Drug interactions
Phenytoin + Vilazodone
Severity: Moderate
Phenytoin 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
Phenytoin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and is expected to lower vilazodone exposure, potentially reducing antidepressant efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenytoin 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.
Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System; Vilazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces CYP3A4, accelerating vilazodone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and consider raising the vilazodone dose, up to about twofold within the labeled maximum, if the combination continues beyond about two weeks. Reduce the dose again when phenytoin is stopped.
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 Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenytoin with Vilazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenytoin 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. Phenytoin is a strong CYP3A4 inducer and is expected to lower vilazodone exposure, potentially reducing antidepressant efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Phenytoin 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 clinical response and consider raising the vilazodone dose, up to about twofold within the labeled maximum, if the combination continues beyond about two weeks. Reduce the dose again when phenytoin is stopped.
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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