Vyvanse vs. Adderall for ADHD Symptom Control Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.D., M.S., FASCP Vyvanse and Adderall are two stimulants that treat ADHD. Castells X, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Bosch R, et al. Adderall … Stimulants (also known as psychostimulants) are the first line of medications due to their effectiveness in treating ADHD … Vyvanse and Adderall are both stimulant medications prescribed to treat ADHD. Many other studies have compared Adderall or Vyvanse to placebo (an inactive pill) or to other medications used for ADHD and confirmed that both Adderall and Vyvanse improve various symptoms of ADHD.7,8,9,10,11 Researchers did not find one type of drug more effective than another and side effects such as decreased appetite, insomnia, and abdominal symptoms were common but similar among different preparations. 2014; 8: 1685–93 doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S68393 PMCID: PMC4199984. Instead of containing one amphetamine salt, Adderall features a mix of four, including dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Some people who take it might have hair loss or rhabdomyolysis, when muscle breaks down and gets weaker. Comparing Vyvanse vs Adderall For Studying. Revised 04/2020 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) [package insert]. Adderall is the brand name for a mix of two stimulants called amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. : CD007813. What Happens When You Suddenly Stop Taking Adderall? 2015;6(2):67-79. doi:10.1177/2042098615569726. Dextroamphetamine is part of the class … Adderall vs. Vyvanse: Side Effects, Dangers & Interactions; Takeaway. Journal of Attention Disorders.2002;6(2):69‐75, Maneeton N, Maneeton B, Suttajit S et al. However, there are distinctions between the two that may make one drug better than the other for certain patients. In general, generics can cost much less than brand names. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 6. Vyvanse vs. Adderall Adderall has been around longer than Vyvanse. Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are central nervous system stimulant medications. Punja S, Shamseer L, Hartling L, et al. The risk of dependence (this means how likely you are to become dependent or addicted to the drug) appears similar for both Adderall and Vyvanse. Still, Vyvanse and Adderall are both … Adderall and Vyvanse are prescription psychostimulant drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Isquith PK, Roth RM, Gioia GA, and PAR Staff. Adderall vs Vyvanse are often compared because they both are stimulants of the nervous system. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Nondrug Treatments for ADHD -- Do They Work? Cleveland Clinic: “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Stimulant Therapy.”, FDA: “Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate).”. Adderall XR® and Vyvanse™. To some extent, Vyvanse may be the safer choice for treating ADD. Each is a medicine prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An update on lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Art. Vyvanse is the brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. Allen SN. They also are both prescribed as medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, it is worthwhile noting that most trials in people with ADHD last less than six months, are poorly reported and fail to include important social outcomes such as parent stress and quality of life. Is Vyvanse a controlled substance / narcotic drug? Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. It took about two hours for Adderall to start working and three hours for Vyvanse, and the effects of each drug lasted for approximately 16 hours. Other possible side effects of both Adderall and Vyvanse include: More rarely, you might have a faster heart rate, heart palpitations, or tremors. It comes in a capsule full of beads that hold these medicines. One disadvantage of Vyvanse is that there is no generic form available, which makes it more costly than Adderall. Any stimulant can cause side effects like: Anyone who has a heart problem shouldn’t take stimulants. They both helped me focus, but I don't take either because I get insomnia and … Art. That can cut down on cost. Comparing both drugs can be hard since both of them are ampethamines. All rights reserved. Lisdexamfetamine is only available as Vyvanse, at a cost of $1,175.24 for 100 capsules of any strength ($11.75 per capsule).15 Don't hold your breath for a generic - one isn't expected until 2023!16, No. Drugs.com. Adderall vs. Vyvanse: What’s the difference? Child Mind Institute: “The Facts About ADHD Medications.”. Both are stimulants called amphetamines.. These two drugs belong to the same family of stimulants and share many side effects. Adderall has more potential to be abused, mainly because it contains free amphetamine salts. : CD009996. If your doctor advised you to take Vyvanse rather than Adderall… One study did look at the effect both drugs had on classroom-based behavior in a group of children with ADHD, and reported that both seemed equally effective at improving attention-span, rule following and interactions with peers and adults. Adderall and Vyvanse are both amphetamines which may be prescribed to treat ADHD. No. But Vyvanse is the new medication developed for ADHD and thus replaces Adderall which is also a medication for the same condition. The FDA approved Adderall in 1996, and Vyvanse has been available since 2007. Adderall and Vyvanse are both amphetamine-based stimulant medications which are used to treat the symptoms of ADHD in both adolescents and adults. Strattera and Intuniv? Clinical Drug Investigation. In recent times Vyvanse and Adderall … Is it okay to take Vyvanse while on birth control? … The four amphetamine salts that Adderall contains are dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Feb 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 3 Feb 2021), ASHP (updated 29 Jan 2021) and others. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. The key difference between these two drugs is that Vyvanse gradually releases dextroamphetamine (the active drug), whereas Adderall instantly realeases both levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Martin PT, Corcoran M, Zhang P, Katic A. Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study of the Effects of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate and Mixed Amphetamine Salts on Cognition Throughout the Day in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Interpretive Report. Last updated on Jan 27, 2021. They are Schedule II controlled substances and should only ever be taken with a doctor’s prescription. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(07)00363-0/abstract. Check with your insurance plan to see what’s covered. Compare Vyvanse vs Adderall … Concerta and Vyvanse are two drugs that are effective in treating ADHD in children and adults. But we've made a handy chart to make converting between Adderall and Vyvanse dosages a little easier. Ritalin vs. Adderall: What's the Difference? Drugs.com, Vyvanse Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs. What's the difference between Adderall and Concerta? Some say it's the hardest part of life with ADHD. Lisdexamfetamine gets converted into dexamphetamine once it is in the body. Adderall… Yeah basically Vyvanse (or lisdexamphetamine) is a 100% pure dextro-isomer of amphetamine (as opposed to Adderall which is 75% Dextroamphetamine and 25% Levoamphetamine), … January 2014. Exploratory meta-analysis on lisdexamfetamine versus placebo in adult ADHD. Vyvanse is only available as a name-brand prescription drug right now. While it’s possible to abuse or start to depend on any stimulant, that may be less likely with Adderall XR and Vyvanse because they’re designed to release their active chemicals slowly. Adderall vs Vyvanse, Duration, Dosage, Benefits, Side Effects Posted June 1, 2020 by Michael Chamberlain - See Editorial Guidelines. How to Read This Chart. Although Adderall is available in both an immediate-release and extended-release form, an expert review failed to find any differences in effectiveness between immediate and extended-release dosage forms.10, Interestingly, Vyvanse actually "behaves" like an extended-release form once it is inside the body - because the contact with red blood cells and the cleaving off of dextroamphetamine takes time. One advantage of Vyvanse is that it may be less likely to be abused; however, there are no head-to-head trials that compare the abuse potential of Vyvanse to Adderall. Adderall comes as both an extended-release capsule (Adderall XR) and an immediate-release capsule (Adderall IR). Simon K, Worthy SL, Barnes MC, Tarbell B. Abuse-deterrent formulations: transitioning the pharmaceutical market to improve public health and safety. 2014;34(2):147-57. doi:10.1007/s40261-013- 0156-z. It requires just one dosage per day and has been shown to be less of a risk for addiction than Adderall. Concerta and Adderall are medicines children and adults can take to manage their ADHD symptoms.They're both stimulants -- the most common type of drug used to treat the disorder. No. Mental Health Clinician 2014;4(1):8-10. Adderall works similarly to Vyvanse, but with a key difference. Adderall is a combination of two stimulant drugs, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine; in contrast, Vyvanse is not an amphetamine-based stimulant, but a chemical, lisdexamfetamine … The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. It turns out that comparing Vyvnase vs Adderall dosages is not straightforward, for a number of reasons. Vyvanse and Adderall aren’t exactly the same, though. How long does Vyvanse stay in your system? That’s especially true for Vyvanse because your body has to process the lysine before it gets to the stimulant part of the drug. Ritalin vs Vyvanse - What's the difference between them? DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009996.pub2. Both drugs are derivatives of … Vyvanse may affect your sleep because it sticks around a little longer in your body. How soon for Vyvanse to start working and how long does it last? It also has the stimulant amphetamine, but adds a compound called lysine. Expert Opin Pharmacother. Adderall (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate) [package insert]. They work by raising levels of chemicals … Both are stimulants called amphetamines. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 2. It's easier to call these mixed amphetamine salts, or MAS for short.1, Vyvanse is the brand name for lisdexamfetamine. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub2. Vyvanse and Adderall both treat ADHD symptoms. Because Adderall is available in a generic form, it can be purchased for less than Vyvanse. 5,6. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Vyvanse is basically Adderall that absorbs more slowly so it lasts a lot longer and you get a larger dose, so If Adderall works for you, it may be worth trying. Faraone S V, Biederman J. Efficacy of Adderall for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta‐analysis. If the first one your doctor prescribes doesn't work, you can try a different one. Patients often compare medication brands and types … By blocking their re-uptake, levels of these neurotransmitters between nerves are increased, which helps relieve symptoms of inattention and agitation in children and adults with ADHD.1, Unfortunately, researchers have not really looked into how effective Adderall is compared to Vyvanse, and vice-versa. Both are intended to be taken orally, or swallowed. New" psychotropics: New chemical entities and new dosage forms. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. This is because half the beads are fast-acting, and the others are slow-acting. Studies have shown that Vyvanse is just as effective as Adderall, and side effects are similar. So below is a list … They are both approved to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Both were well tolerated and no significant differences were noted in their side effects.3,4, Similar results were reported in a trial of 18 adults with ADHD. As you can see by the chart above, these are pretty similar drugs. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. And if you have psychosis, bipolar disorder, aggression, or seizures, these medications can make your symptoms worse. With Adderall, men may have changes in their sex drives, impotence, frequent erections, or erections that last longer than normal. Adderall XR costs approximately $760 per 100 capsules ($7.60 per capsule)13, and the generic version is available for $465-$533 for 100 capsules (from $4.65 per capsule)14. It also has less of a history of being abused as a recreational drug than Adderall, which has played a role in the latter drug receiving a … Adderall XR Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs Drugs.com, Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs. Adderall XR 5mg costs approximately $753 per 100 capsules ($7.53 per capsule)13, and the generic version is available for $58.14 – $175.95 for 100 capsules (from 58 cents per capsule)14. The only substantial difference is that Vyvanse is a prodrug metabolized into … Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine; in Vyvanse, … They work by raising levels of chemicals in your brain called dopamine and norepinephrine that help you focus, control your impulses, and pay attention at school or work. It might take some time to find the right medicine and dose. They do different things in your body and can cause different side effects.Â. Adderall is the most common medication prescribed for ADHD, but with the recent introduction of Vyvanse, switching from Adderall to Vyvanse may be recommended by your doctor. Wigal SB, Raja P, Shukla A. The longer-acting form, called Adderall XR, can last 8 to 12 hours. Both Vyvanse and Adderall are developed by Shire PLC. Which activities can help relieve symptoms? Improvements in Symptoms of Attention- Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder in School-aged Children With Lisdexamfetamine (NRP104) and Mixed Amphetamine Salts, Extended-Release Versus Placebo. Vyvanse and Adderall are used by many people to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Lisdexamfetamine is only available as Vyvanse, at a cost of $884 for 100 capsules ($8.84 per capsule).15 Don't hold your breath for a generic - one isn't expected until 2023!16 Lisdexamfetamine (the ingredient of Vyvanse) requires contact with red blood cells in the body to be activated into dextroamphetamine, which suggests it has inbuilt abuse-deterrent properties4. Because both drugs contain amphetamines, they work in a similar way. Because Adderall is available in a generic form, it can be purchased for less than Vyvanse. Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function -Adult Version™ BRIEF-A™. Vyvanse is only marketed in an extended-release form. Vyvanse … Vyvanse is approved to … U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Vyvanse and Adderall are in the same class of drugs. They also can cause blurred vision. Based on all the information available, both Vyvanse and Adderall are viable forms of treatment for ADD. Vyvanse vs Adderall. Adderall (dextroamphetamine / amphetamine) is a first-choice treatment for ADHD that's available as a generic, but it's a stimulant that can cause difficulty sleeping and other side effects. The main difference between Adderall and Vyvanse is that Adderall is a mixture of four different kinds of amphetamine salts while Vyvanse only contains one type of amphetamine salt, called lisdexamfetamine. Available for Android and iOS devices. See also: Drugs.com Compare Tool - Adderall vs Vyvanse, Adderall is a brand name for a combination drug that contains four different types of amphetamines (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate). You'll work with your doctor to find an ADHD treatment that’s best for you. While they share many similarities, … Vyvanse or Adderall: Which ADHD Treatment Is Right for You? Adderall is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy. The active ingredients in Adderall are a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts. Allen, SN. Unfortunately, no head-to-head trials comparing the abuse potential of Vyvanse to Adderall have been done.4,12, Lisdexamfetamine is still classified as a controlled substance with a high potential for abuse, and those people prescribed Vyvanse and Adderall should take care to store their medicines safely to avoid non-authorized use, as misuse of amphetamine-type medicines can cause sudden death, stroke, heart attack, convulsions and psychotic reactions.1,2,12. *adjusted for relative potency of d-amphetamine : l-amphetamine. These can vary widely, based on the form and dosage. And pharmacies can have different prices for the drugs, too. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -, Drugs.com Compare Tool - Adderall vs Vyvanse, http://mhc.cpnp.org/doi/full/10.9740/mhc.n186948, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4199984/, http://www4.parinc.com/WebUploads/samplerpts/BRIEFA_InformantInterp.pdf, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14656566.2013.754013?journalCode=ieop20, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub2/full, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009996.pub2/full, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406920/, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/adderall-xr, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/vyvanse, https://www.drugs.com/availability/generic-vyvanse.html. All of these ADHD medications can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and … Your body has to absorb the lysine to get to the stimulant, so your dose may last up to 14 hours.Â. While Adderall is sometimes the more effective of the two, Vyvanse is considered less addictive. It comes in both capsules and chewable tablets. Drug Des Devel Ther. Managing Attention: How an ADHD Coach Can Help. A dose of the original form lasts about 4 hours in your body. Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Revised 10/2019 Shire LLC, Biederman J, Boellner S, Childress A, et al. Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults. 4. 2013 Jan;14(1):137-45. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2013.754013. About 80% of people notice that their symptoms are better when they take stimulants. Adderall vs Vyvanse - What's the difference between them? Ritalin and Vyvanse? Both Adderall and Vyvanse are a central nervous system stimulants. Mental Health Clinician. Once lisdexamfetamine is inside the body it gets converted into dextroamphetamine (its active form) as soon as it touches red blood cells.2, Because Adderall and Vyvanse both contain amphetamines they work in a similar way, and that is by blocking the re-uptake of two neurotransmitters (chemical substances that help nerves talk to each other) in the body. Adderall, which is older, is available as the generic drug amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. Vyvanse and Adderall are used by many people to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These neurotransmitters are called norepinephrine and dopamine.