What Is Vilazodone?

Vilazodone is a prescription antidepressant used to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Sold under the brand name Viibryd, Vilazodone belongs to a drug class called serotonin partial agonist-reuptake inhibitors (SPARIs). It was originally developed by Forest Laboratories (now part of Allergan/AbbVie) and received FDA approval for treating MDD in adults. Unlike traditional SSRIs, Vilazodone combines serotonin reuptake inhibition with partial agonism at the 5-HT1A receptor, giving it a unique dual mechanism of action.

Vilazodone is not a controlled substance and is available as a generic medication. It comes in oral tablet form in three strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg.

What Is Vilazodone Used For?

FDA-Approved Use

Vilazodone is FDA-approved for one indication:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults — This is the only officially approved use. MDD is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue lasting at least two weeks.

Off-Label Uses

Some providers prescribe Vilazodone off-label for other conditions, though these uses are not FDA-approved:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

If your doctor prescribes Vilazodone for something other than MDD, they've determined the potential benefits outweigh the risks for your situation.

How Is Vilazodone Taken?

Vilazodone has specific dosing instructions that are important to follow:

Dosing Schedule

1. Week 1: 10 mg once daily with food
2. Week 2: 20 mg once daily with food
3. Week 3 and beyond: 40 mg once daily with food (target dose)

Important Instructions

• Must be taken with food. This is critical — taking Vilazodone on an empty stomach reduces its absorption by up to 50%, which means the medication won't work as well.
• Take it at the same time each day. Consistency helps maintain steady drug levels in your body.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break it.
• Do not stop abruptly. If you need to stop taking Vilazodone, your doctor will taper your dose gradually. Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms like dizziness, nausea, irritability, and brain zaps.

Dose Adjustments

• If you take a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (like Ketoconazole or Clarithromycin), your dose should be reduced to 20 mg daily.
• If you take a strong CYP3A4 inducer (like Carbamazepine or Rifampin), your doctor may increase your dose up to 80 mg daily.

For details on medications that affect Vilazodone dosing, see our guide on Vilazodone drug interactions.

Who Should Not Take Vilazodone?

Vilazodone is not safe for everyone. Do not take it if you:

• Are taking an MAO inhibitor — Including Isocarboxazid (Marplan), Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Parnate), or Selegiline (Emsam). You must wait at least 14 days between stopping an MAOI and starting Vilazodone (or vice versa). Combining them can cause serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition.
• Are taking IV Methylene Blue or Linezolid — These can also trigger serotonin syndrome when combined with Vilazodone.
• Have a known allergy to Vilazodone — If you've had a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of the medication.

Use with Caution

• Patients under 18 — Vilazodone is not approved for pediatric use. Antidepressants carry an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents.
• Young adults under 25 — Increased monitoring is recommended due to the FDA boxed warning about suicidal thoughts.
• Elderly patients — Higher risk of hyponatremia (low sodium).
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women — Use only if the potential benefit justifies the risk. Third-trimester use may cause complications in newborns.
• Patients with liver problems — May require closer monitoring.
• Patients with a history of seizures — Vilazodone may lower the seizure threshold.
• Patients with bipolar disorder — Antidepressants can trigger manic episodes.

For more on side effects and warning signs, read our post on Vilazodone side effects.

How Much Does Vilazodone Cost?

The cost of Vilazodone depends on whether you get the brand or generic, and whether you have insurance:

• Brand Viibryd (without insurance): $175 to $400 for a 30-day supply
• Generic Vilazodone (without insurance): $175 to $383 at retail price
• Generic Vilazodone (with a discount coupon): $28 to $60 for a 30-day supply

Insurance Coverage

Generic Vilazodone is covered by most commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D. Brand Viibryd is typically placed on a higher formulary tier (Tier 4 — specialty or non-preferred brand), meaning higher copays. Some insurance plans require step therapy — trying a generic SSRI first — before approving Vilazodone.

Savings Programs

• Viibryd Savings Card — AbbVie offers a manufacturer savings card for commercially insured patients. Eligible patients may pay as little as $0 per fill. Not valid for Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare.
• Patient Assistance Programs — The AbbVie Patient Assistance Foundation provides Viibryd at no cost to qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients. Additional resources include NeedyMeds.org and RxAssist.org.

For a complete breakdown, see our guide on how to save money on Vilazodone.

Final Thoughts

Vilazodone is a modern antidepressant with a unique mechanism that sets it apart from older SSRIs. It's a solid option for adults with Major Depressive Disorder, especially if you've experienced sexual side effects with other antidepressants or haven't responded well to traditional SSRIs. The key things to remember: take it with food, follow the titration schedule, and stay in communication with your prescriber.

If you're interested in how Vilazodone compares to other antidepressants at a molecular level, read our post on how Vilazodone works. Need help finding it at a pharmacy? Use Medfinder to check stock near you.