What Side Effects to Expect If You Miss a Dose of Viibryd (Plus 5 Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking It)

Viibryd (vilazodone) is an antidepressant medication for adults. Viibryd works in a similar way to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline (Zoloft). But what's the best way to take it? And are there side effects if you miss a dose of Viibryd? Here, we'll review six tips from a pharmacist for taking Viibryd to help the medication work best for you.

1. What side effects to expect if you miss a dose of Viibryd

If you miss one dose of Viibryd, you probably won't have any side effects. It takes your body a full day to clear just half of one Viibryd dose. So it's unlikely that your Viibryd levels will drop enough to cause any noticeable effects if you miss a single dose.

That said, Viibryd works best when you take it consistently. And missing more than one dose can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea and vomiting

• Trouble sleeping

• Flu-like symptoms

• Pins and needles sensations

• Anxiety

• Irritability

Withdrawal symptoms may be more severe if you've been taking Viibryd long term and at a higher dosage.

To help you remember to take Viibryd, try keeping it somewhere you'll see it every morning, such as on your kitchen counter. You can also set a daily alarm or use a reminder app on your phone. Combining these tips can help prevent you from missing doses.

2. It's best to take Viibryd in the morning

You can take Viibryd at any time of day, but it's often recommended to take it in the morning. This might help reduce the chance of insomnia (trouble sleeping), a common side effect of Viibryd.

This happens because Viibryd raises levels of serotonin to help treat depression. Serotonin is a chemical in your body that helps regulate mood. But it also helps control your sleep-wake cycle, so higher levels of it can lead to sleep issues for some people while they're taking Viibryd.

3. It's best to take Viibryd with food

You can take other SSRIs with or without food, but you should always take Viibryd with food. This is more than just a suggestion - it's an important step to ensure the medication works properly.

When you take Viibryd with food, your body absorbs it better, which helps it work effectively. Taking Viibryd on an empty stomach can lower absorption by 50% or more. Having food in your stomach can also lessen nausea, a common Viibryd side effect.

To help you remember this, consider making your Viibryd dose part of your morning routine. Taking it every day with breakfast can help make sure you're taking it the right way. Just be sure to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, since they can interact with Viibryd.

Good to know: You should swallow Viibryd tablets whole - don't crush or chew them. The dust formed by crushing Viibryd tablets is highly explosive and can be dangerous to inhale.

4. You should avoid certain supplements while you're taking Viibryd

Viibryd can interact with certain over-the-counter (OTC) supplements. This can lead to unwanted side effects or reduce how well Viibryd works.

One herbal supplement to avoid with Viibryd is St. John's wort. Some people take St. John's wort to help with depression, but you shouldn't take it with prescription antidepressants, such as Viibryd. Combining St. John's wort and Viibryd can raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, a serious condition that can happen if too much serotonin builds up in the brain. In addition, St. John's wort may lower Viibryd levels in the body, making it less effective.

While you're taking Viibryd, it's also a good idea to avoid dietary supplements that raise your bleeding risk. A few examples are turmeric, garlic, and ginkgo biloba supplements. Viibryd also raises the risk of bleeding, so taking it with these supplements makes the risk even greater.

Other herbal supplements may also interact with Viibryd. Help protect yourself from potentially risky interactions by reviewing your current medication list, including any OTC products and supplements you take, with your healthcare team. And always check with your prescriber or pharmacist before adding a new supplement to your routine.

Good to know: These interactions only apply to supplement versions of these products. It's fine to cook with garlic, turmeric, and other foods in usual amounts while you're taking Viibryd.

5. There are ways to manage sexual side effects caused by Viibryd

Viibryd seems to be less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants. But it's still possible you may experience them. Sexual side effects reported while taking Viibryd include:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

• Ejaculation issues

• Less interest in sex

• Trouble reaching orgasm

Tell your prescriber if you're having sexual side effects while taking Viibryd. You don't need to feel embarrassed - sexual health is an important part of your overall health. They can suggest solutions to help manage these side effects, depending on the symptoms and your situation. They may prescribe an ED medication such as Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil). In some cases, changing the dosage, switching to a different antidepressant, or adding bupropion (Wellbutrin) can help improve sexual side effects.

6. You shouldn't stop taking Viibryd on your own

You shouldn't stop taking Viibryd on your own. As mentioned, stopping Viibryd suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, also known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. In some cases, this can be a serious problem, especially if you're been taking Viibryd for a while.

If you feel that Viibryd isn't working for you or you're having bothersome side effects, speak with your prescriber. They can determine what's going on and the best way to address it. If needed, they can guide you through the process of gradually reducing your Viibryd dose over time in a safe way. This gradual approach helps to lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Tips for saving on Viibryd

There are ways to save on Viibryd, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Viibryd's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $33.42per month with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $15 for a 30- or 90-day supply of brand-name Viibryd using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Viibryd's patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.