Attached files

file filename
EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-23_1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-31_2.htm
EX-10.7 - EX-10.7 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-10_7.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-31_1.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-21_1.htm
EX-10.28 - EX-10.28 - VIVUS INCa2202317zex-10_28.htm
10-K - 10-K - VIVUS INCa2202317z10-k.htm

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        I, Leland F. Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of VIVUS, Inc., certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report of VIVUS, Inc. on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2010 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of VIVUS, Inc. This written statement is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to such Annual Report on Form 10-K. A signed original of this statement has been provided to VIVUS, Inc. and will be retained by VIVUS, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Date: February 28, 2011   By:   /s/ LELAND F. WILSON

Leland F. Wilson
Chief Executive Officer

        I, Timothy E. Morris, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report of VIVUS, Inc. on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2010 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of VIVUS, Inc. This written statement is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to such Annual Report on Form 10-K. A signed original of this statement has been provided to VIVUS, Inc. and will be retained by VIVUS, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Date: February 28, 2011   By:   /s/ TIMOTHY E. MORRIS

Timothy E. Morris
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer



QuickLinks