Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsQelbree vs. Strattera: What Are They and What Do They Do?Main Differences and SimilaritiesWhich Is More Effective?Side EffectsOther PrecautionsHow to Find the Right ADHD Medication
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Qelbree vs. Strattera: What Are They and What Do They Do?
Main Differences and Similarities
Which Is More Effective?
Side Effects
Other Precautions
How to Find the Right ADHD Medication
Multiple treatment options are available for managing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including stimulant and non-stimulant medications. Qelbree (viloxazine) andStrattera (atomoxetine)are two examples of non-stimulant ADHD medications.
Both Qelbree and Strattera are serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). They help increase levels ofnorepinephrineandserotonin, two chemicals in the brain, to manageADHDsymptoms like impulsivity, inattention, and others.
Though they work similarly, the two have a few differences, particularly in dosing and administration. Unlike Strattera, Qelbree is available in an extended-release (ER) formulation.
Getty Images /Vince Talotta/ Contributor
Qelbree (viloxazine) is a medication that can help manage ADHD symptoms. It belongs to a class of medications called SNRIs. Strattera (atomoxetine) is also an SNRI that can help manage your ADHD.
Stimulant vs. Nonstimulants for ADHD
Non-stimulant medications are often taken when stimulants do not work. Unlike stimulants, non-stimulants do not have a risk of misuse and dependency. Examples of non-stimulant medications include:
The following table compares the main differences and similarities between Strattera and Qelbree.
Which Is More Effective for Treating ADHD?
Both medications have proved better at treating ADHD than aplacebo(a medication that looks like a normal tablet or capsule but has no therapeutic effect).
In one small trial of 50 participants, those who switched from treatment with Strattera to Qelbree showed greater improvement in their ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and hyperactivity. However, this study was an open-label opt-in trial, which may have affected the results.
Both medications carry a box warning for a serious risk of increased suicidal thoughts and ideations. Signs of needing to alert you or your child’s healthcare provider may include sudden mood or behavioral changes when starting or changing the dose of your medication.
Common side effects of Strattera can include:
More rare but severe side effects for Strattera included:
Common side effects of Qelbree include:
More serious side effects of Qelbree can include:
Do not start Strattera or Qelbree if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to either medication or their ingredients.
Before starting Qelbree, talk to your healthcare provider about:
Before starting Strattera, talk to your healthcare provider about:
You should not take Strattera if you have or have a history of the following:
Risk of Misuse and Dependence
Because Strattera and Qelbree are non-stimulant medications, their risk for misuse is not commonly compared to other medications taken for ADHD treatment.
Studies have shown that Strattera is not habit-forming compared to a placebo (a drug that has no active ingredient in it). You can abruptly stop taking it if your healthcare provider requests this.
Drug Interactions
Examples of these medications include:
If you are taking Strattera, certain medications can cause interactions and unwanted side effects, for example:
Stimulants are commonly prescribed as first-line treatments for ADHD. However, some cases may call for non-stimulants instead, such as:
Qelbree and Strattera work similarly, and little research exists on whether one is more effective at managing ADHD. One benefit of Qelbree over Strattera is that the capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto pudding or applesauce, whereas Strattera must be swallowed whole. Therefore, if you or your child have trouble swallowing pills, Qelbree may be a better option.
However, Qelbree has no generic option, so it will likely be more expensive. For this reason, insurance companies may be more likely to cover Strattera before paying for Qelbree.
Summary
Qelbree and Strattera both offer similar benefits in that they are not habit-forming and do not have the same kind of side effects as stimulants. If you can’t swallow pills, Qelbree may be preferred because you can open the capsule and consume its contents with food. Insurance coverage may also factor into which medication you take.
Discuss your medication and health history with your healthcare provider to find out if either medication is right for you.
The author would like to thank and recognize Jon Candelaria for contributing to this article.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dezfouli RA, Hosseinpour A, Ketabforoush S, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in controlling ADHD symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024;31,8.DailyMed.Strattera label.DailyMed.Qelbree label.Saboory E, Ghasemi M, Mehranfard N.Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior.Neurochem Int. 2020;135:104706. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104706De Crescenzo F, Ziganshina LE, Yudina EV, et al.Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(6):CD013044. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013044Farzam K, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A.Stimulants. [Updated 2023 Jul 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Clemow DB, Bushe CJ.Atomoxetine in patients with ADHD: a clinical and pharmacological review of the onset, trajectory, duration of response and implications for patients.J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(12):1221-1230. doi:10.1177/0269881115602489Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Wagner JH, et al.Viloxazine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:789982. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.789982Robinson CL, Parker K, Kataria S, et al.Viloxazine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(3):38360. doi:10.52965/001c.38360Fan LY, Chou TL, Gau SSF.Neural correlates of atomoxetine improving inhibitory control and visual processing in drug-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38(10):4850-4864. doi:10.1002/hbm.23683Price MZ, Price RL.Extended-release viloxazine compared with atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(7):655-660. doi:10.1007/s40263-023-01023-6
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dezfouli RA, Hosseinpour A, Ketabforoush S, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in controlling ADHD symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024;31,8.DailyMed.Strattera label.DailyMed.Qelbree label.Saboory E, Ghasemi M, Mehranfard N.Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior.Neurochem Int. 2020;135:104706. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104706De Crescenzo F, Ziganshina LE, Yudina EV, et al.Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(6):CD013044. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013044Farzam K, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A.Stimulants. [Updated 2023 Jul 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Clemow DB, Bushe CJ.Atomoxetine in patients with ADHD: a clinical and pharmacological review of the onset, trajectory, duration of response and implications for patients.J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(12):1221-1230. doi:10.1177/0269881115602489Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Wagner JH, et al.Viloxazine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:789982. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.789982Robinson CL, Parker K, Kataria S, et al.Viloxazine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(3):38360. doi:10.52965/001c.38360Fan LY, Chou TL, Gau SSF.Neural correlates of atomoxetine improving inhibitory control and visual processing in drug-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38(10):4850-4864. doi:10.1002/hbm.23683Price MZ, Price RL.Extended-release viloxazine compared with atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(7):655-660. doi:10.1007/s40263-023-01023-6
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dezfouli RA, Hosseinpour A, Ketabforoush S, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in controlling ADHD symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024;31,8.DailyMed.Strattera label.DailyMed.Qelbree label.Saboory E, Ghasemi M, Mehranfard N.Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior.Neurochem Int. 2020;135:104706. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104706De Crescenzo F, Ziganshina LE, Yudina EV, et al.Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(6):CD013044. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013044Farzam K, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A.Stimulants. [Updated 2023 Jul 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.Clemow DB, Bushe CJ.Atomoxetine in patients with ADHD: a clinical and pharmacological review of the onset, trajectory, duration of response and implications for patients.J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(12):1221-1230. doi:10.1177/0269881115602489Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Wagner JH, et al.Viloxazine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:789982. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.789982Robinson CL, Parker K, Kataria S, et al.Viloxazine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(3):38360. doi:10.52965/001c.38360Fan LY, Chou TL, Gau SSF.Neural correlates of atomoxetine improving inhibitory control and visual processing in drug-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38(10):4850-4864. doi:10.1002/hbm.23683Price MZ, Price RL.Extended-release viloxazine compared with atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(7):655-660. doi:10.1007/s40263-023-01023-6
Dezfouli RA, Hosseinpour A, Ketabforoush S, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in controlling ADHD symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024;31,8.
DailyMed.Strattera label.
DailyMed.Qelbree label.
Saboory E, Ghasemi M, Mehranfard N.Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior.Neurochem Int. 2020;135:104706. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104706
De Crescenzo F, Ziganshina LE, Yudina EV, et al.Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(6):CD013044. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013044
Farzam K, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A.Stimulants. [Updated 2023 Jul 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Clemow DB, Bushe CJ.Atomoxetine in patients with ADHD: a clinical and pharmacological review of the onset, trajectory, duration of response and implications for patients.J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(12):1221-1230. doi:10.1177/0269881115602489
Edinoff AN, Akuly HA, Wagner JH, et al.Viloxazine in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:789982. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.789982
Robinson CL, Parker K, Kataria S, et al.Viloxazine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(3):38360. doi:10.52965/001c.38360
Fan LY, Chou TL, Gau SSF.Neural correlates of atomoxetine improving inhibitory control and visual processing in drug-naïve adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Hum Brain Mapp. 2017;38(10):4850-4864. doi:10.1002/hbm.23683
Price MZ, Price RL.Extended-release viloxazine compared with atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(7):655-660. doi:10.1007/s40263-023-01023-6
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