Does Viibryd make you sleepy? Understanding its effects on sleep

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to clinical studies, roughly 4-5% of people taking Viibryd (vilazodone) experienced sleepiness, while 6-7% reported insomnia. The answer to "Does Viibryd make you sleepy?" is complex, as it can cause both increased sleepiness and difficulty sleeping, depending on the individual.

Quick Summary

Viibryd's effect on sleep can manifest as either drowsiness or insomnia, a dual outcome linked to its serotonergic activity. Side effects often diminish as the body adjusts, but lifestyle changes and dosage adjustments can help manage persistent issues.

Key Points

Dual Effect on Sleep: Viibryd can cause either sleepiness (drowsiness) or insomnia (trouble sleeping), with clinical data showing both are possible side effects.
Serotonin's Role: The medication's impact on serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, is the reason for its variable effect on sleep.
Temporary Side Effects: Sleep disturbances caused by Viibryd are often mild and typically resolve within the first few weeks as the body adjusts.
Management Strategies: Adjusting the time of day you take the medication (with doctor approval) and practicing good sleep hygiene can help manage these effects.
Do Not Stop Abruptly: Stopping Viibryd suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including sleep problems. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your dose.
Individual Response Varies: The specific way Viibryd affects your sleep depends on your individual neurochemistry and how your body responds to the medication.

Viibryd, the brand name for vilazodone, is a unique antidepressant medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Unlike traditional Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Viibryd functions as both a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor. This dual mechanism of action is thought to contribute to its efficacy and potentially influence its side effect profile, including its complex effects on sleep. Understanding why Viibryd can cause both sleepiness (drowsiness/fatigue) and insomnia (trouble sleeping) is key to managing these potential side effects.

The Dual Nature of Viibryd's Sleep-Related Side Effects

Clinical trial data indicates that Viibryd's impact on sleep is not straightforward. While some patients report feeling drowsy or fatigued, others experience difficulty sleeping. This can be particularly confusing for those beginning treatment, but it's an important aspect of how the medication works. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter that Viibryd helps regulate, plays a critical role in the sleep-wake cycle. By modulating serotonin levels, Viibryd can sometimes disrupt sleep patterns, especially in the initial weeks of treatment as the body adapts.

Why some people feel sleepy

Serotonin's Role: High levels of serotonin can influence the sleep-wake cycle, and the changes caused by Viibryd may lead to initial sedation in some individuals.
Body Adaptation: The central nervous system needs time to adjust to a new medication, and this transition period can be marked by fatigue or drowsiness.
Other Factors: Dizziness, another common side effect, can contribute to feelings of being tired or groggy.

Why some experience insomnia

Serotonin Activation: The activating effects of serotonin on certain receptors can sometimes lead to difficulty falling or staying asleep. For some, this effect on the sleep cycle results in insomnia rather than sedation.
Altered REM Sleep: SSRI activity, which is part of Viibryd's mechanism, has been shown to increase the latency to REM sleep and decrease the overall time spent in this stage. This can affect sleep quality, though it often returns to baseline after a few weeks.
Psychiatric Effects: Insomnia can also be a symptom of the underlying depression or anxiety that Viibryd is treating. For a subset of patients, the medication can cause anxiety or restlessness, which can interfere with sleep.

Comparison of Sleep Effects with Other Antidepressants

It is often helpful to compare Viibryd's effects with those of other antidepressants, as their side effect profiles can differ significantly. This can help patients and doctors make informed decisions about treatment, especially if sleep disturbances are a major concern.


Antidepressant Class	Typical Sleep Side Effects	Common Examples	Notes on Sleep Effects
Viibryd (Vilazodone)	Drowsiness OR Insomnia	Vilazodone	Can cause either sedation or activation, often resolving within weeks as the body adjusts.
SSRIs	Often insomnia or agitation; some can be sedating	Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft)	Activating SSRIs can cause insomnia, while others may be more neutral. May suppress REM sleep.
SNRIs	Similar to SSRIs, can cause insomnia	Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta)	Activating effects can disrupt sleep patterns, particularly early in treatment.
Atypical Antidepressants	Varies widely; some are sedating	Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Mirtazapine (Remeron)	Bupropion is typically activating and can cause insomnia. Mirtazapine is often prescribed partly for its sedating effects.
Trazodone	Highly sedating	Trazodone	Often used off-label as a sleep aid due to its strong sedating properties.

Management Strategies for Viibryd Sleep Issues

If you experience sleepiness or insomnia from Viibryd, your healthcare provider can help you manage it. These effects are often mild and temporary, but if they persist, the following strategies can be useful.

Timing of Dose: For those experiencing insomnia, taking Viibryd in the morning, rather than at night, might reduce sleep issues. Conversely, if sleepiness is a problem, the dose might be moved to bedtime. Always consult your doctor before changing your medication schedule.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Adopting good sleep hygiene is crucial. This includes avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise can improve sleep quality and manage restlessness, but it's best to complete workouts several hours before bedtime.
Dosage Modification: Your doctor might suggest a dose adjustment or a slower taper-up schedule to mitigate initial side effects. Do not change your dose without medical supervision.
Alternative Medications: If sleep issues are significant and do not resolve, your doctor may consider prescribing a different antidepressant or adding a sleep aid.

Important Precautions and Monitoring

It is important to remember that Viibryd should not be stopped abruptly. Doing so can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, also known as discontinuation syndrome, which can include sleep problems like insomnia. Any changes to your medication regimen should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional with a gradual dosage reduction. Patients should also be monitored for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially when starting the medication or changing the dose.

Conclusion

While Viibryd can make some people sleepy and others experience insomnia, these sleep disturbances are often mild and temporary, typically resolving within the first few weeks of treatment as the body adapts. The medication's unique dual mechanism affecting serotonin explains its varied impact on the sleep-wake cycle. If you're experiencing persistent or severe sleep-related issues, discussing them with your healthcare provider is the best course of action. They can help with dose timing, lifestyle strategies, or determining if a different medication might be a better fit for your needs. Adherence to medical advice is key to effectively managing side effects while successfully treating depression.

For more detailed patient information on Viibryd, including other potential side effects, you can visit the official medication guide from DailyMed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Viibryd typically causes either sleepiness or insomnia in an individual, but not usually both at the same time. The specific effect varies from person to person. Early in treatment, some might experience a mix of fatigue and restless sleep, but one effect usually dominates.

In clinical trials, sleepiness affected approximately 4-5% of patients taking Viibryd. While less common than some other side effects like diarrhea, it is still a possibility.

Viibryd's effect can be activating, leading to insomnia, or sedating, leading to drowsiness. Other antidepressants, such as some SSRIs, are often more consistently activating and known to cause insomnia, while others like trazodone are primarily sedating.

For most people, the sleepiness or insomnia experienced from Viibryd is a temporary side effect that subsides within the first few weeks of starting treatment as the body adapts to the medication.

If Viibryd is causing significant sleepiness, you should talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend strategies like taking your dose at bedtime, adjusting your dose, or exploring alternative medications. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

If insomnia is a problem, taking Viibryd in the morning, rather than later in the day, may help. It is important to discuss this timing change with your doctor first.

No, sleepiness is a side effect, not an indication of effectiveness. Early signs that the medication is working include improvements in energy and mood, which can take several weeks.