Vilazodone is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a partial agonist of the serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype 5-HT1A (IC50s = 0.2 and 0.5 nM, respectively). It increases extracellular 5-HT in the rat ventral hippocampus and frontal cortex when administered intraperitoneally at doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg. Vilazodone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) decreases immobility in the forced swim test in both rats and mice. Formulations containing vilazodone have been used in the treatment of depression.
