicked. It needs to be taken off the market."

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

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."

• She...
• September 16, 2017

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."

• Hop...
• March 21, 2019

For Depression "Viibryd is my first experience in treating my mental health through medication. I've never even tried a Xanax or anything, and I'm 27. I wish this would have worked out. I cannot explain how quickly it lifted the entire fog of depression and anxiety from my life. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and the best I've felt in two years. I had side effects for the first week and a half-headaches and nausea, nothing sexual at all-all of which faded quickly. But the insomnia was crushing. I slept exactly 4 hours every single night. I even maintained my usual schedule of running 3-5 miles per day and eating healthy, but like clockwork, my body would snap awake after 4 hours of sleep with almost no chance of falling back. I am a 7-9 hour sleeper. More than once, I found myself chugging wine from the bottle at 4 AM and ripping my CBD pen to get back to sleep, all while crying out of frustration. My doctor just switched me to Trintellix, so here's to hoping that alleviates it."