Author: James Anderson

Vyvanse vs Adderall for ADHD: What’s the Difference?

Drug metabolization is the process wherein drugs are transformed by the body so that they can be eliminated more easily. Vyvanse and Adderall differ in their active ingredients, but more importantly is how those ingredients are absorbed and metabolized by the body. Stimulants are considered controlled substances, which means they have the potential to be misused and to lead to substance use disorders, including addiction. Some states limit the supply you can buy at one time for that reason. The cost of any drug can vary widely based on the form and dosage. With Adderall, some men may have changes in erections, including trouble getting or maintaining them, more frequent erections, or erections that last longer than normal.

Vyvanse and Adderall FAQs

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It comes in capsules, with milligrams of medicine, and chewable tablets, with milligrams of medicine. It also has the stimulant amphetamine but adds a compound called lysine. Your body has to absorb the lysine to get to the stimulant, so your dose may last up to 14 hours. As with other stimulants, people need to avoid using certain types of antidepressants — namely monoamine oxidase inhibitors — with Vyvanse, Adderall, or Adderall XR. Mixing these medications can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.

In rare cases, both of these drugs can increase the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Before starting Vyvanse or Adderall, get a heart checkup and tell your doctor about any history of high blood pressure or heart problems. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) and mixed salts amphetamine (Adderall) are two stimulants commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. Both drugs can be effective, but the differences in some of their features may make one of them a better choice for you. A boxed warning is the FDA’s highest level of warning to consumers about the potential dangers of a drug. More serious but rarer side effects include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, hallucinations, and paranoia.

  1. Finding the optimal medication often involves some back and forth with your physician as each person responds differently.
  2. So choosing the right medicine at the right dose can be a matter of trial and error.
  3. More rarely, you might have a faster heart rate, heart palpitations, or tremors.
  4. In people with ADHD, increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine can help improve alertness, increase focus, and sustain thought, effort, and motivation.
  5. Required fields are the current medication, current dose of that medication, and the new medication.

How to Take Each Medication

Vyvanse and Adderall are drugs used by many children and adults to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) are stimulant medications prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While they share some similarities, there are several differences between the two medications. Both Vyvanse and Adderall are effective treatments for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Adderall XR

Because Vyvanse and Adderall are similar medications in many ways, the choice really comes down to what works best for you. Both are effective for managing symptoms of ADHD, but it may take some trial and error to find the medication and dose that works best. Generic drugs are required to have the same effectiveness as brand-name medications. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.

Compare Drugs

These medications increase levels of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) to improve concentration and focus and to help reduce hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Vyvanse and Adderall are prescription stimulant medications used to treat ADHD in adults and children. Although Vyvanse and Adderall have similar side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications, they have specific indications for use, different dosages, and different levels of efficacy. Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It was tested and found effective in people with all types of ADHD, including those with hyperactivity and impulsiveness alone, inattention alone, or combined symptoms.

Talk with your doctor about other interactions with Adderall specifically, including those that can commonly occur. The wholesale price of Adderall is approximately $113, and its generic brand is approximately $45, per bottle. These prices can change depending on the manufacturer that your pharmacy uses.

Physicians usually prescribe a lower dose when you first start taking a medication and gradually increase it until they find the right therapeutic dose for you and your symptoms. While Vyvanse and Adderall share a number of similarities, there are some important differences between the two medications. These differences can play a role in determining which medication is right for you. Since both medications are amphetamines that can be addicting, you should also not use them if you have a history of substance abuse. Sometimes, a short-acting stimulant is necessary to extend the effect of Adderall XR.

Metabolism and Absorption in the Body

The immediate-release form of Adderall is the only medication for ADHD that is suitable for preschool-aged children between 3 and 5 years old. Both Vyvanse and Adderall are suitable for people who cannot swallow pills. Adderall XR only lasts about 10 hours, and some people may require additional short-acting amphetamines. Since the body converts Vyvanse into dextroamphetamine, both Vyvanse and Adderall have the same drug interactions. Sometimes, people who take Adderall XR need a short-acting amphetamine at the end of the effect to extend the control of their symptoms.

Non-stimulant drugs and non-drug therapies can also be part of ADHD treatment. Because both drugs contain amphetamines, they work in a similar way. Studies have shown that Vyvanse is just as effective as Adderall, and side effects are similar.