How Much Is Qelbree Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Qelbree (viloxazine) is a nonstimulant medication that treats attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a chronic condition characterized by symptoms such as impulsive behavior, difficulty focusing, and hyperactivity.
Qelbree is considered a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) medication. These types of medications increase levels of the hormone norepinephrine in the brain, which is believed to help lower impulsive behavior and improve attention in people with ADHD.
Without insurance, 30 capsules of 200 mg Qelbree cost an average of $459.91. You could pay as little as $358.82 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
Table of contents
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects millions of U.S. children and adults. In 2023, about 6% of U.S. adults — more than 15 million — had a current ADHD diagnosis, according to the CDC.
Considered to be a chronic condition, ADHD is characterized by symptoms such as an inability to focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is typically diagnosed in childhood, the symptoms can carry into adulthood.
Qelbree (viloxazine) is a medication that helps treat symptoms of ADHD. There are two basic types of ADHD medications: stimulants and nonstimulants. Stimulants are first-choice treatments that work well for most children with ADHD. Nonstimulant medications like Qelbree are often prescribed when stimulants aren’t effective or cause troubling side effects.
One of the benefits of taking nonstimulant medications is that they are not controlled substances, which means there’s a lower chance of dependence. However, nonstimulants may take longer to provide noticeable results.
The cost of Qelbree depends on several factors, including the dose and the pharmacy where the prescription is filled. If you don’t have health insurance coverage for Qelbree, a GoodRx coupon could lower the cost at certain pharmacies. There are also manufacturer savings available for people with commercial insurance and cash-paying consumers — including those who are uninsured. There’s no generic option for Qelbree.
Qelbree basics
Qelbree is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) medication, meaning it increases brain levels of norepinephrine — which influences focus and attention. This is believed to help minimize impulsive behavior and hyperactivity, two common symptoms of ADHD.
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about Qelbree.
Qelbree Basics
| Brand name | Qelbree |
| Form | Capsules (extended release) |
| FDA-approved uses |
|
| Benefits |
|
| Possible side effects | Possible side effects, which vary slightly between children and adults, include:
Qelbree also carries a boxed warning — the most serious type of medication advisory issued by the FDA — because suicidal thoughts is a rare but potential side effect. |
Is Qelbree covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover brand-name Qelbree. Nearly all Medicaid plans and most commercial plans cover this medication. Qelbree is covered by about one-third of plans purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and less than 10% of Medicare plans.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether brand-name Qelbree is covered. If not, contact your prescription plan provider and ask about your coverage options. You can also discuss alternatives with your prescriber or a pharmacist.
Nonstimulant ADHD medications: Qelbree (viloxazine) is one of the newest FDA-approved medications that treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) without stimulants.
Qelbree vs. Strattera (atomoxetine): See how these two ADHD medications compare.
How do ADHD medications work? Read this primer on ADHD treatment options for adults and children.
How insurance covers Qelbree
The following chart shows the likelihood of having coverage — and prior authorization and step therapy requirements — for Qelbree 200 mg capsules, based on the type of insurance plan. Many health insurance plans require enrollees to get prior authorization or do step therapy to get coverage for this medication.
Insurance Coverage for Qelbree (200 mg Capsules)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Qelbree 200 mg capsule | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial plans (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 74.2% | 38.6% | 37.1% |
38.7% | 25.7% | 12.3% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 7.3% | 3.4% | 4.5% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 77.4% | 53.1% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of February 11, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover Qelbree, you still have options:
Use a GoodRx coupon to save on your prescription.
Ask your prescriber about switching to a lower-cost medication or one that’s covered by your insurance. There isn’t a generic version of Qelbree available.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. If your request is denied, you have the right to file an appeal with your plan.
When it’s time for open enrollment, compare different health insurance plans to find one that provides the coverage you need.
How much does Qelbree cost without insurance?
Without insurance, what you’ll pay for Qelbree depends on several factors, including your:
Specific pharmacy
Geographic location
Fill amount
Medication dose
The following table shows the average cash price for 30 capsules of Qelbree at different doses.
Qelbree Costs
Qelbree quantity and dose | Average cash price |
|---|---|
30 capsules (100 mg) | |
30 capsules (150 mg) | |
30 capsules (200 mg) |
Ways to save on Qelbree without insurance
Qelbree may be a stretch for your budget. It's a brand-name medication, and those tend to cost more than generic treatments. Whether or not you have insurance, there are ways to reduce the cost of your prescription. Here are five options.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a free GoodRx coupon, you could get a lower price for your Qelbree prescription at your pharmacy. For example, without insurance, the average price of 30 capsules of 200 mg Qelbree is $459.91. But you could pay as low as $358.82 with a GoodRx coupon at certain pharmacies.
To get a coupon, visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device. Type “Qelbree” in the search field, and choose the dose and quantity you have been prescribed. Make sure the search results show prices at local pharmacies. You can input your ZIP code or address, or you can select “Use my current location.” Then, choose if you want to receive your coupon by email or text or you want to print it out.
Take your coupon with you to the pharmacy. You can present the coupon to the pharmacy staff early in the filling process to avoid delays at the pickup counter.
2. Get a manufacturer savings card
Qelbree’s manufacturer offers a savings card that can potentially lower your costs. Check your eligibility by visiting GoodRx and answering a few questions.
If you have commercial insurance — meaning, you don't have government-sponsored insurance like Medicare or Medicaid — you may be able to pay as little as $20 per prescription with a manufacturer’s copay savings card. If you are a cash-paying consumer or don’t have insurance, you may be able to get up to $150 off of 30 capsules or up to $300 off of 60 to 90 capsules through a GoodRx discount partnership with the manufacturer.
3. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx lets you easily compare Qelbree costs at different pharmacies in your area. You might find it’s worth driving a bit further to get a discounted price.
4. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
Qelbree isn’t the only nonstimulant medication that can treat ADHD. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost options.
5. Use tax-advantaged healthcare funds
Consider using a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to purchase your medication. These types of accounts have multiple tax benefits when used to cover healthcare costs. This can reduce your out-of-pocket spending through tax savings. Just be sure to review your account’s contribution limits, rollover limits, and eligible expenses.
The bottom line
Qelbree (viloxazine) is a prescription-only oral medication that is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 and older. This medication has been found to improve ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and lack of focus.
Qelbree is only available as a brand-name medication. How much you pay will depend on factors like the pharmacy you choose and your insurance coverage. If you don’t have insurance, the average price of 30 capsules of 200 mg Qelbree is $459.91. You could pay as little as $358.82 with a GoodRx coupon at select pharmacies.
You could also save on the medication by using a manufacturer savings card, paying with a tax-advantaged healthcare account, asking your prescriber about less-costly alternatives, and shopping around at different pharmacies.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of February 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. (2024). Stimulant versus non-stimulant treatment options for ADHD.
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is ADHD? Psychiatry.org.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association. (n.d.). ADHD: The facts.
Garcia-Oliveras, J., et al. (2024). Viloxazine increases extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the rat prefrontal cortex at doses relevant for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
Staley, B. S., et al. (2024). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, treatment, and telehealth use in adults — National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, United States, October–November 2023. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Qelbree (viloxazine extended-release capsules), for oral use [package insert].
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