title: Vilazodone for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects 121 million people globally and is one of the leading causes of functional disability worldwide. As a recurrent disorder, MDD is associated with significant morbidity and functional disability as well as high direct and indirect costs to the health care system. Although several drug therapies are available for treating MDD, many patients do not achieve a sustained remission. Vilazodone was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011 and has a distinctive pharmacology profile, as the drug is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin 5-HT(1A)  receptor partial agonist. In two 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, vilazodone's overall rate of response was similar to other antidepressants for the treatment of MDD. Compared with placebo, remission rates were not significantly different in one trial and were not reported in the second trial. Vilazodone was generally well tolerated, with nausea and diarrhea being the most frequent adverse events reported. Postmarketing studies and further active comparative studies will provide additional insight to the potential benefits and safety of this novel drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, Alabama 35229, USA. miranikh@samford.edu
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iranikhah
authors.forename: Terri M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wensel
authors.forename: Angela R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Thomason
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069503:Vilazodone Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001572:Benzofurans; D007211:Indoles; D010879:Piperazines; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069503:Vilazodone Hydrochloride