VALZ 20MG TABLET belongs to the class of medications called ‘antidepressants’ used to treat the major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression. Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent and intense loneliness (nearly every day for at least two weeks).

VALZ 20MG TABLET contains ‘Vilazodone’, which increases serotonin levels (a chemical messenger) in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that helps improve mood, well-being, and happiness. Hence, an increase in serotonin levels helps to decrease symptoms of depression.

You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. VALZ 20MG TABLET may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia (sleeping problems). These side effects usually resolve without requiring any treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take VALZ 20MG TABLET if you are allergic to any contents of it. Before taking VALZ 20MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have seizures (fits), alcohol abuse, liver or kidney disease, bleeding disorder, glaucoma (an eye condition), and bipolar disorder. VALZ 20MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. VALZ 20MG TABLET is not recommended for children or adolescents below 18 years of age as this medicine increase the risk of suicidal tendencies. No dose adjustments are required for elderly patients. It is not recommended to take alcohol as it increases the risk of side effects. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery as it may decrease your alertness.

VALZ 20MG TABLET is used in the treatment of major depressive disorder. It increases the serotonin hormone levels, which improves mood, energy, and feelings of well-being. It can decrease the number and frequency of depressive episodes. It helps in reducing the symptoms of depression effectively and improves quality-of-life. It can also be used to treat anxiety.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
• Dizziness
• Diarrhoea

It is not recommended to take any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the 14 days after stopping VALZ 20MG TABLET or do not take VALZ 20MG TABLET within 14 days after stopping MAOIs. The interaction between these two drugs can be fatal sometimes. VALZ 20MG TABLET may worsen depression and increase suicidal tendencies, so inform your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual changes in your mood or behaviour. VALZ 20MG TABLET may cause serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome, which is characterized by symptoms such as high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, excess sweating, and increased heart rate. In such cases, the doctor may discontinue treatment and provide supportive therapy. VALZ 20MG TABLET may increase bleeding risk when used along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or blood thinners. VALZ 20MG TABLET may activate mania (abnormally heightened response or energy levels), so patients should be screened regularly for bipolar disorder. VALZ 20MG TABLET may cause hyponatremia (decreased sodium levels in the blood) when used in people with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), a condition in which the body retains too much water. Do not stop taking VALZ 20MG TABLET even if you feel better without your doctor’s advice. Abrupt stopping this medicine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as sleep problems, irritability, and excessive sweating. The doctor may gradually reduce the dose before completely stopping the treatment from avoiding withdrawal reactions.

Drug-Drug Interactions: VALZ 20MG TABLET may interact with other antidepressants (selegiline, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine, etc.), a medicine used to treat fits (mephenytoin), a herbal medicine used to treat depression (St. John’s Wort or Hypericum perforatum), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, and aceclofenac, etc.), pain killers (tramadol and aspirin), diuretics or water pills, medicines used to treat mood disorders or mental illnesses (buspirone and tryptophan, etc.), blood thinner (warfarin) and medicines used to treat migraine (sumatriptan and rizatriptan).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: VALZ 20MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with alcohol abuse, seizures (fits), liver or kidney disease, bleeding disorder, glaucoma (an eye condition), and bipolar disorder.

• SELEGILINE
• TRANYLCYPROMINE
• ISOCARBOXAZID
• AMITRIPTYLINE
• FLUOXETINE
• ST JOHN'S WORT
• HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
• IBUPROFEN
• DICLOFENAC
• ACECLOFENAC
• BUSPIRONE
• WARFARIN
• SUMATRIPTAN
• RIZATRIPTAN

• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly helps in improving overall health and boosts self-esteem.
• Regularly attend therapy sessions.
• Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
• Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
• Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oils.
• Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help maintain neurotransmitters' proper maintenance.
• Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and pears.
• Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps in relieving stress, improving mood, boosts self-esteem, and provides restful sleep.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors, and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.

• Inform your doctor that you are taking VALZ 20MG TABLET if you are undergoing any medical or dental treatment.

Major depressive disorder: It is also known as clinical depression and consists of one or more major depressive episodes. A major depressive episode indicates a persistent (nearly every day for two weeks) depressed mood that can interfere with daily activities. The patient may experience at least 5 of the following nine symptoms during a major depressive episode: depressed mood, loss of interest in usual activities, a significant change in weight or appetite, increased or decreased sleep, agitation, increased fatigue, feeling of guilt, or worthlessness, impaired concentration, and suicidal thoughts or behaviour. The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, factors such as stress, changes in hormone levels, alcohol or drug abuse, abuse during childhood, certain medical conditions, and medications might increase the risk of developing depression.