A new medication for depression was given approval just recently. On January 21, 2011, FDA approved the newest drug to be included in the roster of antidepressants – Viibryd; manufactured by PGxHealth under Clinical Data, Inc.
The release of this drug in the market has sparked a) curiosity from the medical community, b) interest from those taking anti-depressive drugs, and c) perhaps anxiety from the seller’s competitors. Viibryd is so controversial not just because it is new, but because this drug promises to have fewer effects and a happier sexual life than the usual antidepressants.
How Viibryd as a Medication for Depression Works
Viibryd is classified as an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) combined with 5HT1A partial receptor agonist. SSRIs is an antidepressant drug class that specifically acts on the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin is a biochemical that is usually referred to as the “happiness hormone” (although basically, it’s not really a hormone); with an increased level of serotonin, symptoms of depression are largely minimized. SSRIs prevent the absorption of serotonin on the presynaptic cleft; thus, increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
In addition, this new medication for depression contains partial receptor agonist compounds. These substances partially bind to serotonin receptors in cells, partly also mimicking the anti-depressive effects of serotonin.
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Effects of the Newest Medication for Depression
The desired or therapeutic effect of Viibryd is the same as all the other antidepressants – significant biochemical changes in the brain, which causes one’s mood to be uplifted. However, unlike older antidepressants, Viibryd causes lesser side effects.
One of the disadvantages of taking antidepressants is that it can cause sexual dysfunction. In the case of Viibryd, this drug only minimally interferes with one’s sexual life. In addition, it also does not cause weight gain.
On the contrary, as a drug, this medication for depression also has reported negative side effects such as insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Another warning that should be noted with the use of this drug is that it can potentially increase the risk for suicidal ideations and gestures in children, adolescents and young adults from 18 to 24 years of age upon initial treatment.
The Generic for Viibryd
The generic name for Viibryd is not yet available since the first patent for this drug is yet to expire on September 2014. Unless the patent expires, generic versions of this drug will remain to be unavailable.
Contrary to the common notion that Vilazodone hydrochloride is the generic name of this new medication for depression – this chemical name actually refers to the active ingredient in Viibryd rather than its generic counterpart.
Is Viibryd Better Than the Others?
Indeed, Viibryd is the newest medication for depression, but its appearance does not necessarily mean that it’s much better than all the other types of antidepressants. People respond differently to any given drug, what proves to be effective for one person may not necessarily produce the same results as with another.
In line with this, self-medicating is never acceptable, especially if the problem concerned is depression. Before anyone should decide to use any medication for depression, proper consultation from mental health doctors is essentially required.