Key takeaways
Viloxazine (Qelbree) and bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Wellbutrin SR) are both medications that can affect norepinephrine levels in the brain, but they have some important differences. Viloxazine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. Bupropion, on the other hand, is an atypical antidepressant used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Viloxazine is taken once daily, while bupropion can be taken either once daily or multiple times a day, depending on the formulation. Viloxazine is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas bupropion is available as both a branded medication and a lower-cost generic. Both medications can cause sleep problems, headache, and dry mouth and carry a risk of suicidal thoughts, but bupropion also increases the risk of seizures, especially for people with a history of seizures or eating disorders. Both medications have important drug interactions, so be sure your prescriber and pharmacist have a complete list of your medications.
