Posted by bearfan on January 22, 2011, at 17:29:40
In reply to Re: New antidepressant just approved. Vilazodone, posted by Conundrum on January 22, 2011, at 14:08:12
I believe this could be a very relevant treatment. What Vilazodone has got going for it is its lack of weight gain and sexual dysfunction (as shown in its clinical test against placebo). Almost all antidepressant treatments have this sort of side effect, and Viibyrd is 'broad acting' in which is should be useful for not only depression, but anxiety spectrum disorders due to the primary action on serotonin. What is not apparent is its 'true' efficacy in the real world. As far as a I know reading through the clinical trials, it was compared to citalopram and placebo. It may end up not have the efficacy of some other treatments such as venlafaxine, but if it doesn't cause those adverse side effects as in other treatments, it could prove very useful for not only 1st line treatments, but for patients that can augment it with other options. For example, what good is an effective treatment for depression if the user eventually gains intolerable weight gain or cannot perform in a sexual situation? It eventually causes med non-compliance. I also think Vilazodone is particularly appealing in a Primary Care environment. For instance, "Hey Doc, I'm suffering from depression symptoms, but worried about sexual side effects and/or weight gain associated with them." Doctor hears about Viibyrd and Rx's it due to his understanding of good tolerbility and lack of those concerns.
I personally am very interested in it, and hoping it is very similar in effects with current treatments without those side effects.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2111362920110122
poster:bearfan
thread:977653
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110115/msgs/977700.html