Vilazodone
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Vilazodone is an oral antidepressant approved for major depressive disorder in adults. It inhibits serotonin reuptake and partially activates 5-HT1A receptors, so supplement combinations that increase serotonin can be hazardous. It must be taken with food for adequate absorption and carries the antidepressant boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger patients.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Vilazodone is an oral antidepressant approved for major depressive disorder in adults. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 10 mg once daily for 7 days, then 20 mg once daily for 7 days, then 40 mg once daily with food as tolerated. Do not exceed 20 mg once daily with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: treatment of major depressive disorder in adults, improvement in depressed mood, interest, and anxiety symptoms associated with mdd, once-daily dosing after titration. 3 sources indexed (2011–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Vilazodone selectively inhibits the serotonin transporter and acts as a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors. The combined action increases serotonergic neurotransmission and may contribute to antidepressant efficacy. It is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4, so strong CYP3A4 inhibitors raise vilazodone exposure and strong CYP3A4 inducers can reduce exposure.1,2
Dosing & protocol.
Food substantially increases vilazodone exposure. Taking it fasting can lower absorption and may reduce antidepressant effect.2
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Serotonin syndrome with serotonergic combinations
- Bleeding risk
- Hyponatremia
- Activation of mania or hypomania
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
1- 1Vilazodone: a review in major depressive disorderCitrome L · International Journal of Clinical Practice · 2012
Review describes vilazodone pharmacology, clinical trial efficacy, and common gastrointestinal adverse effects.
Reference material
2- 2VILAZODONE HYDROCHLORIDE tablets, US Prescribing InformationURLU.S. National Library of Medicine · DailyMed · 2025
Labeling specifies titration to 40 mg daily with food, MAOI contraindications, CYP3A4 dose limits, and the suicidal thoughts and behaviors boxed warning.
- 3VIIBRYD (vilazodone hydrochloride) tablets, US Prescribing InformationForest Laboratories LLC · FDA Label · 2011
Original labeling documents reduced exposure when vilazodone is taken without food.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Vilazodone, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Vilazodone?
Vilazodone is an oral antidepressant approved for major depressive disorder in adults. It inhibits serotonin reuptake and partially activates 5-HT1A receptors, so supplement combinations that increase serotonin can be hazardous. It must be taken with food for adequate absorption and carries the antidepressant boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger patients.
What is Vilazodone used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Vilazodone include: Treatment of major depressive disorder in adults; Improvement in depressed mood, interest, and anxiety symptoms associated with MDD; Once-daily dosing after titration. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Vilazodone?
A typical adult dose of Vilazodone is 10 mg once daily for 7 days, then 20 mg once daily for 7 days, then 40 mg once daily with food as tolerated. Do not exceed 20 mg once daily with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.. The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet taken once daily with food. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Vilazodone?
Reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, sexual dysfunction. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Vilazodone?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Vilazodone in NutriStack.
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