Do you also have a hard time staying focused on one task? Or is your child someone who is impulsive, does random things, and can't stay in one place? In medical terms, we call this condition ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) . So, Viloxazine is a medication that doctors recommend to help manage this condition. Let's learn about it simply and precisely.
What kind of medicine is Viloxazine?
Viloxazine (brand name: QELBREE) is a medication used to treat ADHD. It works primarily by improving attention span and controlling impulsive behavior.
Simply put, this belongs to a class of drugs called SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) . This means that this drug controls the activity of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) naturally present in our brain, helping to improve our attention and behavior patterns.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication for you or your child, it is very important to discuss your complete health history with your doctor, as some medical conditions require special care when using this medication.
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has any of the following conditions: | |
|---|---|
| Mental health problems | Other mental health conditions such as depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. |
| Suicidal thoughts | If you or someone in your family has previously thought about, planned, or attempted suicide. |
| Heart disease | High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or other heart disease. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have any kidney or liver disease. |
| Use of MAOI drugs | If you have taken an MAOI (e.g., Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine) medication within the last 14 days. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to Viloxazine or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
It is very important to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- Try to take it at the same time every day.
- You can take it before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset, it's best to take it with food.
- Most importantly: Never break, crush, or chew these capsules. Swallow the capsules whole.
- For children or those who have difficulty swallowing: If your child has difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open the capsule and mix the powder into a teaspoon of applesauce. However, if you do, you should swallow the mixture immediately or within 2 hours. Do not chew the powder or applesauce.
- Continue taking the medicine until the doctor tells you to stop.
Important: What to do if you take too much medicine? If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
Other drugs that may interact with Viloxazine
When taking this medicine, you should also be careful about the other medications you are taking. It can be dangerous to use it with some medications.
| Drugs that should never be taken with Viloxazine | |
|---|---|
| MAOI drugs | Like Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline. |
| Other medications | Alosetron, Duloxetine, Ramelteon, Tasimelteon, Theophylline, Thioridazine, Tizanidine. |
| Other drugs that may interact with Viloxazine (inform the doctor) | |
|---|---|
| Atomoxetine | Clozapine |
| Melatonin | Pirfenidone |
| Certain medications taken for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. | |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you take.
Things to consider when using the medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: See how the medicine is affecting you, see your doctor on the scheduled days. Tell him immediately if your symptoms do not improve or worsen.
- Behavioral changes:
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make some people feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore , avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Taking this medication with alcohol increases this risk.
- Loss of appetite: It is normal to experience loss of appetite when you first start taking the medication. As a solution, you can eat small amounts of food several times a day instead of eating a large meal at a time. If this condition persists, talk to your doctor.
- Growth in children: This medicine may slow growth in children who take high doses of this medicine for a long time. Therefore, your doctor will regularly check your child's height and weight.
- Storage: Store at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius) out of the reach of children and pets. Do not use expired medication.
- Disposal: The best way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications is to donate them to a medication take-back program. Ask your doctor about this. If that's not possible, crush the medication, mix it with something like used coffee grounds or soil, and place it in a sealable bag and throw it in the trash.
- Viloxazine is a medication used to treat ADHD. It increases attention and controls impulsive behavior.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Do not crush, crush, or chew the medicine. Swallow whole. You can mix it with applesauce if desired.
- If you or your child notice any changes in their behavior, especially suicidal thoughts, notify your doctor immediately.
- If you miss a dose, never take a double dose.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others.
If you or your family notice any unusual changes in your behavior (e.g., agitation, irritability, increased depression, memory loss), especially if you have thoughts of suicide , talk to your doctor right away. This is very important.
Side effects of the medicine
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in behavior and mood | Anxiety, irritability, mental confusion, suicidal thoughts, increased depression. |
| Heartbeat | Fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Blood pressure | Increased blood pressure. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | Vomiting |
| Fatigue | Difficulty falling asleep |
| Anger | Appetite |
| Nausea | |
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