Choosing ADHD Medication: A Guide for Adults and Children
How do you choose the best medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Here’s what you need to know about ADHD medications, from how they work to the risks.
Qelbree
Used for ADHD
Used for ADHD
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.
What is Qelbree (viloxazine)?
What is Qelbree (viloxazine) used for?
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older
How Qelbree (viloxazine) works
Qelbree (viloxazine) is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). It's not exactly known how the medication treats symptoms of ADHD. But it's thought to raise the norepinephrine levels in the brain. This might help you pay attention better and stay more organized.
When does Qelbree (viloxazine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Qelbree |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Qelbree (viloxazine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
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%)
Less Common Side Effects
Adults
- Feeling irritable
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Acid reflux
- Fast heart beat
Children
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling irritable
- Fever
Qelbree (viloxazine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Unusual mood or behavior changes: depression, anxiety, panic attack, irritability, aggression, impulsive behavior
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Dangerously high heart rate or high blood pressure: severe headache, nosebleed, vision problems, trouble breathing, chest pain, chest pounding
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The following Qelbree (viloxazine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Qelbree (viloxazine)
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
Pharmacist tips for Qelbree (viloxazine)
- You can take Qelbree (viloxazine) with or without food. Sometimes, this medication can hurt your stomach. If this happens, you can try taking it with food to help.
- Swallow the Qelbree (viloxazine) capsules whole. Don't cut, crush, or chew them.
- If you can't swallow the Qelbree (viloxazine) capsule whole, you can open it and sprinkle all the powder onto 1 teaspoon of applesauce or pudding. Then, swallow it right away — within 15 minutes if using pudding or within 2 hours if using applesauce. Don't chew the mixture when you swallow it.
- Qelbree (viloxazine) might make you feel less hungry. If you notice that you're eating less or have any changes in weight that worry you, talk to your prescriber. They can suggest ways to help make sure you get all the nutrition you need to stay healthy.
- Qelbree (viloxazine) can make you very sleepy or tired. This can make it harder to focus, think, or react quickly. Don't drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Don't drink alcohol while taking Qelbree (viloxazine). This can make side effects like dizziness and sleepiness worse.
- Check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly at home if your prescriber tells you to. Qelbree (viloxazine) can make these vital signs go up. Let your care team know if they're higher than usual.
- Watch for any unusual changes in your mood or behavior while taking Qelbree (viloxazine). Talk to your prescriber if anything worries you. Call 911 right away if you think about hurting yourself.
- Share a list of all your medications with your healthcare team. Tell them about any new medications before you start them. Qelbree (viloxazine) can interact with many medications. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take with each other.
- If you're pregnant or think you might be, tell your prescriber right away. Qelbree (viloxazine) might not be safe for you and your unborn baby during pregnancy. Stop taking it until you talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits. If you decide to take Qelbree (viloxazine) while pregnant, you can join a pregnancy registry. This helps researchers learn more about how safe the medication is during pregnancy. Ask your prescriber if you want to join.
- If you're breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of taking Qelbree (viloxazine). There's not enough information to know for sure if it's safe for you and your baby while breastfeeding.
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Risks and warnings for Qelbree (viloxazine)
Qelbree (viloxazine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and unusual behavior
Qelbree (viloxazine) can raise the risk of having thoughts about suicide or harming yourself. The risk might be highest in the first few months of treatment and when your dose changes.
Tell your prescriber if you or a loved one notices an unusual change in your mood or behavior. Watch for signs like a depressed mood, anxiety, impulsive behavior, and trouble sleeping. Call 911 right away if you start thinking about hurting yourself.
High blood pressure and fast heart rate
Qelbree (viloxazine) can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Your prescriber will check these vital signs before you start the medication. They'll also check after any dose changes and periodically during follow-up visits. They also might suggest that you check your blood pressure and heart rate at home.
If you notice these vital signs stay higher than usual, let your care team know. Call your prescriber right away if you notice a severe headache, trouble breathing, chest pain, or chest pounding. These can be signs of very high blood pressure or heart rate.
Risk of mania in people with bipolar disorder
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of bipolar disorder, depression, or suicide
Qelbree (viloxazine) can cause a manic or mixed episode in people with bipolar disorder. Before starting this medication, tell your prescriber about your medical history. Let them know if you or a family member has bipolar disorder, depression, or has tried to hurt themselves. Your prescriber can check your risk for bipolar disorder.
Talk to your prescriber right away if you or a loved one notices unusual changes in your behavior. Watch for signs like racing thoughts, reckless behavior, feeling very happy, or talking more than usual.
Drug interactions
Qelbree (viloxazine) can interact with many medications. One example is with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine (Nardil). You shouldn't take them with Qelbree (viloxazine) or within 2 weeks of each other. Otherwise, this can cause dangerously high blood pressure. Qelbree (viloxazine) can also raise the levels of certain medications, like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and warfarin (Coumadin). This can lead to harmful side effects.
Make sure your prescriber and pharmacist know about all the medications you take or plan to take. Don't start any new medications while taking Qelbree (viloxazine) without telling them. Your care team can check that your medications are safe to take together.
Qelbree (viloxazine) dosage
The average cost for 30 capsules of 200mg of Qelbree (viloxazine) is $20.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 96.01% off the average retail price of $500.88. 
Capsule
Capsule| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 30 capsules | $20.00 | $0.67 |
| 150mg | 30 capsules | $20.00 | $0.67 |
| 200mg | 30 capsules | $20.00 | $0.67 |
Typical dosage for Qelbree (viloxazine)
- Ages 18 years and older: The typical starting dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 600 mg daily.
- Ages 12 to 17 years: The typical starting dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 400 mg daily.
- Ages 6 to 11 years: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth once daily. The maximum dose is 400 mg daily.
Your prescriber will adjust your dose depending on how well the medication is working for you and if you have side effects. Your dose will also be adjusted if you have severe kidney problems.
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How much does Qelbree (viloxazine) cost?
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Qelbree (brand)
$20.00
Qelbree (viloxazine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Qelbree (viloxazine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken an MAOI within 14 days
- Take Qelbree (viloxazine) with medications called CYP1A2 substrates. Examples include duloxetine (Cymbalta), warfarin (Coumadin), and [theophylline], among others
What are alternatives to Qelbree (viloxazine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Qelbree (viloxazine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Qelbree (viloxazine) images
