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Compare Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Qelbree (viloxazine) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are both medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. However, they belong to different medication classes. Qelbree is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI), while Vyvanse is a stimulant. Vyvanse is also FDA-approved to treat moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults, whereas Qelbree is not. Qelbree is taken once daily and is not a controlled substance. In contrast, Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for misuse and dependence. Qelbree is only available as a brand-name medication, while Vyvanse is available in both brand and generic forms. Common side effects of Qelbree include sleep problems, headache, and nausea, while Vyvanse can cause a low appetite, difficulty sleeping, and dry mouth. Both medications have significant drug interactions, so be sure your prescriber and pharmacist have a complete list of your medications.

  • Qelbree (viloxazine)
    Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
  • Qelbree (viloxazine)
    Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

  • Summary of Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Summary for Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI)
    Prescription only

    Qelbree (viloxazine) is a non-stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's approved for people 6 years and older. This medication belongs to the drug class called norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). The dosage depends on your age and you take it by mouth once a day at any time of the day. Some side effects include sleepiness and headache.

    Summary for Stimulant
    Prescription only

    Vyvanse, the brand name for lisdexamfetamine, is a stimulant medication. It's used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older. It can also treat binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) comes as capsules and chewable tablets. It's taken once per day in the morning. The dosage starts low and gets adjusted based on how you respond to the medication. Common side effects include trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse and dependency.

  • Indications of Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Indications for
    •Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older
    Indications for
    •Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older
    •Moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Pros and Const for Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI)
    Pros
    •An option if you're looking for an ADHD medication that's not a stimulant
    •Can take with or without food
    •Can open capsule and sprinkle the powder over applesauce if you have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Can take a week or longer to notice ADHD symptoms getting better
    •Can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially when first starting
    •Can interact with some medications, like warfarin (Coumadin) and certain antidepressants
    Pros and Const for Stimulant
    Pros
    •A first-choice ADHD medication
    •Can help with ADHD for up to 14 hours with each dose
    •For binge eating disorder, can lower the number of binge-eating days per week by about one and a half days
    •Has a few options for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole (open the capsule or switch to chewable tablets)
    Cons
    •Has a risk of misuse and dependency
    •A controlled medication, so there are special requirements for getting the prescription filled
    •Might need to take gradually lower doses before stopping to avoid withdrawal symptoms
    •Not the best choice for people with heart conditions

  • Common Side Effects of Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults

    •Trouble sleeping (23%)
    •Headache (17%)
    •Nausea (12%)
    •Tiredness (12%)
    •Dry mouth (10%)
    •Not feeling hungry (10%)
    •Sleepiness (6%)
    •Constipation (6%)

    Children

    •Sleepiness (16%)
    •Headache (11%)
    •Not feeling hungry (7%)
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
    •Tiredness (6%)
    Common Side Effects for

    ADHD

    •Lower appetite (27%)
    •Trouble sleeping (27%)
    •Dry mouth (26%)

    Binge eating disorder

    •Dry mouth (36%)
    •Trouble sleeping (20%)

  • Warnings of Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of suicidal thoughts and unusual behavior
    •High blood pressure and fast heart rate
    •Risk of mania in people with bipolar disorder
    •Drug interactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of misuse and addiction
    •Risks to people with serious heart problems
    •Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
    •Strange thoughts or behavior
    •Slow growth in children
    •Problems with blood flow in the arms and legs, including Raynaud's phenomenon
    •Serotonin syndrome

  • Prices with our coupons for Qelbree vs. Vyvanse

    Learn more about Qelbree
    Learn more about Vyvanse

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