2.1 Dosage for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

The recommended target dosage for vilazodone hydrochloride is 20 mg to 40 mg orally once daily with food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), Clinical Studies (14)]. To achieve the target dosage, titrate vilazodone hydrochloride as follows:

• Start with an initial dosage of 10 mg once daily with food for 7 days,
• Then increase to 20 mg once daily with food.
• The dose may be increased up to 40 mg once daily with food after a minimum of 7 days between dosage increases.

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as the patient remembers. If it is almost time for the next dose, the patient should skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Two doses should not be taken at the same time.

2.2 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting Vilazodone Hydrochloride

Prior to initiating treatment with vilazodone hydrochloride tablets or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

2.3 Switching to or from a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Antidepressant

At least 14 days must elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant and initiation of vilazodone hydrochloride. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping vilazodone hydrochloride before starting an MAOI antidepressant [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.4 Dosage Adjustments with CYP3A4 Inhibitors or Inducers

Patients receiving concomitant CYP3A4 inhibitors:
During concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, voriconazole), the vilazodone hydrochloride dose should not exceed 20 mg once daily. The original vilazodone hydrochloride dose level, can be resumed when the CYP3A4 inhibitor is discontinued [see Drug Interactions (7)].
Patients receiving concomitant CYP3A4 inducers:
Based on clinical response, consider increasing the dosage of vilazodone hydrochloride by 2-fold, up to a maximum 80 mg once daily, over 1 to 2 weeks in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin) for greater than 14 days. If CYP3A4 inducers are discontinued, gradually reduce the vilazodone hydrochloride dosage to its original level over 1 to 2 weeks [see Drug Interactions (7)].

2.5 Discontinuing Treatment with Vilazodone Hydrochloride

Adverse reactions may occur upon discontinuation of vilazodone hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. Vilazodone hydrochloride should be down tapered from the 40 mg once daily dose to 20 mg once daily for 4 days, followed by 10 mg once daily for 3 days. Patients taking vilazodone hydrochloride 20 mg once daily should be tapered to 10 mg once daily for 7 days.

5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults

 In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients, and over 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater in antidepressant-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1,000 patients treated are provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Risk Differences of the Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients

 It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance studies in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression and that depression itself is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing vilazodone hydrochloride, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

5.2 Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs), including vilazodone hydrochloride, can precipitate serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. The risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl,meperidine, methadone, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., MAOIs [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7)]. Serotonin syndrome can also occur when these drugs are used alone. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome were noted in 0.1% of MDD patients treated with vilazodone hydrochloride in premarketing clinical trials.
Serotonin syndrome signs and symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).

The concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride with MAOIs is contraindicated. In addition, do not initiate vilazodone hydrochloride in a patient being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. No reports involved the administration of methylene blue by other routes (such as oral tablets or local tissue injection). If it is necessary to initiate treatment with an MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking vilazodone hydrochloride, discontinue vilazodone hydrochloride before initiating treatment with the MAOI [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Monitor all patients taking vilazodone hydrochloride for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. Discontinue treatment with vilazodone hydrochloride and any concomitant serotonergic agents immediately if the above symptoms occur, and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment. If concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms.

5.3 Increased Risk of Bleeding

Drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake inhibition, including vilazodone hydrochloride, increase the risk of bleeding events. Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may add to this risk. Case reports and epidemiological studies (case-control and cohort design) have demonstrated an association between use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding.  Based on data from the published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage [seeUse in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Bleeding events related to drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake have ranged from ecchymosis, hematoma, epistaxis, and petechiae to life-threatening hemorrhages.
Inform patients about the  increased risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride and antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor coagulation indices when initiating, titrating, or discontinuing vilazodone hydrochloride.

5.4 Activation of Mania or Hypomania

In patients with bipolar disorder, treating a depressive episode with vilazodone hydrochloride or another antidepressant may precipitate a mixed/manic episode. In controlled clinical trials, patients with bipolar disorder were excluded; however, symptoms of mania or hypomania were reported in 0.1% of undiagnosed patients treated with vilazodone hydrochloride. Prior to initiating treatment with vilazodone hydrochloride, screen patients for any personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

5.5 Discontinuation Syndrome

Adverse reactions after discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants, particularly after abrupt discontinuation, include: nausea, sweating, dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesia, such as electric shock sensations), tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].

5.6 Seizures

Vilazodone hydrochloride has not been systematically evaluated in patients with a seizure disorder. Patients with a history of seizures were excluded from clinical studies. Vilazodone hydrochloride should be prescribed with caution in patients with a seizure disorder.

5.7 Angle-Closure Glaucoma

The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs including vilazodone hydrochloride may trigger an angle closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy. Avoid use of antidepressants, including vilazodone hydrochloride, in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles.

5.8 Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia may occur as a result of treatment with SNRIs and SSRIs, including vilazodone hydrochloride. Cases of serum sodium lower than 110 mmol/L have been reported. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness, which may lead to falls. Signs and symptoms associated with more severe and/or acute cases have included hallucination, syncope, seizure, coma, respiratory arrest, and death. In many cases, this hyponatremia appears to be the result of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
In patients with symptomatic hyponatremia, discontinue vilazodone hydrochloride and institute appropriate medical intervention. Elderly patients, patients taking diuretics, and those who are volume-depleted may be at greater risk of developing hyponatremia with SSRIs and SNRIs [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)].

5.9 Sexual Dysfunction

Use of SSRIs, including vilazodone hydrochloride, may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In male patients, SSRI use may result in ejaculatory delay or failure, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction. In female patients, SSRI use may result in decreased libido and delayed or absent orgasm.
It is important for prescribers to inquire about sexual function prior to initiation of vilazodone hydrochloride and to inquire specifically about changes in sexual function during treatment, because sexual function may not be spontaneously reported. When evaluating changes in sexual function, obtaining a detailed history (including timing of symptom onset) is important because sexual symptoms may have other causes, including the underlying psychiatric disorder. Discuss potential management strategies to support patients in making informed decisions about treatment.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions and varying lengths of time, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.
The most commonly observed adverse reactions in vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in placebo-controlled studies (incidence ≥ 5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia.

Patient Exposure

The safety of vilazodone hydrochloride was evaluated in 3,007 patients (18 to 70 years of age) diagnosed with MDD who participated in clinical studies, representing 676 patient-years of exposure. In an open-label 52 week study at 40 mg daily, 599 patients were exposed to vilazodone hydrochloride for a total of 348 patient-years.

The adverse reaction information presented below was derived from studies of vilazodone hydrochloride 20 mg and 40 mg daily in patients with MDD including:

• Four placebo-controlled 8 to 10-week studies in 2,233 patients, including 1,266 vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients; and

• An open-label 52-week study of 599 vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients.

These studies included a titration period of 10 mg daily for 7 days, followed by 20 mg daily for 7 days or to 40 mg daily over 2 weeks. In these clinical trials, vilazodone hydrochloride was administered with food.

Adverse reactions reported as reasons for discontinuation of treatment

In these studies, 7.3% of the vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction, compared with 3.5% of placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation in at least 1% of the vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients in the placebo-controlled studies was nausea (1.4%).

Common adverse reactions in placebo-controlled MDD studies

Table 2 shows the incidence of common adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 2% of vilazodone hydrochloride-treated patients and greater than the rate of placebo-treated patients in MDD Studies. There were no dose-related adverse reactions between 20 mg and 40 mg reported.

Table 2: Common Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of vilazodone hydrochloride-treated Patients and Greater than the Rate of Placebo-Treated Patients

Sexual adverse reactions

Table 3 displays the most common sexual adverse reactions in the placebo-controlled MDD studies.

Table 3: Common Sexual Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of vilazodone hydrochloride-treated Patients and Greater than the Rate of Placebo-Treated Patients

Other adverse reactions observed in clinical studies
The following list does not include reactions: 1) already listed in previous tables or elsewhere in labeling, 2) for which a drug cause was remote, 3) which were so general as to be uninformative, 4) which were not considered to have significant clinical implications, or 5) which occurred at a rate equal to or less than placebo.
Reactions are categorized by body system according to the following definitions: frequent adverse reactions are those occurring in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse reactions are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1,000 patients; rare reactions are those occurring in fewer than 1/1,000 patients:
Cardiac disorders: infrequent: ventricular extrasystoles
Eye disorders: infrequent: dry eye, vision blurred, rare: cataracts
Nervous System: frequent: sedation, tremor; infrequent: migraine
Psychiatric disorders: infrequent: panic attack
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: infrequent: hyperhidrosis, night sweats

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of vilazodone hydrochloride. Because these
reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish
a causal relationship to drug exposure. Reports of adverse reactions temporally associated with vilazodone hydrochloride that have
been received since market introduction and that are not listed above include the following:
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: irritability
Nervous System Disorders: sleep paralysis
Psychiatric Disorders: hallucinations, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: rash, generalized rash, urticaria, drug eruption
Gastrointestinal System: acute pancreatitis

 Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: anosmia, hyposmia

7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions With Vilazodone Hydrochloride

7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions With vilazodone hydrochloride

Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment is required for drugs that are substrates of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and/or P-glycoprotein (except narrow therapeutic index drugs, e.g., digoxin), when vilazodone hydrochloride is administered concomitantly [see Drug Interactions (7.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405- 6185 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants.
Risk Summary
Based on data from published observational studies, exposure to SSRIs, particularly in the month before delivery, has been associated with a less than 2-fold increase in the risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Considerations].

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of vilazodone hydrochloride in pregnant women. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of vilazodone during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 48 and 17 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) in rats and rabbits, respectively, resulted in decreased fetal body weight gain and delayed skeletal ossification but no teratogenic effects were observed. Decreased fetal body weight and delayed skeletal ossification were not observed at doses up to 10 and 4 times the MRHD in rats and rabbits, respectively [see Data].
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk
A prospective, longitudinal study followed 201 pregnant women with a history of major depressive disorder who were euthymic and taking antidepressants at the beginning of pregnancy. The women who discontinued antidepressants during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressants. Consider the risks of untreated depression when discontinuing or changing treatment with antidepressant medication during pregnancy and postpartum.

Maternal Adverse Reactions

Use of vilazodone hydrochloride in the month before delivery may be associated with an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions
Exposure to SSRIs and SNRIs, including vilazodone hydrochloride, in late pregnancy may lead to an increased risk for neonatal complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding, and/or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Monitor neonates who were exposed to vilazodone hydrochloride in the third trimester of pregnancy for PPHN and drug discontinuation syndrome [see Data].
Data
Human Data
 Third Trimester Exposure  Neonates exposed to SSRIs or SNRIs late in the third trimester, have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding. These findings are based on post-marketing reports. Such complications can arise immediately upon delivery. Reported clinical findings have included respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying. These features are consistent with either a direct toxic effect of SSRIs and SNRIs or, possibly, a drug discontinuation syndrome. In some cases, the clinical picture was consistent with serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Exposure during late pregnancy to SSRIs may have an increased risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). PPHN occurs in 1 to 2 per 1,000 live births in the general population and is associated with substantial neonatal morbidity and mortality. In a retrospective case-control study of 377 women whose infants were born with PPHN and 836 women whose infants were born healthy, the risk for developing PPHN was approximately six-fold higher for infants exposed to SSRIs after the 20th week of gestation compared to infants who had not been exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. A study of 831,324 infants born in Sweden in 1997 to 2005 found a PPHN risk ratio of 2.4 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.3) associated with patient-reported maternal use of SSRIs “in early pregnancy” and a PPHN risk ratio of 3.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 8.3) associated with a combination of patient-reported maternal use of SSRIs “in early pregnancy” and an antenatal SSRI prescription “in later pregnancy.”
Animal Data  No teratogenic effects were observed when vilazodone was given to pregnant rats or rabbits during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 200 and 36 mg/kg/day, respectively. These doses are 48 and 17 times, in rats and rabbits, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 mg on a mg/m2 basis. Fetal body weight gain was reduced, and skeletal ossification was delayed in both rats and rabbits at these doses; these effects were not observed at doses up to 10 times the MRHD in rats or 4 times the MRHD in rabbits.
When vilazodone was administered to pregnant rats at an oral dose of 30 times the MRHD during the period of organogenesis and throughout pregnancy and lactation, the number of live born pups was decreased. There was an increase in early postnatal pup mortality, and among surviving pups there was decreased body weight, delayed maturation, and decreased fertility in adulthood. There was some maternal toxicity at this dose. These effects were not seen at 6 times the MRHD.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of vilazodone in human milk, the effects of vilazodone on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. However, vilazodone is excreted in rat milk (see Data). The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for vilazodone hydrochloride and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from vilazodone hydrochloride or from the underlying maternal condition.
Data
Animal Data
Administration of vilazodone to lactating rats at an oral dose of 30 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), resulted in early postnatal pup mortality, and among surviving pups there was decreased body weight and delayed maturation.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of vilazodone hydrochloride have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of MDD.

Efficacy was not demonstrated in two adequate and well controlled, 8-week studies including a total of 1,002 pediatric patients ages 7 years to 17 years of age with MDD. The following adverse reactions were reported in at least 5% of pediatric patients treated with vilazodone hydrochloride and occurred at a rate at least twice that for pediatric patients receiving placebo: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/discomfort, and dizziness.
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric patients[see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Adverse Reactions (6.2)].
Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data
In a juvenile animal study, male and female rats were treated with vilazodone (10, 50, and 200 mg/kg/day) starting on postnatal day (PND) 21 through 90. A delay in the age of attainment of vaginal patency (i.e. sexual maturation) was observed in females starting at 50 mg/kg/day with a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 10 mg/kg/day.  This NOAEL was associated with AUC levels similar to those measured at a maximum dose tested in pediatrics (30 mg). Adverse behavioral effects (lack of habituation in an acoustic startle test) were observed in males at 200 mg/kg and females starting at 50 mg/kg both during drug treatment and the recovery periods. The NOAEL for this finding was 50 mg/kg for males and 10 mg/kg for females, which was associated with AUC levels greater than (males) or similar (females), to those observed with the maximum dose tested in pediatric patients An 8% decrease in femur mineral density was observed in female rats at 200 mg/kg, compared to the control group. The NOAEL for this finding was 50 mg/kg, which was associated with an AUC level greater than those measured at the maximum dose tested in pediatrics

8.5 Geriatric Use

Based on a pharmacokinetic study, no dosage adjustment of vilazodone hydrochloride is recommended on the basis of age (see Figure 3). Results from pharmacokinetic study of a single 20 mg vilazodone hydrochloride dose in geriatric subjects (> 65 years-old) vs. younger subjects (24 to 55 years-old) demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics were generally similar between the two age groups [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Clinical studies of vilazodone hydrochloride did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Of the 3,007 patients in clinical studies with vilazodone hydrochloride, 65 (2.2%) were 65 years of age or older, and 378 (12.6%) were 55 to 64 years of age. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be conservative, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Serotonergic antidepressants have been associated with cases of clinically significant hyponatremia in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]. No other differences in adverse reactions were observed between geriatric and younger patients.

8.6 Use in Other Patient Populations

No dosage adjustment of vilazodone hydrochloride is necessary on the basis of gender, renal function (mild to severe renal impairment, glomerular filtration rate: 15 to 90 mL/minute), or hepatic function (mild to severe hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh score: 5 to 15 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

9.1 Controlled Substance

Vilazodone hydrochloride is not a controlled substance.

9.2 Abuse and Dependence

Vilazodone hydrochloride has been systematically studied in animals and did not demonstrate abuse or dependence potential. While vilazodone hydrochloride has not been systematically studied in humans for its potential for abuse, there was no suggested evidence of drug-seeking behavior in the clinical studies.

12.1 Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake. Vilazodone is also a partial agonist at serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors; however, the net result of this action on serotonergic transmission and its role in vilazodone’s antidepressant effect are unknown.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Vilazodone binds with high affinity to the serotonin reuptake site (Ki= 0.1 nM), but not to the norepinephrine (Ki=56 nM) or dopamine (Ki=37 nM) reuptake sites. Vilazodone potently and selectively inhibits reuptake of serotonin (IC50= 1.6 nM). Vilazodone also binds selectively with high affinity to 5-HT1A receptors (IC50=2.1 nM) and is a 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Treatment with vilazodone hydrochloride did not prolong the QTc interval. The effect of vilazodone hydrochloride [20, 40, 60, and 80 mg (2 times the recommended dosage)] on the QTc interval was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-, and active-controlled (moxifloxacin 400 mg), parallel-group, thorough QTc study in 157 healthy subjects. The study demonstrated an ability to detect small effects. The upper bound of the 90% confidence interval for the largest placebo-adjusted, baseline-corrected QTc interval was below 10 msec, based on the individual correction method (QTcI). Thus, at doses of 2 times the recommended dosage, vilazodone hydrochloride did not prolong the QTc interval to a clinically relevant extent.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Vilazodone activity is due primarily to the parent drug. The pharmacokinetics of vilazodone (5 mg to 80 mg) are dose-proportional. Accumulation of vilazodone after administration of single vilazodone hydrochloride doses did not vary with dose, and steady-state was achieved in about 3 days. Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. At steady-state, after daily dosing of vilazodone hydrochloride 40 mg under fed conditions, the mean Cmax value was 156 ng/mL, and the mean AUC (0-24 hours) value was 1645 ng·h/mL.
Absorption
Vilazodone concentrations peaked at a median of 4 to 5 hours (Tmax) after vilazodone hydrochloride administration and declined with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. The absolute bioavailability of vilazodone was 72% with food. Vilazodone AUC and Cmax in the fasted state can be decreased by approximately 50% and 60%, respectively, compared to the fed state. Administration without food can result in inadequate drug concentrations and may reduce effectiveness.
Co-administration of vilazodone hydrochloride with ethanol or with a proton pump inhibitor (pantoprazole) did not affect the rate or extent of vilazodone absorption. In addition, neither the Tmax nor terminal elimination rate of vilazodone was altered by co-administration with either pantoprazole or ethanol.
Absorption is decreased by approximately 25% if vomiting occurs within 7 hours of ingestion; no replacement dose is needed.
Distribution
Vilazodone is widely distributed and approximately 96 to 99% protein-bound. Administration of vilazodone hydrochloride to a patient taking another drug that is highly protein bound may cause increased free concentrations of the other drug, because vilazodone is highly bound to plasma protein. The interaction between vilazodone and other highly protein-bound drugs has not been evaluated.
Metabolism and Elimination
Vilazodone hydrochloride is extensively metabolized through CYP and non-CYP pathways (possibly by carboxylesterase), with only 1% of the dose recovered in the urine and 2% of the dose recovered in the feces as unchanged vilazodone. CYP3A4 is primarily responsible for its metabolism among CYP pathways, with minor contributions from CYP2C19 and CYP2D6.
Drug Interaction Studies
Figure 1 below includes the impact of other drugs on the pharmacokinetics of vilazodone [see Drug Interactions (7)].
Figure 1. Effect of Other Drugs on Vilazodone Pharmacokinetics

In vitro studies indicate that vilazodone is unlikely to inhibit or induce the metabolism of substrates for CYP1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 or 3A5, except for CYP2C8. The effect of vilazodone on CYP2C8 activity has not been tested in vivo.
Figure 2 below includes the impact of vilazodone on the pharmacokinetics of other drugs in vivo.
Figure 2. Impact of Vilazodone on Other Drug Pharmacokinetics

Studies in Specific Populations:
The presence of mild to severe renal impairment or mild to severe hepatic impairment did not affect the apparent clearance of vilazodone (see Figure 3). There were no pharmacokinetic differences of vilazodone in geriatric patients compared to younger patients, or between males and females (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Impact of Intrinsic Factors on Vilazodone Pharmacokinetics

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity studies were conducted in which B6C3F1 mice and Wistar rats were given oral doses of vilazodone up to 135 and 150 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 2 years. These doses are approximately 16.5 and 36 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 40 mg, respectively, on a mg/m2 basis.
In mice, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas was increased in males at 16.5 times the MRHD; this finding was not observed at 5.5 times the MRHD. The incidence of malignant mammary gland tumors was numerically increased in females at 5.5 and 16.5 times the MRHD, with statistical significance at 16.5 the MRHD; this finding was not observed at 1.8 times the MRHD. Elevated prolactin levels were observed in a 2-week study of vilazodone administered at 5.5 and 33 times the MRHD. Increases in prolactin levels are known to cause mammary tumors in rodents.
In the rat study, vilazodone was not carcinogenic in either sex at doses up to 36 times the MRHD.
Mutagenesis
Vilazodone was not mutagenic in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test). Vilazodone was negative in the in vitro V79/HGRPT mammalian cell forward mutation assay. Vilazodone was clastogenic in two in vitro mammalian cell chromosome aberration assays. However, vilazodone was negative for clastogenic activity in both an in vivo rat bone marrow chromosome aberration assay and a micronucleus test. Vilazodone was also negative in an in vivo/in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in rats.
Impairment of Fertility
Treatment of rats with vilazodone at a dose of 125 mg/kg, which is 30 times the MRHD of 40 mg on a mg/m2 basis, caused impairment of male fertility with no effect on female fertility. Impaired male fertility was not observed at 6 times the MRHD.