Vilazodone Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 23, 2024.

Applies to vilazodone: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to help prevent any unwanted effects. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take vilazodone with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], methylene blue injection, phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]). Do not start taking vilazodone during the 2 weeks after you stop a MAO inhibitor and wait 2 weeks after stopping vilazodone before you start taking a MAO inhibitor. If you take them together or do not wait 2 weeks, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, a sudden high body temperature, an extremely high blood pressure, or severe seizures.

Vilazodone may cause some teenagers and young adults to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. Some people may have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. If you or your caregiver notice any of these unwanted effects, tell your doctor right away. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.

Vilazodone may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if taken together with some medicines. Do not use vilazodone with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, meperidine, methadone, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Demerol®, Methadose®, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with vilazodone.

This medicine may increase your risk for bleeding problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking other medicines that thin the blood, including aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, also called NSAIDs (eg, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®), or warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).

Do not suddenly Stop taking vilazodone without checking first with your doctor. If you have been instructed to stop taking vilazodone, ask your doctor how to slowly decrease the dose. This will decrease your chance of having withdrawal symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, headaches, vomiting, increased sweating, irritability, nightmares, seizures, or prickling or tingling feelings.

Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) may occur with this medicine. This is more common in elderly patients, those who are taking diuretic medicines for high blood pressure, or those who have decreased amounts of fluid in the body due to severe diarrhea or vomiting. Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, difficulty concentrating, headaches, memory problems, weakness, and unsteadiness.

The use of alcohol is not recommended in patients who are taking this medicine.

Vilazodone may cause some people to become dizzy or drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Check with your doctor right away if you have decreased interest in sexual intercourse, delayed or inability to have an orgasm in women, inability to have or keep an erection in men, or loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance. These could be symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of vilazodone

Some side effects of vilazodone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of vilazodone

Along with its needed effects, vilazodone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking vilazodone:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to vilazodone: oral kit, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly observed side effects were: diarrhea, nausea, headache, and dry mouth.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 29%), nausea (up to 24%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal distension, abdominal pain, pain, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal discomfort, acute pancreatitis, upper abdominal pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia, sedation, somnolence, tremor
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Migraine, serotonin syndrome
• Frequency not reported: Akathisia, paresthesia/electric shock sensation, restless legs syndrome, sensory disturbances
• Postmarketing reports: Sleep paralysis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, abnormal orgasm, decreased libido, insomnia, restlessness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Activation of mania/hypomania, panic attack
• Frequency not reported: Agitation, anorgasmia, anxiety, clinical worsening, confusion, discontinuation symptoms, dysphoric mood, emotional lability, lethargy, seizures, suicide risk
• Postmarketing reports: Irritability, hallucinations, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased appetite, increased weight
• Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ventricular extrasystoles^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, dry eye
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cataracts^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis, night sweats
• Postmarketing reports: Drug eruption, generalized rash, rash, urticaria^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal Bleeding^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are some common side effects of antidepressants?

Further information

Vilazodone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer