I was on Viibryd for over a year and went off because of the side effects to see if something else would work. Well, the other med didn't work so I just started back on Viibryd four days ago. I've taken four days of 10mg pills. Just yesterday I started getting bad diarrhea. I had diarrhea on Viibryd when I was on it before but it was a once a day thing I got used to. This has been an almost all day thing leaving me in the bathroom multiple times. Is there something I can take that won't interfere with the medicine? Will this go away? I don't understand as this didn't happen before with the med.
What do I do for Viibryd diarrhea and when will it go away?
Question posted by lennongurl on 19 Feb 2013
Last updated on 11 March 2020
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7 Answers
Rathmullan
11 March 2020
I find that it helps to take Viibryd with a pretty substantial meal. Best to avoid fiber and dairy with that meal. Too, I've noticed that while this side effect never completely goes away it does lessen over time (as in months).
Take care for now and all the best.
Lynn 351
11 March 2020
Just started 5 mgs of Viibryd today for anxiety. I hope it works. Any positive stories.
Rathmullan
11 March 2020
Yes. Viibryd has worked much better than any other anti-depressant I've tried (Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin). But that's just me. Everyone is different. I'm just fortunate that my Doctor suggested Viibryd when Zoloft stopped working for me.
I'm just curious as to how are you getting to a 5 mg of Viibryd dose? I have found that the tablets lose potency when cut in half. The manufacturer does not stand behind the product's efficacy when the pills are cut or crushed.
Take care for now and all the best.
CallieRoo
11 March 2020
I have found that taking Metamucil helps with this problem. I take metamucil with each meal to help limit diarrhea. I'm still pooping multiple times a day but at least its not diarrhea. I'm looking into other diet changes to see if that would help or if anyone has found any remedies for this.
Phata4
1 Aug 2019
I will trade you, I have the opposite problem with my meds.
onlylvonce
1 Aug 2019
I began taking Viibryd with the starter pack. (10 mg for a week, then 20 mg for 3 weeks). I had stomach issues and IBS before starting this med. I had diarrhea starting on day 4. I am now 2 weeks into the med and still having problems with painful bloating, anal irritation (feels like there is a metal rod up there!) and the diarrhea. How long until your side effects went away?? I noticed this has helped with my migraines. I havent noticed a difference with my mood, as I am so distracted by the painful side effects. Thanks in advance!
julietdavis
10 July 2015
I have always had problems with stomach and diarrhea on Viibryd, and I can't go past 10 mg without severe effects. So, everyone is different. Your cases are probably more typical but I would not advise everyone these side effects will definitely go away. For me it's a hard trade-off but Viibryd is the only med that works for me after years of trying others. I am often up in the middle of the night with stomach problems as well--and this has gone on for many months. My best advice is to eat yoghurt when you take it, as well as throughout the day. If I did not do that, I would not be able to take the med.
4N Substances
22 Feb 2013
Hi again sweet lennongurl,
I'm happy to hear you're going to give Viibryd another chance. I promise you-the diarrhea will stop!! I think it stopped completely for me after I finally stepped up to 40. It never returned after the about 5 weeks. What time of day are you taking your dose? Always make sure you eat with some real food, not just milk. Keep in touch my dear. Feel free to PM also.
Your Friend,
Frenchie
lennongurl
22 Feb 2013
Thank you! It has gotten better. I just upped to 20mg today. I am ready for the medicine to start kicking in now! I know when I was on it before I had the diarrhea but it was just once a day in the morning, not too bad. I take my Viibryd in the morning around 10 or so because I take synthroid when I wake up and can't eat for an hour after taking that. I don't drink milk but I always take Viibryd with food! Thanks!
tolly256
21 Jan 2014
I am having the same issue with diarrhea. It started from the beginning on the 10mg dose then stopped toward the end of the 20mg dose. When I started on the 40mg dose it started again. I take it in the morning with food, but the diarrhea starts right after lunch, usually 2 times. I am taking Imodium as per directions but little help. I cut back to 20mg and it stopped for about 3-4 days, now it is back. I am drinking no alcohol and eating a low fat balanced diet. Not sure what to do.
sjde
31 March 2014
I was supposed to start at 10 mg for a week then go to 20. 10 gave me horrible diarrhea and so did 5 mg, so I went to 2.5 for 2 weeks. I just tried to go up to 5 and the same thing is happening again. How can you take something when you need to be confined to the house?! I run to the bathroom 3 times in a row--i think about 3 to 4 hrs after taking it-- and I'd hate to be caught somewhere else! I don't think I can take it in the evening because I have trouble sleeping then.
butana
15 Feb 2015
Hi I just started viibryd..I'm on 6th day... didn't have diarrhea when started but it start last night. I'm on starter pack so I'm on 10mgs. When does this usually go away and do you or what did u do to help with it???
johnson05nlhs
15 March 2018
I too started Viibryd on 20mg, had a weird out of the body affect the same day I started. I advised my physician and he advised to take half for 10 days. I complied and very bad diarrhea every day. I went back to 20mg 2 days ago still having bad diarrhea. I also want to mention I'm taking armour thyroid immediately when I wake up and as I leave for work I take Viibryd with food and something to drink. Any suggestions???
Thanks
antu849
7 June 2018
I'll soon be going off Viibryd and possibly going back to Celexa. Unbelievably, I've had chronic diarrhea for over 2 years! And I mean chronic as in every bowel movement. I have an anxiety disorder so I attributed it to stress. However, I've seen an Immunologist and a Gastrointerologist and neither can find anything wrong with me other than "inflamed bowels". I began to cut back on the Viibryd and the symptoms began to decrease. I've spend thousands of dollars seeing doctors just to find out it was my medication. I researched the FDA website for Viibryd and read their clinical trial report. Turns out 28% of the people taking Viibryd (not the placebo) had diarrhea for more the 70 days which is basically the length of the study. The drug company didn't do any followup research so there isn't anything to indicate Viibryd causes chronic diarrhea, then again, they wouldn't necessarily want to advertise it.
Inactive
19 Feb 2013
Hello lennongurl. It is a side effect (diarrhea) to taking the drug. I would give it another few days since it has been one day out off the four that you are experiencing this problem. If it continues, your doctor might adjust yoiur dose to help ease the diarrhea. Regards pledge
Related topics
depression, diarrhea, side effect, viibryd
Further information
- Viibryd uses and safety info
- Viibryd prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Viibryd (detailed)
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