Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Similarities and Differences

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey FactsEffectivenessSide EffectsDifferencesWhich Drug Is Best?

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Table of Contents

Key Facts

Effectiveness

Side Effects

Differences

Which Drug Is Best?

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Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) arestimulant medicationsprescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).While they share some similarities, there are several differences between the two medications.

For example, the effects of Vyvanse generally last longer than those of Adderall since Vyvanse has a slower absorption rate. Adderall also has a higher potential to be misused than Vyvanse. Keep reading to learn more about their similarities and differences, as well as how to decide which is right for you.

Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Key Facts

Since Vyvanse and Adderall are both stimulant medications from the same drug family—they’re both amphetamines—they may be confused as being the same medication. Here are some basic facts about the two drugs to shed light on their similarities and differences.

Adderall

Adderall is a brand name for a drug that contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is available in two formulas: Adderall IR (immediate-release) andAdderall XR (extended-release) capsules.

Vyvanse

In addition to treating ADHD, Vyvanse is also approved to treatbinge eating disorderin adults. For both conditions, patients take this medication once per day, often in the morning.

Effectiveness of Vyvanse vs. Adderall

Stimulant medications are widely accepted as being effective ADHD treatments.But if you’re looking at Vyvanse and Adderall specifically, there is little comparative research to suggest that one is better than the other.

The two medications do differ in terms of how long they last. This can be a deciding factor for many people as it may impact how effective the medication is forcontrolling ADHD symptoms.

Some people taking Adderall XR may find that they need to take other medications to help control their symptoms.

Side Effects of Vyvanse vs. Adderall

As Vyvanse and Adderall are both amphetamine-type stimulant medications, the side effects of each drug are similar and include:

More serious but rarer side effects include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, hallucinations, and paranoia. If you experience these or any other side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

There are some additional side effects that need to be considered. Men might experienceerectile dysfunction (ED)when taking an amphetamine.Although you might feel embarrassed to talk about this with a healthcare provider, they will be able to work with you to help resolve this issue.

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Precautions

People with certain conditions should not take Vyvanse or Adderall. For example, you should not take either of these medications if you have:

Additionally, Adderall and Vyvanse could both be unsafe during pregnancy, and they are not recommended while breastfeeding.If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your prescribing physician.

Since both medications are amphetamines that can be addicting, you should also not use them if you have ahistory of substance abuse.

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Drug Interactions

There is also a risk of drug interactions that can occur if you combine Adderall or Vyvanse with another substance. Medications that you should avoid while taking theseADHD medicationsinclude:

Other things that can interact with and affect the actions of Vyvanse and Adderall include alcohol, caffeine, and foods or beverages containing ascorbic acid.

Remember to inform your prescribing physician about any other prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, andnatural supplementsyou might be taking.

Differences in Vyvanse vs. Adderall

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.

VyvanseSlower absorption rate; starts working in 1 to 2 hoursEffects last 14 hoursLower risk of abuse since cannot be inhaled or injectedAdderallFaster absorption rate; starts working in 30 minutesEffects last 4 hours for Adderall IR, 10 to 12 hours for Adderall XRMore potential for abuseImmediate (IR) and extended (XR) versions for flexibility

VyvanseSlower absorption rate; starts working in 1 to 2 hoursEffects last 14 hoursLower risk of abuse since cannot be inhaled or injected

Slower absorption rate; starts working in 1 to 2 hours

Effects last 14 hours

Lower risk of abuse since cannot be inhaled or injected

AdderallFaster absorption rate; starts working in 30 minutesEffects last 4 hours for Adderall IR, 10 to 12 hours for Adderall XRMore potential for abuseImmediate (IR) and extended (XR) versions for flexibility

Faster absorption rate; starts working in 30 minutes

Effects last 4 hours for Adderall IR, 10 to 12 hours for Adderall XR

More potential for abuse

Immediate (IR) and extended (XR) versions for flexibility

Absorption Rate

The effects of Adderall start to work within 30 minutes. In contrast, Vyvanse takes approximately one to two hours to take effect.

Vyvanse is often described as “smoother” than Adderall. One of the reasons for this is that because it has a slower absorption rate, there is not a “kick” or “jolt” to the system when the medication starts to work.

Medication Rebound

In addition, there is lessmedication reboundwhen Vyvanse starts to wear off. Since Adderall is available in both intermediate and extended versions, it allows for great flexibility in how it can be taken.

For example, a person might be prescribed Adderall XR to take daily and have Adderall IR to take when a more immediate effect is needed or when it is beneficial to have the medication wear off before bedtime.

Safety

Vyvanse and Adderall are Schedule II drugs, which means there is a potential for abuse and dependency.Both are approved to take orally. Since Vyvanse needs to be converted in the body, it can’t be inhaled or injected as a way to become high, so it is less likely to be misused than Adderall and other stimulant medications.

Always store your medications safely and away from other people.

Forms and Dosages

Adderall IR is available in tablets ranging from 5 to 30 milligrams (mg).Adderall XR is available in six different doses ranging from 5mg to 30mg.Vyvanse is available in capsules and chewable tablets in doses from 10mg to 70mg.

Physicians usually prescribe a lower dose when you first start taking a medication and gradually increase it until theyfind the right therapeutic dose for youand your symptoms.

Cost

Adderall and Vyvanse are both brand names and a month’s supply without insurance can cost from around $150 to $400 depending on the frequency and dose. Your cost can vary according to your insurance coverage. If the cost is too much, generic versions can be considerably cheaper.

Adderall is available in generic versions called mixed amphetamine salts. In 2023, the FDA approved multiple generic versions of Vyvanse, called lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, offering patients both capsule and chewable tablet options.

Generic drugs are required to have the same effectiveness as brand-name medications.Studies have confirmed that both have similar clinical outcomes.

Which ADHD Drug Is Right For You?

If you are wondering which ADHD medication is best for you or your child, talk through the options with your healthcare provider. Finding the optimal medication often involves some back and forth with your physician as each person responds differently.

When you start taking a new medication, monitor how it makes you feel, including side effects. Then inform your prescribing physician so they can make the necessary adjustments if needed.

Some of the key factors that might go into deciding which one is right for you are how long the medication lasts and how much it costs. After trying one medication, you might find that it is not working as well as expected, and you may want to switch. Each person is different, so go off of how you feel and work with your healthcare provider to come up with the right approach.

Final Thoughts

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 managingsymptoms of ADHD, but it may take some trial and error to find the medication and dose that works best.

It is also important to remember that while these are among the most popular options for treating ADHD, they are not the only ones. There are also other options available, which you should discuss with your physician if you feel like neither Vyvanse nor Adderall is right for your needs.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) ADHD Medication

9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall CII label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Vyvanse label.Chang JG, Cimino FM, Gossa W.ADHD in children: common questions and answers.Am Fam Phys. 2020;102(9):592-602.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Generic drug facts.Desai RJ, Sarpatwari A, Dejene S, et al.Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of US health insurance claims.PLoS Med. 2019;16(3):e1002763. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002763

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall CII label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Vyvanse label.Chang JG, Cimino FM, Gossa W.ADHD in children: common questions and answers.Am Fam Phys. 2020;102(9):592-602.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Generic drug facts.Desai RJ, Sarpatwari A, Dejene S, et al.Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of US health insurance claims.PLoS Med. 2019;16(3):e1002763. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002763

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall CII label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Vyvanse label.Chang JG, Cimino FM, Gossa W.ADHD in children: common questions and answers.Am Fam Phys. 2020;102(9):592-602.Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Generic drug facts.Desai RJ, Sarpatwari A, Dejene S, et al.Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of US health insurance claims.PLoS Med. 2019;16(3):e1002763. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002763

Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall CII label.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall XR label.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Vyvanse label.

Chang JG, Cimino FM, Gossa W.ADHD in children: common questions and answers.Am Fam Phys. 2020;102(9):592-602.

Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug scheduling.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Generic drug facts.

Desai RJ, Sarpatwari A, Dejene S, et al.Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of US health insurance claims.PLoS Med. 2019;16(3):e1002763. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002763

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