Qelbree (viloxazine HCl)

Antidepressants Oral Capsule, Ext Release 24 Hr

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Viloxazine hydrochloride is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

Viloxazine binds to norepinephrine transporter (NET) and selectively inhibits norepinephrine reuptake; it is not considered a stimulant.

The exact mechanism(s) of action of viloxazine in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has not been fully elucidated but, based on in vitro studies, the drug appears to increase brain norepinephrine concentrations via norepinephrine reuptake blockade, with no direct effect on in vitro norepinephrine release. In vitro evidence is inadequate to support a clear drug effect, agonist or antagonist activity, on serotonin (5-HT) receptors 1A, 1B, 2B, 2C, and 7. Nonclinical studies suggest the potential for viloxazine to inhibit cardiac sodium channels; however, no effect was observed on the PR interval or QRS duration when healthy volunteers received viloxazine.

Viloxazine did not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent at a dose 3 times the maximum recommended dose.

The relative bioavailability of viloxazine hydrochloride extended-release (ER) capsules relative to an immediate-release formulation (IR) is about 88%. Following a single 200 mg dose, the median time to peak plasma concentration of viloxazine was approximately 5 hours (range 3 to 9 hours); the mean half-life was 7.02 hours. Over a dosage range from 100 to 600 mg once daily, viloxazine peak plasma concentration and AUC increased proportionally; steady-state was reached after two days and no accumulation was observed.

Administration of viloxazine with a high-fat meal reduced the peak plasma concentration and AUC by about 9 and 8%, respectively; time to peak plasma concentration increased by about 2 hours. Sprinkling the contents of a viloxazine ER capsule on applesauce reduced the peak plasma concentration and AUC by about 10 and 5%, respectively.

Viloxazine is 76-82% protein bound. The drug is primarily metabolized by cytochrome (CYP) P-450 isoenzyme 2D6 and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A9 and 2B15; the major metabolite detected in plasma is 5-hydroxy-viloxazine glucuronide. Renal excretion is the primary route of elimination; 90% of a radiolabeled viloxazine dose was recovered in urine within the first 24 hours post-dose.

Less than 1% of the dose is excreted in the feces.

The estimated steady-state peak plasma concentration and exposure (AUC) of viloxazine and its major metabolite, at doses ranging from 200 to 400 mg, was approximately 130 to 250% and 60 to 140% higher in pediatric patients 6 to 11 and 12 to 17 years of age, respectively, compared to adults.

Viloxazine peak plasma concentration and AUC were not significantly changed in patients with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment. Viloxazine peak plasma concentration and AUC increased in patients with severe renal impairment compared to those with mild or moderate impairment. No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of viloxazine was observed based on race and sex.

No pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in the geriatric population.

USES: Viloxazine is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan, including psychological, social, and other treatments. It may help to increase the ability to pay attention, concentrate, stay focused, and stop fidgeting. It is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

Generic name: viloxazine HCl
Pronunciation: (vye-LOX-a-zeen)
Drug class: Antidepressants
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Qelbree:

  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Also known as: Add With Hyperactivity.

Dosing

Dosage of viloxazine hydrochloride is expressed in terms of viloxazine.

Drug interactions

Viloxazine is primarily metabolized by cytochrome (CYP) P-450 isoenzyme 2D6 and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A9 and 2B15.

Viloxazine is a reversible inhibitor of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2D6, 3A4/5, and a potential inducer of CYP1A2 and 2B6. Viloxazine does not inhibit CYP2C8, 2C9, or 2C19.

Based on in vitro data, drugs that inhibit CYP1A2, 2B6, 2D6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2E1, and 3A4 are not expected to have a significant impact on the pharmacokinetic profile of viloxazine.

Viloxazine appears to be a weak inhibitor of the multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) 1 transporter; a clinically important interaction is unlikely. Viloxazine is not an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), MATE2-K, organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP) 1B1*1a, and 1B3 transporters. Viloxazine is not a substrate of either OATP1B1*1a or OATP1B3 transporters.

Contraindications

*Concomitant administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), or within 14 days after discontinuing an MAOI, because of an increased risk of hypertensive crisis.

*Concomitant administration of sensitive cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzyme 1A2 substrates or CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic range.

Adverse reactions

Common adverse effects of viloxazine (>=5%) in patients 6 to 17 years of age were somnolence, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and irritability.

Common adverse effects of viloxazine (>=5%) in adults were insomnia, headache, somnolence, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and constipation.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
F90ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorders
F90.0ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type
F90.1ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly hyperactive type
F90.2ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type
F90.8ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, other type
F90.9ICD10CMAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, unspecified type

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data