Drug interactions
Lithium + Vilazodone
Severity: Moderate
Lithium 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
Lithium enhances serotonergic transmission and combining it with serotonergic antidepressants has been associated with serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity. The combination is sometimes used deliberately for augmentation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Vilazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effect, as lithium increases serotonin neurotransmission.
What to do
Monitor for tremor, agitation, hyperreflexia and other serotonin toxicity signs after starting or changing doses. Monitor serum lithium levels as clinically indicated.
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 Vilazodone
- Isocarboxazid + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Vilazodone Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Vilazodone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium 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. Lithium enhances serotonergic transmission and combining it with serotonergic antidepressants has been associated with serotonin syndrome and neurotoxicity. The combination is sometimes used deliberately for augmentation.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium 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: Monitor for tremor, agitation, hyperreflexia and other serotonin toxicity signs after starting or changing doses. Monitor serum lithium levels as clinically indicated.
What other medicines interact with Vilazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vilazodone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Vilazodone page.
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