This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.
WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS In clinical studies, higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior were reported in patients with ADHD treated with Qelbree than in patients treated with placebo . Closely monitor all Qelbree-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. In clinical trials, higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior were reported in patients treated with Qelbree than in patients treated with placebo. Closely monitor for worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors ( 5.1 ).
Qelbree is indicated for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older. Qelbree is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older ( 1 )
Qelbree is contraindicated in patients: receiving concomitant treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), or within 14 days following discontinuing an MAOI, because of an increased risk of hypertensive crisis [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . receiving concomitant administration of sensitive CYP1A2 substrates or CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic range [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Concomitant administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), or dosing within 14 days after discontinuing an MAOI ( 4 , 7.1 ) Concomitant administration of sensitive CYP1A2 substrates or CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic range ( 4 , 7.1 )
Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Increases: Assess heart rate and blood pressure prior to initiating treatment, following increases in dosage, and periodically while on therapy ( 5.2 ) Activation of Mania or Hypomania: Screen patients for bipolar disorder ( 5.3 ) Somnolence and Fatigue: Advise patients to use caution when driving or operating hazardous machinery due to potential somnolence (including sedation and lethargy) and fatigue ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors were reported in pediatric and adult patients with ADHD treated with Qelbree than in patients treated with placebo. Among 1019 pediatric patients exposed to Qelbree 100 mg to 400 mg in short-term trials, a total of nine patients (0.9%) reported suicidal ideation (N=6), behavior (N=1) or both (N=2). Eight patients reported suicidal ideation or behavior on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), a validated scale that assesses suicide risk. An additional patient treated with Qelbree reported suicidal behavior during the clinical trials, but did not report it on the C-SSRS. Among 463 patients treated with placebo in these studies, two patients (0.4%) rep...
The following serious adverse reactions are described in other sections of the labeling: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Increases [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Activation of Mania or Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Most commonly observed adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) were: Pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age : somnolence, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and irritability ( 6.1 ) Adult patients : insomnia, headache, somnolence, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, dry mouth and constipation ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Supernus Pharmaceuticals at 1-866-398-0833 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of Qelbree has been evaluated in 111...
Source: FDA SPL label for QELBREE, effective 20251205. Full label on DailyMed.
These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.
| 2005 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 63 | 219 | 205 | 194 | 303 | 331 |
Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.
Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.
In 2024, drug companies reported $4,364,969 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 61,140 transactions (Qelbree $4,364,969).
No pending federal MDL names this drug or its brands.
Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.
Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.
No same-class alternatives found in RxClass.