Qelbree Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Qelbree Abuse

Qelbree is a popular non-stimulant medication used in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also sold under its generic name of viloxazine hydrochloride. Currently, doctors prescribe it to treat adults, children and adolescents with ADHD.

Even though Qelbree isn’t a stimulant like other traditional ADHD medications, there’s a growing concern around its potential for misuse, psychological dependence and off-label use. In rare instances, a person’s viloxazine misuse can become so severe that they require treatment at a professional drug and alcohol rehab facility.

This article will explore Qelbree abuse signs and symptoms, possible side effects and withdrawal symptoms, as well as risk factors and information about how to get diagnosed.

While Qelbree has a different mechanism of action than other traditional forms of ADHD medications, using it can still potentially lead to non-stimulant ADHD drug abuse and addiction in rare cases.

Qelbree is what’s known as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), meaning it blocks the norepinephrine transporter. This results in an increase in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine due to its reabsorption being blocked. In turn, people experience an increase in attention and alertness while experiencing a decrease in impulsivity.

Qelbree also acts as a serotonin modulator, which can help to stabilize mood, regulate emotions and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

While misuse of Qelbree is less common than abuse of stimulant ADHD medications, people may still be tempted to misuse it due to its effects on norepinephrine and serotonin.

Reasons people misuse Qelbree include:

• Mood enhancement
• Self-medication for issues like anxiety, stress and trauma or undiagnosed mental health conditions
• Peer influence or general curiosity
• False perception of safety compared to simulants
• To enjoy recreationally or to promote focus and energy before an exam or specific event

Because Qelbree affects the brain chemicals of norepinephrine and serotonin, people will feel a change in their emotion regulation and ability to cope with stress. These changes are in addition to improvements in their concentration, mood and focus.

Over time, and especially with high doses and prolonged use, people can develop a psychological dependence. Psychological dependence means they feel and believe that they need the medication to function normally, even though they don’t actually experience any physical withdrawal from it.

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s essential to understand the difference between prescription drug misuse or abuse and addiction involving Qelbree.

Abuse of Qelbree generally means using it without a prescription, using it in higher doses than prescribed or using it for unintended purposes. Misuse of viloxazine can also mean using it along with other substances to amplify each other’s effects and produce a stronger “high.”

Quelbree addiction, on the other hand, means a continued and compulsive use of the medication despite it having negative consequences in a person’s life, often affecting their relationships and responsibilities.

People who are addicted may also have a mental or emotional reliance on the drug, believing that they can’t function normally without it. If they’ve developed a tolerance as well, they’ll require continually higher doses to feel the same effects.

Repeated abuse and compulsive Qelbree use can increase a person’s chance of developing an addiction over time because it causes lasting changes in their brain and allows for a tolerance to build up. The chances of this, however, are less likely with a non-stimulant like Qelbree, as it doesn’t affect a person’s dopamine levels in the same way that stimulants do.

While Qelbree doesn’t cause physical dependence in the traditional sense, it can still cause functional and psychological dependence in some users.

Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body becomes accustomed to the presence of a drug and develops a tolerance to it, meaning they need more of it to experience the same effects they have become used to. They also experience withdrawal symptoms when not using it.

On the other hand, psychological addiction may be described as an emotional or mental craving for a drug, along with continued use despite experiencing negative consequences.

Qelbree doesn’t typically cause tolerance to build up over time, even with long-term use. When people do experience a reduction in its effectiveness, it’s usually temporary and the result of other factors like stress or a dosage change.

Because the risk of Qelbree dependence is low, viloxazine withdrawal symptoms are also uncommon. Some users may notice mood changes, sleep disturbances or a return of their ADHD symptoms. However, these symptoms are usually mild.

People can still develop an ADHD drug tolerance to Qelbree as a non-stimulant, because the drug affects key transmitters in the brain involved in mood and emotion regulation. As a result, they can develop a behavioral or emotional reliance on it.

Someone may also experience a functional dependence if they stop taking Qelbree abruptly and then experience a sudden return or worsening of their ADHD symptoms.

It’s crucial to be aware of the signs of Qelbree addiction or abuse, especially if you or a loved one has a current prescription.

The signs of Qelbree misuse can present as both physical symptoms and behavioral signs, the latter of which are commonly found among a variety of substance addictions. Knowing the symptoms and being able to recognize the non-stimulant misuse signs could save someone’s life.

Physical signs of Qelbree misuse include:

• Excessive drowsiness or sedation
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Constipation and stomach pain

Behavioral signs of Qelbree misuse include:

• Taking larger doses than prescribed
• Using without a prescription
• Doctor shopping
• Mood changes, such as euphoria or irritability
• Obsessive thoughts about the medication
• Avoiding responsibilities
• Using in combination with other substances for stronger effects

Most people using Qelbree as directed won’t experience any withdrawal symptoms as long as they stop taking it under the medical advice of their physician through tapering.

Withdrawal symptoms after stopping viloxazine are typically mild in most cases, but can be more serious in cases of long-term use or when a person stops using it suddenly.

Withdrawal symptoms of Qelbree include:

• Mood swings or depression
• Irritability or anxiety
• Trouble sleeping, nightmares and other sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Rebound symptoms of ADHD
• Lethargy
• Brain fog
• Flu-like symptoms

Not everyone who stops taking Qelbree will experience the same withdrawal symptoms, and some people may experience no withdrawal symptoms at all. The strongest non-stimulant ADHD drug withdrawal symptoms are usually felt by those who were on a high dose of Qelbree, were on it for an extended period of time or stopped taking it abruptly.

In addition to the signs of addiction and withdrawal, several side effects can also be present when someone is misusing or abusing Qelbree that aren’t typically present with regular use.

Qelbree side effects can happen both after immediate use and after misusing the drug for an extended period of time. Common side effects of Qelbree abuse can be more severe for people with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular issues. Continued abuse can also raise a person’s Qelbree overdose risk.

Short-term side effects of Qelbree misuse include:

• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Headaches
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Increased sweating or flushing
• Rapid heart rate
• Elevated blood pressure

Long-term side effects of Qelbree misuse include:

• Irritability or aggression
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm risk, especially in young people
• Seizures (rare but serious)
• Blood pressure or heart rate changes
• Increased risk of mental health issues when misused
• Increased risk of serotonin syndrome
• Psychological dependence

In addition to the viloxazine abuse dangers listed above, Qelbree also contains a black box warning — the FDA’s highest safety warning. This warning is due to an increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors found in clinical trials for the drug.

Additional warnings from the FDA regarding serious side effects of Qelbree include:

• Potential cardiovascular effects from an increase in blood pressure and heart rate
• Potential mania or hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder
• Potential for central nervous system (CNS) depression
• Potential for dangerous drug interactions, especially with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Having a prescription for Qelbree is one of the most significant risk factors for Qelbree addiction, but certainly not the only Qelbree addiction risk factor that people should be aware of.

Qelbree misuse can happen to anyone of any age or lifestyle, but is more likely to occur among certain groups, even though it’s not considered to be addictive.

People most at risk for Qelbree misuse include:

• Individuals with a family history or personal history of substance use
• People with untreated anxiety or depression
• People with high amounts of stress or recent trauma
• People with easy access to the medication
• Teens and young adults
• Those seeking alternatives to stimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD
• Individuals with limited access to medical care or support

People, especially young people, may also be at risk for Qelbree abuse if they’re experiencing academic pressure and view ADHD medications as a means of improving their performance. This risk is especially true if they know their peers are also using them to excel.

Additional non-stimulant drug abuse triggers can be the temptation to use Qelbree to self-medicate for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, due to its mood-enhancing capabilities.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is living with an addiction to Qelbree, it can be a good idea to be evaluated to receive an official diagnosis.

Diagnosing Qelbree misuse often involves multiple types of interviews and screening tests to test for both the presence of addiction and its level of severity. In addition to the tests listed below to diagnose Qelbree misuse, physicians may also want to test a person’s serotonin levels to check for risk of serotonin syndrome.

Healthcare professionals can diagnose substance use disorders in a few ways, including:

• Clinical interviews and behavioral assessments
• Assessments of medical and psychiatric histories
• DSM-5 substance use disorder criteria
• Use of screening tools and questionnaires
• Lab tests to detect polydrug abuse
• Review of prescription history and usage patterns

Because substance use disorders are clinical conditions, only trained professionals should diagnose them. These professionals are usually a doctor, psychiatrist or addiction specialist.

Furthermore, the patient should show a consistent pattern of misuse or abuse over time. Using a drug occasionally or experimentally a few times doesn’t indicate an addiction has formed.

If you’re concerned about your or a loved one’s Qelbree use, it’s critical to seek support and help for Qelbree addiction as soon as possible.

You can find vetted high-quality rehab centers throughout the United States using RehabNet as your free and confidential addiction help resource. Not only can we connect you to local facilities in your area, but we also offer a helpline to answer questions and provide guidance as you navigate your recovery journey.

It’s never too late to get started. ADHD drug recovery help is available and a new life is possible. Contact us today at RehabNet addiction assistance for more information.