Viibryd vs. Sertraline
See how Viibryd and Sertraline compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Viibryd is a SPARI antidepressant taken with food and approved only for major depressive disorder, while sertraline is an SSRI approved for six different conditions.
Both drugs carry a boxed warning for increased suicidal thoughts in patients under 25 and share diarrhea, nausea, and insomnia as common side effects.
Generic sertraline typically costs far less per month than Viibryd, which has no widely available generic version.
Viibryd vs. Sertraline Drug Summary
Viibryd
Viibryd (vilazodone) is a serotonin partial agonist and reuptake inhibitor, or SPARI, a mechanism distinct from standard SSRIs. It is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder in adults and is taken once daily with food, since absorption drops sharply without it.
Sertraline
Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, approved for major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and PMDD in adults. It is taken once daily, with no food requirement, starting at a low dose that is adjusted based on response.
Viibryd vs. Sertraline Side Effects
Viibryd
Sertraline
Viibryd vs. Sertraline Dosage
Viibryd
Sertraline
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 10 mg once daily | Days 1-7 |
| Maximum dose | 40 mg once daily | Day 15 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every 7 days |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Viibryd
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 10 mg once daily | Days 1-7 |
| Maximum dose | 40 mg once daily | Day 15 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every 7 days |
Sertraline
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Viibryd vs. Sertraline Indications
Viibryd
Viibryd is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. It has not been approved for depression in children or teens, and it carries only this single approved use.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
Not approved for pediatric depression
Only one FDA-approved indication, unlike sertraline's several
Sertraline
Sertraline is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder in adults. It is also approved for OCD in children age 6 and older.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including ages 6+
Panic disorder
Viibryd vs. Sertraline Pros and Cons
Viibryd
Viibryd works through a different mechanism than standard SSRIs, combining serotonin reuptake inhibition with partial 5-HT1A receptor activation. It has a solid evidence base for depression but a narrower FDA indication and a higher cash price since a generic is not widely stocked.
Pros
Distinct SPARI mechanism, an option if SSRIs haven't worked
Lower insomnia rate (6-7%) than sertraline's (up to 21%)
Once-daily dosing with a straightforward three-step titration
Cons
Must be taken with food or absorption drops significantly
Approved only for MDD, a narrower indication than sertraline
No widely available generic, so it typically costs more
Sertraline
Sertraline is one of the most prescribed SSRIs, with decades of safety data across six FDA-approved conditions. It is available only as a low-cost generic, though it carries a comparatively higher rate of sexual side effects like ejaculation failure.
Pros
Approved for six conditions, including OCD, PTSD, and panic disorder
Widely available low-cost generic: roughly $10 to $75 per month
No food requirement for dosing
Cons
Higher rate of sexual side effects, including ejaculation failure (up to 14%)
Higher insomnia rate (up to 21%) than Viibryd (6-7%)
Four-step titration to reach the maximum dose
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