Non-Stimulant ADHD Meds: How They Work and 6 Most Common Options
Key Takeaways
- Non-stimulant ADHD meds like Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine) can be prescribed on their own or paired with traditional stimulants to help balance your symptoms throughout the day.
- Different medications can help with different ADHD symptoms. Some are better at improving focus and organization, while others calm physical hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- Non-stimulant ADHD meds can take longer to work than stimulant ADHD drugs. They may be prescribed if stimulant medications aren’t working well or at all.
For most people, treating ADHD means a prescription for standard stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse. While these work well for many, they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution.
Non-stimulant medications offer an entirely different way to balance brain chemistry, providing a smoother, non-habit-forming alternative.
What are non-stimulant medications for ADHD and how do they work?
While non-stimulants aren’t typically the first option doctors try, they may be a much better fit for some individuals. These medications work differently on your brain chemistry than traditional stimulant drugs, and they can take longer to improve ADHD symptoms.
Keep reading to learn more about the different types of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, how they work, and when they may be prescribed.
6 common non-stimulant ADHD medications
If a non-stimulant path is right for you, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe one of six options:
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
FDA-approved for treating ADHD in children, teens, and adults, atomoxetine is part of a group of drugs called “selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors” (NRIs). It can help you focus and organize tasks by increasing how much norepinephrine—a chemical that controls attention and alertness—your brain has available.
Atomoxetine may start helping you within a few weeks, yet its benefits build up slowly over several months. That’s why it can take a while until you notice an improvement in your symptoms.
It is an oral capsule typically taken once or twice a day with food to prevent stomach upset.
Common side effects of atomoxetine include:
- Decreased appetite
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia or sleepiness
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset
Atomoxetine carries an FDA Boxed Warning because it may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and teens. Make sure your child is monitored by a caregiver and their healthcare provider.
Guanfacine ER (Intuniv)
FDA-approved for treating ADHD in people aged 6 years or older, guanfacine ER can be prescribed by itself or alongside stimulant ADHD medications. It is part of a drug family called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists.
It balances the natural chemicals in your brain that regulate impulse control. Instead of giving you the sudden burst of focus you might get from a traditional stimulant, it can help reduce physical hyperactivity, emotional outbursts, and impulsive behavior—which ultimately supports attention and working memory.
Guanfacine ER is a once-daily tablet taken in the morning or evening. Because of how the body processes it, it should never be taken with a high-fat meal, as this can cause the medication to release too quickly and drop your blood pressure.
Common side effects of guanfacine ER include:
- Low blood pressure, dizziness when standing, or a slow resting heart rate (bradycardia)
- Headache
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Dry mouth, decreased appetite
Clonidine ER (Kapvay)
Clonidine ER is FDA-approved for treating ADHD in children and teens aged 6–17. It’s part of the same alpha-2 agonist family as guanfacine and works the same way.
However, clonidine ER can be a bit more sedating than guanfacine ER. Your healthcare provider may consider it if you are treating intense hyperactivity or have difficulty winding down before bed.
Clonidine ER is usually taken twice daily—once in the morning and once at bedtime. If the doses are uneven, the higher dose is usually taken at bedtime to help with sleep.
Common side effects of clonidine ER include:
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Irritability
- Nightmares or insomnia
- Decreased appetite
Viloxazine ER (Qelbree)
Approved for children, teens, and adults, viloxazine ER is one of the newer non-stimulant choices available. While it is an NRI like atomoxetine, it also manages your brain’s serotonin levels. This means it may be more helpful in treating emotional and behavioral symptoms of ADHD, like irritability or impulsivity.
Generic viloxazine ER is not currently available—it is prescribed as Qelbree, an oral capsule taken once daily. If swallowing a capsule doesn’t work for you or your child, you can open it and mix the contents with a spoonful of applesauce.
Common side effects of viloxazine ER include:
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Insomnia
Viloxazine ER carries the same FDA Boxed Warning as atomoxetine for possible suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
2 Off-label non-stimulant medications
Healthcare providers treating ADHD will sometimes prescribe non-stimulant medications that aren’t FDA-approved for this purpose. These include:
- Bupropion: available as generic immediate-release (IR) oral tablets or extended-release brand name tablets (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin)
- Venlafaxine: available as generic IR oral tablets or brand-name extended-release tablets (Effexor XR)
Both bupropion and venlafaxine are FDA-approved as antidepressant medications. Bupropion increases the amount of certain neurotransmitters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in your brain. Venlafaxine also blocks reuptake of neurotransmitters, but it targets a different combination (serotonin and norepinephrine).
Your provider may consider prescribing bupropion or venlafaxine if:
- You have ADHD and depression
- You have ADHD and anxiety
- Traditional stimulants aren’t appropriate for you due to their side effects and/or your medical history
Choosing non-stimulant ADHD medications for adults
For adults, non-stimulant ADHD medications are typically considered if you’re concerned about how traditional stimulants might affect your health and daily life.
For example, your provider may prescribe a non-stimulant ADHD drug if:
- You’re worried about the long-term health impacts of stimulants, including their addiction risk
- You have a history of or are currently dealing with substance use, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders
- Stimulant drugs aren’t completely helping you focus
Whether you’re prescribed stimulant or non-stimulant ADHD medications, your provider will typically recommend them as part of a combined treatment plan. For adults, this plan includes therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral strategies like mindfulness practices.
Studies show that ADHD symptoms improved more when adults received group therapy and CBT programs alongside their ADHD medication.
Choosing non-stimulant ADHD medications for kids
For children, healthcare providers typically consider non-stimulant ADHD drugs like atomoxetine, guanfacine, or clonidine if stimulants aren’t working as expected.
They may be appropriate if your child is 6 years old or older and:
- Stimulant ADHD drugs are causing troublesome or unsafe side effects, like lower appetite, behavioral issues, or sleep difficulties
- They are managing other conditions like tics, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or heart health issues
- Caregivers are uncomfortable with the risks or lifestyle restrictions associated with first-line stimulants
Just like adults, children see the best outcomes from a combined approach, which may include behavioral parent training or structured school support (like a 504 plan, which provides formal classroom adjustments like extra testing time or frequent movement breaks).
Non-stimulant ADHD meds FAQs
What is the best non-stimulant medication for ADHD?
The best non-stimulant ADHD medication for you will depend on your response to the medication—there is no one ideal non-stimulant drug for everyone. Always work with your provider to figure out which profile best matches your specific symptoms.
What is the “honeymoon” phase of ADHD medication?
The term “honeymoon phase” describes the first few weeks of taking a new ADHD medication, usually a stimulant like Adderall or Vyvanse. Because your body is still getting used to the new drugs, you may feel intensely focused, happy, and motivated. Chores or difficult tasks might suddenly feel much easier, and your “brain fog” may clear completely.
These feelings can wear off after several weeks as your brain adjusts to the new, higher levels of neurotransmitters. Often, the medication is still working. However, you may need to rely more on behavioral strategies to achieve your treatment goals.
Note that this phenomenon rarely applies to non-stimulant ADHD medications. Because non-stimulants work gradually over several weeks to build up a steady baseline in your system, they don't produce a sudden surge of focus or energy. Instead of a dramatic "honeymoon" period, you can expect a slow, steady improvement in your symptoms over time.
Are non-stimulant ADHD medications controlled substances?
No. Unlike traditional stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse, non-stimulant ADHD medications do not carry a risk of physical dependency or addiction and are not classified as controlled substances. That's why your healthcare provider can provide long-term prescriptions with refills for several months at a time.
Get non-stimulant ADHD treatment online through Sesame
Through Sesame, you can talk to a provider about non-stimulant ADHD treatment without the stress of long queues or insurance paperwork. Sesame is a direct-to-market telehealth platform that connects you with licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and other specialists with 24/7 appointments available.
Book a virtual visit to discuss your or your child’s ADHD symptoms and get a prescription for non-stimulant ADHD medications, if appropriate.
On Sesame, you can browse provider reviews and transparent, upfront prices for your virtual visit before you book. If you’re prescribed medication, your provider can send your prescription the same day to a pharmacy of your choice. Note that providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.
