A new antidepressant called Viibryd (vilazodone) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depression.
Viibryd works in a way similar to an existing antidepressant called trazodone, inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, as well as being a partial agonist at the 1A serotonin receptor subtype.
The new antidepressant, manufactured by PGxHealth, received approval mainly based upon two eight-week clinical trials comparing Viibryd with placebo, in which the patients receiving Viibryd showed a comparatively greater improvement on both the Montgomery-Asberg and Hamilton depression symptom scales. It was also tested in a 52-week uncontrolled study with similar efficacy results.
Among the 2,900 patients studied, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and insomnia were the most commonly reported adverse effects.
The product label will include the same boxed warning found on other antidepressants regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients younger than 25 during the intials stages of treatment.
Viibbryd will be available in 10-,20- and 40-mg tablets.
Would be nice to hear from those now on Viibryd. I am on my second day. 8 week studies are not very long to get the real picture so glad to know they also did a 52 week trial. I never like taking new meds until others have used it a while but I am one of the guinea pigs. Hope to hear from others who have been on it longer. I know it is just getting started now.
I am on my second week on viibyrd. It is difficult to be on a new drug with so little research. I can’t really tell if the drug is working as I am coming off Effexor and have terrible withdrawal. From what I can learn these could last a long time. I want to get off Effexor and don’t want to go onto another unproven drug. If the doctor has put me on this drug due to drug company lobbying…well ..
I have been on Viibryd now for 4 months. It has been the only anti-depressant that has worked for me in 10 years. I am out of bed and functional. I don’t have suicidal thoughts anymore, I don’t feel depressed, I did have a manic episode (about 10 days) until my doctor put me on remeron along with the viibryd. He also took me off vyvanse and restoril. I would not let them hospitalize me, I said I would work w/doctor to adjust my meds. I’m back to feeling great and I would not change this medicine for anything. Live Life, Celebrate life. Cindy