Vilazodone (antidepressant) uses and side effects

This drug is basically used to intervene pharmacologically in symptoms of depression.

One of the characteristics of pharmacological treatments is that they do not always act in the same way in all patients. Hence the need to have a wide variety of drugs that can be adjusted to the specific needs of each person.

In the case of antidepressants, vilazodone is one of them, vilazodone is one of the drugs included in the wide range of existing medications to combat depression. existing to combat depression. In this article we will analyze its characteristics, form of administration, possible side effects and precautions to be taken during its consumption.

What is vilazodone?

Vilazodone, known commercially under the name Viibryd, is an antidepressant drug developed and marketed in the United States since 2011, when it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).at which time it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This drug, approved for use in the treatment of major depressive disorder, is characterized as a combination of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a serotonin receptor partial agonist, and buspirone, an anxiolytic agent that potentiates the effects of the SSRI.

Vilazodone works by helping to restore the balance of a number of brain substances, including increasing the amount of serotonin in our brain. As a result, this antidepressant drug helps maintain mental balance..

Likewise, some of the main effects that vilazodone exerts on the mental health of the person include improvement in mood, favoring the regulation and improvement of sleep cycles, increasing appetite and energy levels and, finally, it can help to restore the person's interest in daily life activities.

Finally, studies on the effectiveness of this drug have not shown results that favor vilazodone over other types of antidepressants; therefore, its administration or prescription is subject to the preferences of the prescribing professional.

In which cases is it administered?

As mentioned in the previous point, vilazodone is used as one of the drugs of choice for the following one of the drugs of choice for the treatment of major depression and depressive syndromes.. These disorders are characterized by psychological or mental disturbances in which the person experiences negative feelings and sadness in a permanent and acute manner.

In a great number of occasions, the emotional symptoms of depression are accompanied by low self-esteem, a decrease or loss of interest in those activities or tasks that were previously stimulating or attractive, a decrease in energy and a feeling of constant fatigue and, finally, experiencing physical pain without apparent cause such as gastric pains.

Depressive disorders, as well as those syndromes or conditions with depressive symptomatology, can become an obstacle for the patient's daily life, generating interferences in their daily activities, modifying their routines, as well as their eating habits, sleep cycles and general health. If left untreated, the symptomatology can worsen to such an extent that between 2 and 7% of people with depression resort to suicide as a way to end the suffering they are experiencing.

How is it administered?

Vilazodone is marketed in tablet form for oral administration.. The usual dose of this drug is one tablet per day, always taken at the same time and preferably with food.

However, these are general administration recommendations. Normally, the medical professional will adjust the treatment dose to the patient's needs.The patient should follow the instructions given by the medical professional to the letter. This means that under no circumstances can the patient modify the recommended dose of vilazodone, neither by excess nor by defect.

Because vilazodone is a psychiatric medication, treatment is likely to be initiated gradually, starting with lower doses and increasing over the first few weeks of treatment.

The effects of vilazodone may take up to eight weeks to be perceived by the patient, so whether the patient does not experience improvement or perceives any side effects, the patient should never stop taking the medication. should never stop taking the medication or alter the dosage without first consulting his or her physician.. The consequences associated with abrupt withdrawal of vilazodone may include severe headaches, mood disturbances, strong outbursts of anger, dizziness, agitation, increased sweating or convulsive episodes, among many others.

What are the side effects?

As with any type of medication, whether psychiatric or otherwise, the administration of vilazodone can lead to a number of unwanted side effects which, depending on the intensity and duration with which they are experienced, can be substantially bothersome.

The side effects of vilazodone can be classified into those that are not considered serious and therefore do not require immediate medical attention and those of greater severity, in which it is necessary to consult a doctor urgently.

1. Non-serious side effects

The less serious side effects are the following.

• Dizziness.
• Dry mouth.
• Increased appetite.
• Gas and flatulence.
• Heartburn.
• Pain or tingling sensation in hands or feet.
• Joint pain..
• Uncontrollable shaking or trembling.
• Dreams of strange content.
• Alterations in sexual desire and capacity..

2. Serious side effects

Among the most serious side effects of vilazodone are the following.

• Skin alterations such as rashes, hives or skin spots.
• Inflammation.
• Breathing problems..
• Fainting and loss of consciousness.
• Convulsions.
• Fever.
• Heart disturbances such as rapid and irregular heartbeat.
• Severe muscle stiffness.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Nosebleeds.
• Bleeding or bruising without apparent cause.
• Hallucinations.
• Headaches.
• Problems with memory, concentration or coordination.
• Muscle weakness.
• Clumsy movements and falls.

What precautions should be taken with its consumption?

It is necessary that, before starting the treatment of vilazodone, the patient should inform the medical professional of any special health condition in which he/she is and the consumption of any other type of drug, prescription or over-the-counter. This precaution is especially important in cases of treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO).

In addition, the patient should also inform the specialist if he/she suffers from any Allergy or if he/she is taking any type of vitamin supplements or natural herbal complexes, as these may interfere with the action of vilazodone.

Regarding pregnant patients or planning a pregnancy during the duration of the treatment, the administration of vilazodone is not recommended at this time, especially in the last months of pregnancy, since it has been shown that it can cause problems in newborns.

Finally, vilazodone may cause drowsiness, so patients whose daily routine includes driving or operating heavy machinery should pay special attention to these symptoms and, as far as possible, cease these activities during treatment.