Does Viibryd cause weight gain? (How & 3 mitigation tips)
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Viibryd cause weight gain?
Viibryd may or may not cause weight gain as a side effect. Weight-related side effects are not that common with this antidepressant and may affect only 3-5% of the people taking this medication.
Studies have indicated that weight gain with Viibryd is not that significant and people may gain just a few pounds (2 to 6lbs). However, the use of Viibryd in combination with another antidepressant can make a huge difference.
Experts stated that Viibryd can sometimes be paired with antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to increase the efficacy of antidepressant treatment against major depressive disorder (MDD).
MDD is known to be a persistent type of depression that does not go away with monotherapy and a good combination is often required.
In such cases, the weight gain with Viibryd was found more significant, not because this antidepressant was the only culprit causing it, but because it was paired with another antidepressant with weight gain as a side effect.
Make sure you closely monitor your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider. Rapid weight gain with Viibryd can be disturbing and it needs proper evaluation.
In some cases, Vibrryd can cause some gastrointestinal side effects that could lead to lesser calorie consumption- which may result in weight loss.
What is the possible mechanism behind Viibryd-induced weight gain?
Viibryd-induced weight gain can occur because of a number of appetites and metabolism-related changes that may occur (1). However, it is not that common. Let’s discuss some of the causes of weight gain.
- Increase in appetite
- Sugar cravings
- Slow metabolism
Increase in appetite
One of the side effects caused by Viibryd is increased appetite. This effect is not that common but it can occur and it could be the primary cause of Viibryd-induced weight gain.
We all are aware of the fact that when we start to eat more than our body’s daily needs, the excess food is stored in the form of fat. With time, the continuous increase in your body fat can make you gain weight. This type of weight gain is difficult to lose, but certainly not impossible.
Sugar cravings
Viibryd may spike your sugar cravings, especially during the early course of the treatment. If you continue to give in to these cravings, you will increase your sugar intake up to the point where the excess sugar gets stored in your body as fat.
Slow metabolism
Viibryd may or may not slow your metabolism down. Some studies have stated that it does while other studies go against this claim. Some experts believe that the slow metabolism could be a result of overeating and less physical activity.
What to do if Viibryd makes you gain weight?
If Viibryd makes you gain weight, some of the following tips can help you out.
Opt for healthier food options to satisfy your hunger
If Viibryd increases your appetite and you feel hungry more and more, it is best to opt for good food options, food that can make you feel full for a longer period of time without affecting your weight and metabolism.
The best choices, in this case, are lean protein and good fats. They can not only help you feel full, but they also taste good and help boost your metabolism.
Exercise
Exercise is the best way to lose weight. It boosts your metabolism and makes your physiological systems healthier and stronger. It can also help you with the symptoms associated with depression by releasing happy chemicals in your brain.
Exercise also releases the built-up negative energy from your body. You don’t have to follow a strict or nerve-racking exercise regimen that your body can’t bear.
If you’re a beginner, start by walking 20 to 30 minutes every day and gradually increase your time duration and your walking pace. Once your body builds up some endurance, that’s when you can switch to a good workout session.
Keep in touch with your healthcare provider
The best thing to do is to keep informing your healthcare provider about your side effects. This can help you follow your doctor’s recommendations related to the side effects you may suffer from. It is also important to make sure that you stick to your doctor’s recommended dose.
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References
1.-
Citrome L. Vilazodone for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of the efficacy and safety profile for this newly approved antidepressant – what is the number needed to treat, number needed to harm and likelihood to be helped or harmed? Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Apr;66(4):356-68. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2011.02885.x. Epub 2012 Jan 29. PMID: 22284853. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22284853/
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