Drug interactions
Buspirone + Vilazodone
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone and Vilazodone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Vilazodone is both an SSRI and a 5-HT1A partial agonist, so adding buspirone duplicates and adds to its serotonergic activity. This increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone and Vilazodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Vilazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity through shared 5-HT1A agonism and vilazodone serotonin reuptake inhibition.
What to do
Avoid duplicating 5-HT1A agonists unless clearly justified. If combined, use the lowest doses and monitor for serotonin syndrome, stopping both if it develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
Other interactions of Vilazodone
- Isocarboxazid + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone and Vilazodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Vilazodone is both an SSRI and a 5-HT1A partial agonist, so adding buspirone duplicates and adds to its serotonergic activity. This increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone and Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid duplicating 5-HT1A agonists unless clearly justified. If combined, use the lowest doses and monitor for serotonin syndrome, stopping both if it develops.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone page.
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