October 2026

What Is the Brand Name for Viloxazine?

By Your Health Magazine Health Information Team

The brand name for viloxazine in the United States is Qelbree. Viloxazine is the medication’s generic or active-drug name, while Qelbree is the trade name used for the extended-release prescription product. As of October 2026, Qelbree is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children age 6 and older.

Viloxazine and Qelbree: What Is the Difference?

Viloxazine and Qelbree refer to the same active medication, but the names serve different purposes. A prescription, pharmacy label, or insurance document may use either name.

Name	What It Means
Viloxazine	The generic name of the active medication
Viloxazine hydrochloride	The chemical salt form used in the product
Qelbree	The U.S. brand name for viloxazine extended-release capsules

The current DailyMed labeling for Qelbree lists extended-release capsules containing the equivalent of 100, 150, or 200 milligrams of viloxazine. These are product strengths, not recommendations for an individual patient. A prescriber determines the appropriate amount based on factors such as age, response, other medications, and kidney function.

What Is Qelbree Used For?

Qelbree is a nonstimulant prescription medication used to treat ADHD. It is classified as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Although its precise therapeutic mechanism in ADHD is not fully understood, it affects norepinephrine activity in the brain.

The FDA-approved prescribing information for Qelbree covers adults and pediatric patients age 6 and older. It is not approved for children younger than 6. Qelbree may be one part of a broader ADHD treatment plan that can also include behavioral support, counseling, school accommodations, or organizational strategies.

Qelbree is not a stimulant and is not the same medication as atomoxetine, guanfacine, clonidine, methylphenidate, or amphetamine products. Although some of these medicines are also prescribed for ADHD, they contain different active ingredients and should not be considered alternate brand names for viloxazine.

How Is Qelbree Formulated?

Qelbree is supplied as an extended-release capsule, meaning the medication is formulated to be released over time. The capsule may be swallowed whole. According to the product labeling, it can also be opened and the entire contents sprinkled on applesauce or pudding when swallowing a capsule is difficult. The granules should not be cut, crushed, or chewed.

Patients and caregivers should follow the pharmacy label and the prescriber’s directions rather than selecting a dose based on capsule color or strength. Do not start, stop, or change the medication without guidance from the prescribing clinician.

Important Warnings and Drug Interactions

Qelbree has an FDA boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Patients, parents, and caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression, unusual agitation, withdrawal, aggression, impulsive behavior, severe anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm, particularly after treatment begins or the prescribed amount changes. The MedlinePlus viloxazine medication guide provides additional consumer-focused safety information.

Other important precautions include:

Blood pressure and heart rate: Viloxazine can increase both, so clinicians may check them before and during treatment.
Mania or hypomania: The medication may trigger manic symptoms in susceptible people. A prescriber should know about any personal or family history of bipolar disorder, depression, or suicide.
Sleepiness and fatigue: Patients should learn how the medication affects them before driving or operating hazardous equipment.
Medication interactions: Qelbree must not be combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or used within 14 days after stopping one. It can also affect the metabolism of certain drugs processed by the CYP1A2 enzyme.
Pregnancy and kidney disease: People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, breastfeeding, or living with impaired kidney function should discuss these circumstances with their prescriber.

Give the prescribing clinician and pharmacist a complete list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and caffeine use. General resources for checking reliable medication information are also available through MedlinePlus drug information.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects vary by age and individual response. Commonly reported effects in children and adolescents include sleepiness, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and irritability. In adults, commonly reported effects include insomnia, headache, sleepiness, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and constipation.

A child’s clinician may monitor weight and growth because reduced appetite and changes in weight gain can occur. Digestive symptoms do not always come from a medication, so persistent symptoms may require evaluation for other causes. For related digestive-health information, read about the possible connection between acid reflux and diarrhea.

When to Seek Care

Contact the prescribing clinician promptly if side effects are severe, persistent, or interfering with eating, sleeping, school, work, or daily activities. Medical evaluation is also appropriate for a racing or irregular heartbeat, significant blood pressure changes, extreme drowsiness, or symptoms of mania such as unusually elevated mood, markedly reduced need for sleep, or uncontrolled activity.

Seek immediate help for thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a suicide attempt, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction. In the United States, call or text 988 for a mental health or suicide crisis. Call 911 when there is immediate danger or a medical emergency.

In short, the viloxazine brand name is Qelbree. Anyone prescribed it should review the Medication Guide, discuss interactions with a pharmacist or prescriber, and attend recommended follow-up appointments for monitoring.