[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Atypical antidepressants](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/atypical-antidepressants/) › Vilazodone

# Vilazodone

## Atypical antidepressants?

Atypical antidepressants

An antidepressant that blocks serotonin reuptake and is also a 5-HT1A partial agonist. It is taken with food, and diarrhoea and nausea are common.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Atypical antidepressants](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/atypical-antidepressants/)

**Target**
Serotonin transporter (SERT); also 5-HT1A receptor (partial agonist)

**Used for**
Major depressive disorder in adults

**Key effects**
Diarrhoea · Insomnia · Sexual dysfunction

**Monitor**
Mood and suicidal thoughts · Sodium in older people

**ATC**
N06AX24

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

⇄**Serotonin transporter (SERT); also 5-HT1A receptor (partial agonist)**Vilazodone

ⓘ The figure shows vilazodone bound to the human serotonin transporter in its outward-open state (with an antibody fragment used for the structure).

**Target in 3D:** Serotonin transporter (SERT); also 5-HT1A receptor (partial agonist). PDB structure 9HCO (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9HCO) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Vilazodone selectively inhibits serotonin reuptake through SERT, like an SSRI, and is also a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. The SERT block raises synaptic serotonin; the role of the 5-HT1A action in its antidepressant effect is not known. It has little effect on noradrenaline or dopamine transporters.

- Vilazodone blocks SERT: more synaptic serotonin
- Also partly activates 5-HT1A receptors
- Antidepressant effect over weeks
- Gut serotonin: diarrhoea and nausea are common

## Indications

- Major depressive disorder in adults [Major depressive disorder →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/major-depressive-disorder/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Sexual dysfunction

### Serious (rare, important)

- Suicidal thoughts in young people (boxed warning)
- Serotonin syndrome
- Bleeding, more with NSAIDs, aspirin or anticoagulants
- Mania or hypomania; seizures; angle-closure glaucoma; hyponatraemia

## Contraindications

- MAO inhibitors now or within the previous 14 days

## Key interactions

**MAO inhibitors, triptans, tramadol, other serotonergic drugs**
Serotonin syndrome

**Aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin and other anticoagulants**
More bleeding

**Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers**
Inhibitors raise and inducers lower vilazodone levels; the amount is adjusted

## What is monitored

- Mood and suicidal thoughts
- Symptoms of serotonin syndrome
- Sodium in older people

## Administration and safety

- Given with food; without food, levels may be too low to work
- Stopped gradually to avoid discontinuation symptoms

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use in the third trimester may raise the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

## Nursing care

- Checks that each dose is taken with a meal
- Asks about diarrhoea, nausea and sleep
- Teaches the patient and family to report new suicidal thoughts, agitation or unusual mood elevation
- Asks about painkillers and anticoagulants that add bleeding risk

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
By mouth with food; bioavailability about 72% with food and much lower when fasting

**Metabolism**
Extensive, mainly CYP3A4 among the CYP enzymes

**Half-life**
About 25 hours

## Memory aid

«VILAZODONE = SSRI + 1A, with a plate»: SERT block plus 5-HT1A partial agonism, always with food.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which two actions does vilazodone combine?

Serotonin reuptake inhibition (SERT) and partial agonism at 5-HT1A receptors.

## Why is vilazodone given with food?

Fasting lowers its absorption so much that it may not work.

## What are its most common side effects?

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and insomnia.

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[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Fluoxetine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fluoxetine/)
- [Sertraline](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sertraline/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Major depressive disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/major-depressive-disorder/)

[← Back to the class: Atypical antidepressants](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/atypical-antidepressants/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - VILAZODONE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a70fd858-cbef-7336-d7ce-c78499031644) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Vilazodone: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611020.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N06AX24) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/vilazodone/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/vilazodone/