Busy Philipps Empowers Women with ADHD to Go from Feeling Misrepresented to Being ‘Ms. Represented’ in First-of-its-Kind Campaign with Supernus Pharmaceuticals
Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) has launched 'Ms. Represented,' a groundbreaking campaign featuring actress Busy Philipps to raise awareness about ADHD in women. The campaign highlights how females often present different ADHD symptoms than males, focusing on inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity. Due to this difference, boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, leaving many women undiagnosed or untreated.
The campaign promotes Qelbree®, Supernus's once-daily non-stimulant ADHD treatment for patients 6 years and older. As the first non-stimulant approved for adults with ADHD in 20 years, Qelbree has no evidence of abuse potential and offers convenient prescription refills. The initiative, launched during Mental Health Awareness Month on Bustle, aims to empower women to recognize their ADHD symptoms and seek proper medical attention.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) ha lanciato 'Ms. Represented', una campagna innovativa con l'attrice Busy Philipps per sensibilizzare sull'ADHD nelle donne. La campagna evidenzia come le donne manifestino spesso sintomi di ADHD diversi rispetto agli uomini, concentrandosi su sintomi di disattenzione piuttosto che sull'iperattività. A causa di questa differenza, i ragazzi hanno il doppio delle probabilità di essere diagnosticati con ADHD rispetto alle ragazze, lasciando molte donne non diagnosticate o non trattate.
La campagna promuove Qelbree®, il trattamento non stimolante per l'ADHD di Supernus, da assumere una volta al giorno, destinato a pazienti dai 6 anni in su. Essendo il primo non stimolante approvato per adulti con ADHD in 20 anni, Qelbree non presenta evidenze di potenziale abuso e offre comodità nelle prescrizioni. L'iniziativa, lanciata durante il Mese della Consapevolezza sulla Salute Mentale su Bustle, mira a dare potere alle donne affinché riconoscano i loro sintomi di ADHD e cerchino un'adeguata assistenza medica.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) ha lanzado 'Ms. Represented', una campaña innovadora con la actriz Busy Philipps para aumentar la conciencia sobre el TDAH en mujeres. La campaña destaca cómo las mujeres suelen presentar síntomas de TDAH diferentes a los hombres, enfocándose en síntomas de falta de atención en lugar de hiperactividad. Debido a esta diferencia, los niños tienen el doble de probabilidades de ser diagnosticados con TDAH que las niñas, dejando a muchas mujeres sin diagnóstico o tratamiento.
La campaña promociona Qelbree®, el tratamiento no estimulante para el TDAH de Supernus, de una sola dosis diaria, para pacientes de 6 años en adelante. Como el primer no estimulante aprobado para adultos con TDAH en 20 años, Qelbree no muestra evidencia de potencial abuso y ofrece convenientes renovaciones de prescripción. La iniciativa, lanzada durante el Mes de Concientización sobre la Salud Mental en Bustle, busca empoderar a las mujeres para que reconozcan sus síntomas de TDAH y busquen la atención médica adecuada.
슈퍼너스 파마슈티컬즈(SUPN)가 배우 Busy Philipps와 함께 여성의 ADHD 인식을 높이기 위한 혁신적인 캠페인 'Ms. Represented'를 시작했습니다. 이 캠페인은 여성들이 남성과 다른 ADHD 증상을 보이는 경우가 많다는 점에 주목하며, 과다활동성보다는 부주의 증상에 초점을 맞추고 있습니다. 이러한 차이로 인해 남자아이들이 여자아이들보다 ADHD 진단을 받을 확률이 두 배 더 높다는 사실이 많은 여성들이 진단받지 못하거나 치료받지 못하는 원인이 되고 있습니다.
이 캠페인은 6세 이상 환자를 위한 슈퍼너스의 하루 1회 비자극성 ADHD 치료제 Qelbree®를 홍보합니다. 20년 만에 성인 ADHD 치료제로 승인된 첫 비자극제인 Qelbree는 남용 가능성이 없으며 편리한 처방 갱신이 가능합니다. Bustle에서 정신 건강 인식의 달에 시작된 이 캠페인은 여성들이 자신의 ADHD 증상을 인식하고 적절한 의료 도움을 받도록 권장하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) a lancé « Ms. Represented », une campagne innovante mettant en vedette l'actrice Busy Philipps pour sensibiliser au TDAH chez les femmes. La campagne souligne que les femmes présentent souvent des symptômes de TDAH différents de ceux des hommes, en se concentrant sur les symptômes d'inattention plutôt que sur l'hyperactivité. En raison de cette différence, les garçons sont deux fois plus susceptibles d'être diagnostiqués avec un TDAH que les filles, laissant de nombreuses femmes non diagnostiquées ou non traitées.
La campagne fait la promotion de Qelbree®, le traitement non stimulant contre le TDAH de Supernus, à prendre une fois par jour, destiné aux patients de 6 ans et plus. Premier médicament non stimulant approuvé pour les adultes atteints de TDAH depuis 20 ans, Qelbree ne présente aucun risque d'abus et offre des renouvellements d'ordonnance pratiques. Lancée pendant le Mois de la sensibilisation à la santé mentale sur Bustle, cette initiative vise à encourager les femmes à reconnaître leurs symptômes de TDAH et à consulter un professionnel de santé approprié.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN) hat die bahnbrechende Kampagne 'Ms. Represented' mit der Schauspielerin Busy Philipps gestartet, um das Bewusstsein für ADHS bei Frauen zu erhöhen. Die Kampagne hebt hervor, dass Frauen oft andere ADHS-Symptome zeigen als Männer, wobei der Fokus auf unaufmerksamen Symptomen statt auf Hyperaktivität liegt. Aufgrund dieses Unterschieds werden Jungen doppelt so häufig mit ADHS diagnostiziert wie Mädchen, wodurch viele Frauen unerkannt oder unbehandelt bleiben.
Die Kampagne bewirbt Qelbree®, die einmal täglich einzunehmende nicht-stimulierende ADHS-Behandlung von Supernus für Patienten ab 6 Jahren. Als erstes nicht-stimulierendes Medikament, das seit 20 Jahren für Erwachsene mit ADHS zugelassen wurde, weist Qelbree kein Missbrauchspotenzial auf und bietet bequeme Rezeptverlängerungen. Die Initiative, die während des Mental Health Awareness Month auf Bustle gestartet wurde, soll Frauen befähigen, ihre ADHS-Symptome zu erkennen und angemessene medizinische Hilfe zu suchen.
- First non-stimulant ADHD treatment approved for adults in 20 years
- No evidence of abuse or misuse potential with Qelbree
- Convenient prescription refills without requiring new prescriptions monthly
- Partnership with high-profile celebrity Busy Philipps increases brand visibility
- Significant safety warnings including risk of increased suicidal thoughts
- Multiple side effects reported in both adults and children
- Can increase blood pressure and heart rate requiring monitoring
- Potential for manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder
- Females with ADHD frequently present with inattentive symptoms, which can be more difficult to recognize than the hyperactive and impulsive symptoms more often seen in males
- Boys are two times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, leaving many girls and women undiagnosed and untreated
- Busy is flipping the script for women with ADHD by sharing her own diagnosis and treatment journey with Qelbree® (viloxazine extended-release capsules)
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Actress, author, podcaster, and mom, Busy Philipps, is stepping into an important new role as 'Ms. Represented' in partnership with Supernus Pharmaceuticals for a new campaign aimed at empowering women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to understand their symptoms. The campaign, which launched during Mental Health Awareness Month (May) on Bustle – a leading online destination for women’s news – draws on Busy’s personal journey navigating her ADHD diagnosis and managing her symptoms with the help of Qelbree (viloxazine extended-release capsules), a non-stimulant ADHD treatment for people 6 years and older. Supernus and Busy hope to shed light on the often-misrepresented experiences of women with ADHD and empower them to talk to their healthcare providers.
ADHD is frequently characterized by hyperactive symptoms, including fidgeting and feeling restless, which are more commonly observed in males. However, females with ADHD can often present with inattentive symptoms that can be more easily overlooked. These symptoms, such as difficulty focusing, being overwhelmed, or struggling with organization, may be misattributed to personality characteristics or perceived shortcomings, rather than being identified as indicators of ADHD.1,2
"People often associate ADHD with symptoms like being unable to sit still or fidgeting, but symptoms can look different across males and females – many women, like me, may experience ADHD in ways that are not just about being hyperactive,” says Busy. "I think a lot of women feel a sense of misrepresentation within the broader ADHD conversation, and I want to empower them to recognize their symptoms and seek diagnosis and treatment. For me, it wasn't until I understood that these symptoms were connected to ADHD that I could seek help and find ways to manage them. Qelbree has helped to make my ADHD symptoms manageable."
This difference in symptom presentation has contributed to a notable disparity in ADHD diagnosis between males and females. Studies indicate boys are twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD, leading many women to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until adulthood, resulting in prolonged challenges associated with unmanaged and untreated symptoms for those females. With increased symptoms awareness, more females are seeking diagnosis and treatment.2-4
“At Supernus, addressing the individualized needs and symptoms experienced by people with ADHD remains our priority, and that includes acknowledging the nuanced and often overlooked ways ADHD can present in females," says Jack Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supernus Pharmaceuticals. "The 'Ms. Represented' campaign, with Busy's honest voice and relatable story, is a new and exciting chapter in our ongoing partnership. Busy's openness about her own experience makes her an ideal partner to help us encourage meaningful conversations about ADHD in women."
Qelbree is a novel, once-a-day, non-stimulant approach for patients 6 years and older with ADHD, and the first non-stimulant approved for adults with ADHD in 20 years. As a non-stimulant, Qelbree has no evidence of abuse or misuse and can be conveniently refilled without needing a new prescription each month.
For more information about Qelbree, visit Qelbree.com. Patients should speak to a doctor about all the medications they take, and to see if Qelbree could be right for them.
For more information about ‘Ms. Represented’, visit https://www.qelbree.com/msrepresented.
INDICATION
Qelbree® (viloxazine extended-release capsules) is a prescription medicine used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Qelbree may increase suicidal thoughts and actions, in children and adults with ADHD, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Tell your doctor if you or your child have (or if there is a family history of) suicidal thoughts or actions before starting Qelbree. Monitor your or your child’s moods, behaviors, thoughts, and feelings during treatment with Qelbree. Report any new or sudden changes in these symptoms right away.
You or your child should not take Qelbree if you or your child:
Take a medicine for depression called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have stopped taking an MAOI in the past 14 days. Also, you or your child should avoid alosetron, duloxetine, ramelteon, tasimelteon, tizanidine, and theophylline.
Qelbree can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Your or your child’s doctor will monitor these vital signs.
Qelbree may cause manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. Tell your doctor if you or your child show any signs of mania.
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Qelbree will affect you or your child. Qelbree may cause you or your child to feel sleepy or tired.
The most common side effects of Qelbree in patients 6 to 17 years are sleepiness, not feeling hungry, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and irritability, and in adults, insomnia, headache, sleepiness, tiredness, nausea, decreased appetite, dry mouth, and constipation. These are not all the possible side effects of Qelbree.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, for Qelbree here.
Qelbree (viloxazine extended-release capsules) is available in 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg capsules.
References
1Quinn, P.O. and Madhoo, M. (2014). A Review of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Women and Girls: Uncovering This Hidden Diagnosis. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord.
2Young, S., et al. (2020). Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC Psychiatry.
3Reuben, C and Elgaddal, N. (2024) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children ages 5–17 years: United States, 2020–2022. NCHS Data Brief.
4Russell, J., et al. (2023). Number of ADHD Patients Rising, Especially Among Women. Epic Research.
About Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Supernus Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
Our diverse neuroscience portfolio includes approved treatments for ADHD, dyskinesia in PD patients receiving levodopa-based therapy, hypomobility in Parkinson’s disease (PD), epilepsy, migraine, cervical dystonia, and chronic sialorrhea. We are developing a broad range of novel CNS product candidates including new potential treatments for epilepsy, depression, and other CNS disorders.
For more information, please visit www.supernus.com.
CONTACTS:
Jack A. Khattar, President and CEO
Timothy C. Dec, Senior Vice President and CFO
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(301) 838-2591
Or
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Peter Vozzo
ICR Healthcare
(443) 213-0505
Peter.Vozzo@icrhealthcare.com
Or
MEDIA CONTACT:
Katherine Dunleavy
Burson
(212) 601-3019
Katherine.Dunleavy@bursonglobal.com
FAQ
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