Vilazodone Hydrochloride
About
Vilazodone Hydrochloride belongs to the class of medications called ‘antidepressants’ used to treat 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 2 weeks).
Vilazodone Hydrochloride contains ‘Vilazodone hydrochloride’, which increases serotonin levels (a chemical messenger) in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that helps to improve mood, feelings of 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. Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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 get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Vilazodone Hydrochloride if you are allergic to any contents of it. Before taking Vilazodone Hydrochloride, inform your doctor if you have seizures (fits), alcohol abuse, liver or kidney disease, bleeding disorder, glaucoma (an eye condition), and bipolar disorder. Vilazodone Hydrochloride should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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.
Uses of Vilazodone Hydrochloride
Medicinal Benefits
Vilazodone Hydrochloride is used in the treatment of the 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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Vilazodone Hydrochloride
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia (sleeping problems)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
It is not recommended to take any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within the 14 days after stopping Vilazodone Hydrochloride or do not take Vilazodone Hydrochloride within 14 days after stopping MAOIs. The interaction between these two drugs can be fatal sometimes. Vilazodone Hydrochloride may worsen depression and increase suicidal tendencies, so inform your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual changes in your mood or behaviour. Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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. Vilazodone Hydrochloride may increase bleeding risk when used along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or blood thinners. Vilazodone Hydrochloride may activate mania (abnormally heightened response or energy levels), so patients should be screened regularly for bipolar disorder. Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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 Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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 Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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: Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may interact with Vilazodone Hydrochloride and increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionVilazodone Hydrochloride should be used in pregnant women only when clinically needed and if benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionVilazodone Hydrochloride should be used in breastfeeding mothers when clinically needed and if benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate heavy machinery as Vilazodone Hydrochloride may affect alertness.
Liver
cautionVilazodone Hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionVilazodone Hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeVilazodone Hydrochloride is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18 years as it can cause suicidal tendencies.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Vilazodone Hydrochloride if you are undergoing any medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depressive disorder: It is also known as clinical depression, and it consists of one or more major depressive episodes. A major depressive episode indicates a persistent (nearly every day for 2 weeks) depressed mood that can interfere with daily activities. The patient may experience at least 5 of the following 9 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.
FAQs
Vilazodone Hydrochloride contains 'vilazodone hydrochloride' which is an antidepressant. It works by restoring the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone or chemical messenger present in the brain responsible for improving energy, mood, and emotion levels.
Vilazodone Hydrochloride may affect your blood sugar levels. So, let your doctor know that you have diabetes before taking Vilazodone Hydrochloride. If prescribed, the doctor may advise you to check blood sugar levels while using this medicine regularly.
Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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 get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Vilazodone Hydrochloride with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (belongs to the class of antidepressants), especially within the 14 days after stopping or starting MAOIs.
Vilazodone Hydrochloride 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 as Vilazodone Hydrochloride may worsen these conditions.
