Vilazodone
Encyclopedia
Vilazodone is an SSRI
antidepressant
developed by Clinical Data
for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The chemical compound was originally developed by Merck KGaA
(Germany).
By 2009 two phase III clinical trial
s with positive results had been completed. Vilazodone was approved by the FDA for use in the United States to treat major depressive disorder in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg doses on January 21, 2011.
partial agonist
(IC50 = 0.5 nM; IA = ~60-70%). It has negligible affinity for other serotonin receptors such as 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C.
Partial agonism
of the 5-HT1A receptor
is a relatively novel mechanism of action and is also shared by the anxiolytic
buspirone
(Buspar), and the atypical antipsychotic
/ antidepressant
aripiprazole
(Abilify).
, nausea
, and somnolence
. In contrast to other SSRIs currently on the market, initial clinical trials showed that vilazodone did not cause significant weight gain or decreased sexual desire/function as with many other antidepressants, which often cause people to abandon their use. However, FDA staff called these claims into question in a September 2011 article that concluded "it is unknown whether [vilazodone] has any advantages compared to other drugs in the antidepressant class."
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor are a class of compounds typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, and some personality disorders. The efficacy of SSRIs is disputed...
antidepressant
Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder. According to Gelder, Mayou &*Geddes people with a depressive illness will experience a therapeutic effect to their mood;...
developed by Clinical Data
Clinical Data, Inc
Clinical Data, Inc is a pharmaceutical company.It has developed an antidepressant called vilazodone and marketed it as Viibryd.Clinical Data was acquired by Forest Laboratories on April 14, 2011....
for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The chemical compound was originally developed by Merck KGaA
Merck KGaA
Merck KGaA is a German chemical and pharmaceutical company. Merck, also known as “German Merck” and “Merck Darmstadt”, was founded in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1668, making it the world's oldest operating chemical and pharmaceutical company. The company was privately owned until going public in 1995...
(Germany).
By 2009 two phase III clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s with positive results had been completed. Vilazodone was approved by the FDA for use in the United States to treat major depressive disorder in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg doses on January 21, 2011.
Pharmacology
Vilazodone acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (IC50 = 0.2 nM) and 5-HT1A receptor5-HT1A receptor
The 5-HT1A receptor is a subtype of 5-HT receptor that binds the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin . It is a G protein-coupled receptor that is coupled to Gi/Go and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission...
partial agonist
Partial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
(IC50 = 0.5 nM; IA = ~60-70%). It has negligible affinity for other serotonin receptors such as 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C.
Partial agonism
Partial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
of the 5-HT1A receptor
5-HT1A receptor
The 5-HT1A receptor is a subtype of 5-HT receptor that binds the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin . It is a G protein-coupled receptor that is coupled to Gi/Go and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission...
is a relatively novel mechanism of action and is also shared by the anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
buspirone
Buspirone
Buspirone is an anxiolytic psychoactive drug of the azapirone chemical class, and is primarily used to treat generalized anxiety disorder Bristol-Myers Squibb gained FDA approval of buspirone in 1986 for treatment of GAD...
(Buspar), and the atypical antipsychotic
Atypical antipsychotic
The atypical antipsychotics are a group of antipsychotic tranquilizing drugs used to treat psychiatric conditions. Some atypical antipsychotics are FDA approved for use in the treatment of schizophrenia...
/ antidepressant
Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder. According to Gelder, Mayou &*Geddes people with a depressive illness will experience a therapeutic effect to their mood;...
aripiprazole
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and antidepressant used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and clinical depression...
(Abilify).
Efficacy and tolerability
According to an eight-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, vilazodone was reported to elicit an antidepressant response after one week of treatment. After eight weeks, subjects assigned to vilazodone experienced a significantly higher response rate than the group given placebo. At a dose of 40 mg per day, it is considered to be well tolerated and reported adverse effects ranged from mild to moderate in intensity; side effects included diarrheaDiarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
, and somnolence
Somnolence
Somnolence is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods . It has two distinct meanings, referring both to the usual state preceding falling asleep, and the chronic condition referring to being in that state independent of a circadian rhythm...
. In contrast to other SSRIs currently on the market, initial clinical trials showed that vilazodone did not cause significant weight gain or decreased sexual desire/function as with many other antidepressants, which often cause people to abandon their use. However, FDA staff called these claims into question in a September 2011 article that concluded "it is unknown whether [vilazodone] has any advantages compared to other drugs in the antidepressant class."