Vilazodone and alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking vilazodone. It can increase some of the side effects including dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Food significantly increases the absorption of vilazodone. You should take vilazodone with a meal, preferably at the same time each day. Taking it on an empty stomach may lead to inadequate blood levels and reduced effectiveness of the medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of vilazodone. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral bioavailability of vilazodone. According to the product labeling, vilazodone blood concentrations in the fasted state can be decreased by approximately 50% compared to the fed state, which may result in diminished effectiveness in some patients. The absolute bioavailability of vilazodone is 72% with food. In study subjects, administration with food (high-fat or light meal) increased vilazodone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) by approximately 147% to 160% and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 64% to 85%.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving vilazodone should be advised to avoid consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how vilazodone affects them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities. Vilazodone should be taken with food. Administration without food may result in inadequate drug concentrations and diminished effectiveness.