Your Patients Are Having Trouble Finding Qelbree

If you prescribe Qelbree (Viloxazine ER) for ADHD, you've likely received calls from patients who can't find it at their pharmacy. This isn't an isolated problem — it's a recurring access challenge that affects patient adherence and outcomes.

The good news: Qelbree is being manufactured and distributed normally. The bad news: many retail pharmacies don't stock it, and patients often don't know what to do when they're told it's unavailable. This guide covers practical steps you can take at the practice level to reduce friction and help your patients stay on therapy.

Current Availability Landscape

As of early 2026, Qelbree is not in shortage per the FDA. The medication is being produced by Supernus Pharmaceuticals and distributed through normal wholesale channels. The access problem is at the retail pharmacy level:

• Many pharmacies don't routinely stock brand-name-only medications with lower dispensing volume.
• Chain pharmacy inventory algorithms may not automatically order Qelbree without prior dispensing history at that location.
• The cash cost of $362-$525/month makes pharmacies reluctant to carry unsold inventory.

This means patients often face a 1-3 day wait while the pharmacy orders the medication — if they're told it can be ordered at all. Some patients are simply told "we can't get it" and left without guidance.

Why Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the patient experience helps frame the problem:

1. First-time patients receive a prescription and go to their regular pharmacy, which doesn't stock Qelbree. They're told it's unavailable with no clear next steps.
2. Existing patients on refills may find that their pharmacy's stock is inconsistent — available one month, unavailable the next, due to ordering patterns.
3. Insurance delays compound the problem. After waiting days or weeks for prior authorization, patients finally get approval only to discover the pharmacy doesn't have it.
4. Rural patients have fewer pharmacy options and may need to drive significant distances to find a pharmacy that carries Qelbree.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Set Expectations at the Point of Prescribing

The most impactful thing you can do is warn patients proactively that Qelbree may not be immediately available at their pharmacy. Simple language works:

"Qelbree is a newer medication, and not all pharmacies keep it in stock. If your pharmacy doesn't have it, they should be able to order it within a couple of days. If you have trouble, let us know and we'll help."

This prevents the anxiety and confusion that comes when a patient is caught off guard by an "out of stock" message.

Step 2: Recommend Medfinder

Direct patients to Medfinder — a tool that lets them search for pharmacies near them that currently have Qelbree in stock. This can be included in:

• After-visit summaries
• Printed handouts
• Patient portal messages
• Verbal instructions during the appointment

Having a specific tool to recommend (rather than saying "call around") dramatically reduces the burden on patients and on your staff who would otherwise field follow-up calls.

Step 3: Submit Prior Authorization Proactively

Don't wait for a pharmacy rejection to trigger the PA process. For patients you plan to start on Qelbree:

• Submit the prior authorization at the time of prescribing
• Include documentation of ADHD diagnosis and any prior medication trials
• If the plan requires step therapy, document the clinical rationale for Qelbree specifically

Proactive PA submission can shave days off the time-to-fill and prevent the demoralizing cycle of rejection → appeal → resubmit that causes many patients to give up.

Step 4: Identify Reliable Pharmacies

Over time, your practice can build a short list of pharmacies in your area that reliably stock or can quickly order Qelbree. This might include:

• Independent pharmacies that are willing to set up recurring orders for your patients
• Specialty pharmacies that routinely handle brand-name medications
• Mail-order pharmacies through major insurance plans

Sharing this list with patients at the time of prescribing gives them a head start and avoids the trial-and-error of calling multiple pharmacies.

Step 5: Enroll Patients in Savings Programs

Cost is a major barrier, especially for uninsured or underinsured patients. At the point of prescribing, consider:

• Supernus Qelbree Savings Card: For commercially insured patients, reduces copay to as low as $20/prescription. Not valid for government insurance.
• Supernus Support Program: Patient assistance program for eligible uninsured/underinsured patients. Enrollment forms available at qelbreehcp.com.
• Discount cards: GoodRx and SingleCare can bring the cash price down to approximately $360-$470/month — still expensive but may help bridge gaps.

For a patient-facing guide you can share, see how to save money on Qelbree. For a provider-focused savings guide, see how to help patients save money on Qelbree.

When to Consider Alternatives

If a patient cannot access Qelbree after reasonable efforts, or if cost is prohibitive, consider these non-stimulant alternatives:

• Atomoxetine (generic Strattera): Most similar mechanism (NRI), generic available at $30-$60/month. Well-established efficacy data.
• Guanfacine ER (generic Intuniv): Alpha-2 agonist, FDA-approved for pediatric ADHD (6-17). Generic at $20-$50/month.
• Clonidine ER (generic Kapvay): Alpha-2 agonist, FDA-approved for pediatric ADHD (6-17). Generic at $15-$40/month.
• Bupropion (off-label): NDRI, commonly used off-label for adult ADHD, particularly with comorbid depression. Generic at $10-$30/month.

Detailed comparison available in our post on alternatives to Qelbree.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Here are a few workflow optimizations that can reduce Qelbree access issues:

• Create a Qelbree onboarding template in your EHR that includes pharmacy recommendations, the Medfinder link, and savings program information.
• Train front-desk staff to handle "I can't find my Qelbree" calls with a standard response that includes Medfinder and your pharmacy short list.
• Use e-prescribing notes to alert the pharmacy that the patient may need the medication ordered — this gives them a heads-up before the patient arrives.
• Follow up with new Qelbree patients within 1-2 weeks, not just for clinical response but to confirm they were able to fill the prescription.

Final Thoughts

The Qelbree access problem is solvable at the practice level. By setting expectations, directing patients to the right tools, proactively managing insurance, and building relationships with reliable pharmacies, you can significantly reduce the number of patients who fall off therapy due to access barriers.

Medfinder for Providers is designed to support exactly this workflow. Consider integrating it into your practice's patient communication materials for all brand-name medications that may have availability challenges.

For a broader overview of the Qelbree landscape, see our Qelbree shortage briefing for providers.