Generic Name for Vilazodone
The generic name for the medication marketed as Viibryd is vilazodone hydrochloride (HCl). 1
Medication Details
Vilazodone hydrochloride is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Viibryd tablets. The drug is formulated as polymorph Form IV vilazodone hydrochloride and is available in three tablet strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg 1.
Chemical Structure
The complete chemical name is: 2-benzofurancarboxamide, 5-[4-[4-(5-cyano-1H-indol-3-yl)butyl]-1-piprazinyl]-, hydrochloride (1:1), with a molecular weight of 477.99 1.
Pharmacological Classification
Vilazodone is classified as a dual-acting antidepressant that combines:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) properties
- 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist activity
This multimodal mechanism distinguishes it from traditional SSRIs 2, 3, 4.
FDA Approval Status
Vilazodone was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2011 for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults 5, 6. It is not approved for use in children 1.
The brand name Viibryd and generic name vilazodone refer to the same medication, with vilazodone hydrochloride being the precise chemical form used in the formulation 1.