A prescription of Viibryd may not have provided the relief you were seeking and perhaps now is the time to consider Viibryd withdrawal as a positive step along the journey to natural mental health. It is possible to transition to natural alternative treatments without the harsh side effects common to all SSRIs.
We do not doubt that your suffering is real. But we doubt that you have been correctly treated if you are still suffering. We’ve been there too, and we have a comprehensive non-toxic toolbox to share with you.
It IS possible to turn your disaster into Triumph!
Alternative to Meds is a world leader in recovery after prescription drug therapy didn’t meet your expectations. We offer safe, medically monitored Viibryd withdrawal supported by a staff of over 40 amazing practitioners and medical doctors to guide you step by step. Our success rate of over 77% is documented by published evidence and we want you to share in that success. Despite the fact that we have successfully helped over 20,000 clients, we recognize you as a unique individual requiring a tailored treatment program made just for you. We are here to help you reach your mental wellness goals.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Viibryd withdrawal symptoms are common to all antidepressants according to research documents spanning from at least 1959, and continuing on to the present.5-7 Back in the 50s doctors and researchers (and pharmaceutical companies) were looking for something better than electroconvulsive therapy, or even better than nothing. In fact, most drug trials today are still looking for something that is better than nothing (placebo-controlled). Much debate has developed over the decades as to whether the promise of relief to patients has really ever been fulfilled with drug-based therapy. Each new drug was supposed to surpass the last. Perhaps it is time to drop some of the false promises of the past and look forward to real relief through the use of holistic approaches to improved mental wellness. And, with holistic and effective remedies to support Viibryd withdrawal, one can discard the liability of a lifetime of antidepressant side effects and lack of efficacy.
Below you will find some information we hope you will find useful on Viibryd withdrawal including common and more rare adverse Viibryd withdrawal symptoms, strategies to overcome these, and information on how natural and holistic treatments are used at Alternative to Meds Center for a safe and gentle Viibryd withdrawal experience, and recovery of mental wellness without drugs.
Common Viibryd Withdrawal Symptoms
SPECIAL NOTE RE PREGNANCY: Viibryd is not recommended during late pregnancy due to potential withdrawals in the newborn, as well as major complications in the infant.
Viibryd is associated with withdrawal reactions, seizures, respiratory, feeding, and other complications immediately after birth in newborns, as well as a 6-fold increase in persistent pulmonary hypertension after birth.1
Viibryd is similar to SSRI antidepressants, but is classed as a “serotonin modulator.” Vilazodone is suggested to have an additional effect on certain receptors, which remains not understood in clinical reports. The most common symptoms of Viibryd withdrawal may resemble those of similar drugs such as SSRI antidepressants, and involves both physical and psychological symptoms.2,3
Tremors, involuntary jerking motions, ataxia (unsteady or uncoordinated walking)
Brain zaps or feeling of electric shocks in the head or neck
Nausea, vomiting
Abdominal pain
Constipation, diarrhea
Paresthesia: burning or prickling skin sensation
Sensory or visual disturbances, blurred vision
Sexual dysfunction
Itching
Altered taste
Tinnitus
Confusion, disorientation
Severe and Rare Viibryd Withdrawal Symptoms 1,4,8-15,20
Though relatively rare, there have been severe and even life-threatening reactions to Viibryd withdrawal, especially where the dosage was dropped too quickly or upon abrupt cessation, and where other health conditions were present and untreated. It should be noted that some adverse drug reactions associated with SSRIs may persist after drug discontinuation. Reported rare and severe withdrawal reactions have included the following:
Suicide, suicidal thinking
Seizures
Psychosis, delirium
Visual and auditory hallucinations
Mania (severe, lasts at least 7 days) and hypomania (less severe, lasts up to 4 days)
It should be well-noted that published research studies on Viibryd withdrawal are near to non-existent. Studies on other SSRI withdrawal phenomena are much more prevalent and should be considered for the full breadth of the subject. There could be other adverse discontinuation symptoms besides the ones listed above.
Viibryd Half-life and Withdrawal Timeline
The half-life of a medication is how long it takes for the concentration in the system to decrease by half. Viibryd has a half-life estimated at about 25 hours. This may vary from person to person because of individual rates of metabolism, age, genetics, and other health considerations. The half-life is typically when withdrawals may begin to manifest, anywhere from a day to several days after the last dose in this case. The medical consensus is that instead of abruptly stopping, decreasing the dose gradually is a recommended strategy to help reduce harsh Viibryd withdrawals.
There can be no fixed timeline for successfully coming off Viibryd because each individual can have unique responses after lowering the dose. With proper support, preparation, and medical monitoring, the timeline for comfortable Viibryd withdrawal is expected to be 8 weeks but could extend up to one year, depending on the individual factors as noted above.13,18 Clinical research advises that lowering the dose during antidepressant withdrawal should be not only gradual, but that near the end, the doses be incrementally cut even more slowly, and should gradually decrease to levels well below the lowest therapeutic dosage level. Much evidence has shown that a misdiagnosis of relapse is not uncommon when withdrawal symptoms come on too harshly and may be misinterpreted as a relapse. Be informed before you start Viibryd withdrawal so that you have a good grasp on what to expect and you can accurately inform your prescriber what you are experiencing so it will not be misdiagnosed.
Can You Stop Taking Viibryd Cold Turkey?
Though some may have been able to abruptly stop Viibryd without many consequences, that would be the exception, and could likely include persons who took Viibryd only for a few days or a few weeks at most or took only very low doses. In any case, a cold turkey approach is not recommended as it can lengthen the process of Viibryd withdrawal, and may encourage misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment measures, as previously cautioned, above.18
The recommended route is to go slow and gradual, and if the taper should still become too harsh for the body to tolerate, reinstating at a higher dosage until stable and then resuming the taper more gradually would be preferable to ease the process.
Tips for Safe, Healthy Viibryd Withdrawal
Enlist competent medical support before starting Viibryd withdrawal. Inpatient treatment is best but if this is not possible, put together a solid support team including a prescriber who is sympathetic to your situation and familiar with antidepressant withdrawal. Let trusted friends and/or family know what your plans are so they can understand your efforts. A spouse or close associate may be able to assist with cooking, cleaning, or other chores. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if it is only for some moments of companionship with someone you feel comfortable spending quiet time with. Most people are happy and quite willing to help others given the opportunity to do so.
You may find it necessary to take time off work or school for a time to allow for a more relaxed schedule, extra rest, outdoor walks, reading, or other mild, relaxing activities, and to keep environmental stress to an absolute minimum during Viibryd withdrawal.
Stay in close contact with your prescriber if you are not able to enter an inpatient setting, so that minor changes in dosage (which can make major differences) can be well-managed as you go through the process.
If you have attempted Viibryd withdrawal and found the process too difficult to manage on your own, we strongly recommend considering inpatient help. At Alternative to Meds Center, we specialize in the most difficult of cases. The process of Viibryd withdrawal need not be torturous or overly long with the proper help in place. We are here to help.
About Viibryd Withdrawal Protocols Used at Alternative to Meds Center
Protocols used in antidepressant withdrawal have been carefully designed at the center, and offer services that can markedly ease the process, including these examples:
We invite you to visit a more complete description of other therapies that can be found on our services overview page where they are described in much greater detail.
Find Help Now for Viibryd Withdrawal at Alternative to Meds Center
At Alternative to Meds Center, we have been helping thousands of clients for more than 15 years to reach their goals by thoroughly investigating and addressing root causes for symptoms using effective, drug-free therapeutics that can provide authentic relief. It may help to understand that in over 35% of individuals taking Viibryd, adverse reactions were reported. You are definitely not alone in your suffering.
Please contact us for more information for you or your loved one on the very real opportunity to experience recovery of natural mental health through safe Viibryd withdrawal and get the tools for true relief from the symptoms that drug therapy could not resolve.
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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SPECIAL NOTE RE PREGNANCY: Viibryd is not recommended during late pregnancy due to potential withdrawals in the newborn, as well as major complications in the infant.
The half-life of a medication is how long it takes for the concentration in the system to decrease by half. Viibryd has a half-life estimated at about 25 hours. This may vary from person to person because of individual rates of metabolism, age, genetics, and other health considerations. The half-life is typically when withdrawals may begin to manifest, anywhere from a day to several days after the last dose in this case. The medical consensus is that instead of abruptly stopping, decreasing the dose gradually is a recommended strategy to help reduce harsh Viibryd withdrawals.
