I am a new user of Viibryd and getting ready to step up to 40 mg in 2 days. I have taken other antidepressants for several years with generally good results other than eventually they become less effective. So far my side effects have been manageable. But for the last two days I've been so sleepy during the day that I can barely function. Most people seem to think that it should be taken in the morning. Has drowsiness decreased for anyone else after the initial adjustment period? Or have you been successful taking it at bedtime?
Does sleepiness when taking Viibryd in the morning decrease with time?
Question posted by Bonnie1968 on 19 April 2013
Last updated on 7 July 2020 by WildcatVet
6 Answers
WildcatVet
7 July 2020
"Common (1% to 10% of users): Dizziness, paresthesia, sedation, somnolence"
"Some side effects of vilazodone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects."
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
Diana KEARNEY
7 July 2020
I have been on this for 11 days on 10 mg it's making me so tired can't do much viibryd so how can u tell bit working
Ds71
9 Feb 2018
Hi. I went off of it because it never went away for me. I can not believe how much more awake I am off of it. I loved how I felt on it as far as the depression. It was wonderful however, I could not handle the non functioning sleepiness during the day. I took the pills in the morning and at night. Hopefully it won't be long lasting for you. Good luck.
Rathmullan
8 Feb 2018
Hello:
Can't recall drowsiness as being a side effect of Viibryd. What dosage are you currently on? My complaint about Viibryd is in the dosing level offerings and titration. Initial starter packs used to have a 30 mg option and I understand they no longer do. There is a big difference between 20 mg and 40 mg and for some people 30 mg may be the appropriate sustainable dose for. If you do think that the Viibryd is causing the drowsiness I would speak with your Doctor about it before going to 40 mg.
Jannuary30
8 Feb 2018
Hi. I’ve been taking Viibryd for a little over a year. I started on 10 mg then went up to 20 mg then up to 40 mg. For 8 months I was on 20 mg and experienced no side effects and had good energy. Unfortunately 20 mg stopped controlling my depression so I was moved up to 40 mg and that’s when things got bad. I was exhausted all the time and I couldn’t function at all. I thought my body would adjust but after many months of taking the 40 mg the exhaustion was only getting worse. My doc switched me to Wellbutrin which is great for my energy levels but it makes me super angry so I’m off of it to. I’ll be starting Trintellix soon hopefully it will work and I won’t experience exhaustion. I hope your exhaustion goes away while on Viibryd because the drug is amazing at treating depression and anxiety. I’m bummed that I had to go off it.
4N Substances
28 April 2013
Dear Bonnie,
I am very sorry that you did not receive a timely answer from someone in our group. That is unusual. I have been traveling to Europe and a bit jet lagged over the past few days.
I initially had a similar, annoying sleep pattern with Viibryd. My MD added a small dosed of Clonazepam which has been helpful. I was determined to ride out the Viibryd side effects because I was really pleased with how it was working for me. I too switched after several years on another anti-D that ceased to be effective. I always take my 40 dose in the AM, with food. It sounds like for you, the worst of the side effects are behind you. I wish you good luck on your journey. Being farther down the Viibryd path, I'd be happy to chat if you'd like write again one day or PM me. Apologies that you were left for so long without a reply.
Best Regards,
4N Substances aka Frenchie
Bonnie1968
29 April 2013
Thank you. The sleepiness has been somewhat less although I still get pretty drowsy a couple of hours after taking my morning dose. I did try it at night once, which would be ideal, but the dreams were different and kind of scary. I always have vivid dreams when on an antidepressant but this was different. I do think the worst of the side effects are subsiding but I still get queasy when I have an empty stomach. My thinking is kind of fuzzy part of the time and I do feel lethargic until afternoon, but I'm determined to keep at it. Thanks again for your encouragement. I appreciate your help.
4N Substances
29 April 2013
Bonnie,
The bizarre dreams will diminish too, as your system adjusts, but that's part of why I don't take it before bedtime. Until my body accepted this med, I never let my stomach get completely empty in the AM or early afternoon. I always had something small to grab and avoided nausea. Best regards
Frenchie
keasaw1
7 Sep 2014
I know this is an old thread but I've recently been prescribed vibryd with 1mg abilify after lexapro wasn't working after 7 weeks. I had taken lexapro previously with good results but two months after I quit and got back on it wasn't the same. Gave me a lot of anxiety. Just wondering how effective vibryd is and how long it takes to see improvement
Ds71
6 Sep 2017
I too am super tired. Some days I can hardly function. I nap on days I can and go to bed early. The doctor ran tests and could find no reason for it. I thought maybe it was because I would miss a dose here or there. Now I am really wondering if it is just the Viibryd. I tried Wellbutrin and while it did not work I was not tired during the day. I am just getting ready to go back on Viibryd. (Waiting on my doctor to call it in)
Ds71
6 Sep 2017
I too am super tired. Some days I can hardly function. I nap on days I can and go to bed early. The doctor ran tests and could find no reason for it. I thought maybe it was because I would miss a dose here or there. Now I am really wondering if it is just the Viibryd. I tried Wellbutrin and while it did not work I was not tired during the day. I am just getting ready to go back on Viibryd. (Waiting on my doctor to call it in)
hroark
19 Dec 2017
I have been taking 10 mg viibryd in the morning for 3 days and I feel very sleepy until late afternoon. I am about ready to quit taking it, but was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they did to help get through it.
Thanks!
hroark
19 Dec 2017
I have been taking 10 mg viibryd in the morning for 3 days and I feel very sleepy until late afternoon. I am about ready to quit taking it, but was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they did to help get through it.
Thanks!
Dog lover64
31 Dec 2017
I take 40mg of viibryd and 150mg of Wellbutrin each morning. It is very important to take this medication at the SAME TIME EVERY DAY! If I forget to take I get extremely tired and cannot seem to stay awake. Also if I forget to take at 7:am my regular time, I can tell by 10am because I begin to get adgitated and angry. I asked my physician if this was possible or all in my head. He told me it is very real because it is very sensitive. When I take on time every day I feel my best- actually I feel wonderful and entergentic. I have learned to carry extra in my purse in case I forget to take before leaving for work. Also coffee is a great help through out the day. I just read those who drink more than 2 cups a day are less prone to depression.
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Further information
- Viibryd uses and safety info
- Viibryd prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Viibryd (detailed)
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