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ADHD Medications

Vyvanse vs Adderall: Differences and Similarities

Author:

Jessica Men

PharmD

Medical Reviewer:

Dr. Henry Bradford

Updated: 10.30.2025

The medications listed on this website are provided for informational purposes only.

Their inclusion does not guarantee they will be prescribed to any individual, as treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of healthcare providers. Healthcare providers may prescribe other medications, including non-stimulant options, or recommend non-pharmacological treatment based on the patient’s unique health circumstances and needs. Read more

Boxed warning: Adderall (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts), Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

Adderall[1] and Vyvanse[2] have a boxed warning, the most serious type of warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Adderall and Vyvanse have a risk of misuse (abuse) which can lead to dependence, serious heart conditions, and even sudden death. Adderall and Vyvanse are also controlled substances, indicating their high potential for misuse or dependence. Specific federal and state laws limit the amount of these medications that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.

Adderall (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are two stimulant medications frequently used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. They have several similarities, differences, and unique features that guide clinicians in choosing the most appropriate ADHD treatment.

Highlights

Both Adderall and Vyvanse are stimulant medications commonly prescribed for ADHD but they have different active ingredients.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prodrug; therefore, it has a smoother profile and slightly longer-lasting duration of action (~14h).
Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) comes in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR) formulations; the effects of Adderall IR typically last ~4–6h, XR — ~10–12h.
The side effects, risks, and interactions of both stimulant medications are largely similar.
There is no universal “better” or “stronger” choice; the optimal treatment option depends on individual needs and response.

What Are Vyvanse and Adderall?

Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)

Vyvanse[3] is a stimulant medication that is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED). It is available as the brand-name Vyvanse or as generic lisdexamfetamine, as capsules or chewable tablets.

Adderall (Mixed Amphetamine Salts)

Adderall[4] is another stimulant medication. It is FDA-approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The branded immediate-release formulation of Adderall has largely been discontinued[5] , while the extended-release formulation[6] is available as both brand and generic capsules.

Medication management for ADHD is highly individualized. Talk with a qualified provider to get a tailored treatment plan.

Vyvanse vs Adderall: Similarities and Differences

Vyvanse and Adderall share several important similarities and differences. The table below provides a brief overview, with greater detail in the paragraphs below.

	Vyvanse[3]	Adderall[4]
Drug class	CNS stimulant	CNS stimulant
Active ingredient	Lisdexamfetamine	Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
FDA-approved indications	ADHD, BED	IR: ADHD, narcolepsy XR[6] : ADHD
Scheduled class	Schedule II	Schedule II
Abuse potential	High	High
Mechanism of action	Increases dopamine and norepinephrine	Increases dopamine and norepinephrine
Effects	Improves focus and impulse control	Improves focus and impulse control
Formulations	Capsules, chewable tablets	IR: tablets XR: capsules
Dosing	For ADHD: 30 mg once daily in the morning For BED: 30 mg once daily; the dose is increased gradually, in weekly intervals, until a target recommended dose is reached	IR: For ADHD: starting dose is 5 mg once or twice daily (for adults and children 6 years and older) For narcolepsy: 5-60 mg per day in divided doses XR: 20 mg once daily in the morning for adults
Onset[7]	1.5 hours	IR: 30-45 mins[8] XR: 1.5 hours
Duration of action[7]	14 hours in adults	IR: 4-6 hours[8] XR: 12 hours

Adderall and Vyvanse are both amphetamine-based stimulant medications and rank among the most commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD in the United States. Both can provide significant improvement in ADHD symptoms and have additional FDA-approved indications; Adderall for narcolepsy and Vyvanse for binge-eating disorder. One limitation of Vyvanse is that it is available only in an extended-release formulation; there is no “immediate-release” version of Vyvanse.

Dr. Henry Bradford, MD

Medical provider at MEDvidi

How They Work

Mechanism of Action of Vyvanse and Adderall

Both Vyvanse and Adderall work the way most stimulants are thought to work. They increase the level of dopamine and norepinephrine[9] in the central nervous system, which helps reduce the symptoms of ADHD and some other conditions.

Method of Delivery

A key difference between Adderall and Vyvanse is their method of delivery of the active ingredient.

Adderall comes in two formulations[10] :

Immediate-release Adderall (Adderall IR) has a rapid onset and a short duration of action, and has to be given twice daily for optimal efficacy.
Extended-release Adderall (Adderall XR) is composed of 50% immediate-release beads and 50% delayed-release beads that are designed to release medication after about 4 hours. This is done to mimic the way twice-daily dosing of Adderall IR works.

Vyvanse, on the other hand, is the first chemically created prodrug[9] . This means it’s an inactive version[11] of a medication that converts into an active version in the body. This method of delivery makes the medication less likely to be abused[12] because it is inactive until acted upon to gradually release the active component (note that Vyvanse still has a high potential for abuse).

As a prodrug[9] , Vyvanse is long-acting, as the gradual onset means the body has longer exposure to the medication and may offer smoother control over ADHD symptoms.

Want to learn which ADHD medication may work better for you? Schedule a consultation today.

Side Effects and Safety

Common Side Effects

Common side effects that may occur with both Vyvanse[3] and Adderall[6] include:

Appetite loss
Insomnia
Headache
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Irritability
Dizziness

Serious Risks

All CNS stimulants can cause:

An increase in blood pressure and heart rate
Psychiatric adverse reactions in patients with pre-existing disorders
Weight loss and growth suppression in children

These are serious negative effects, and patients taking either Vyvanse or Adderall should be monitored for these risks accordingly. Please consult a medical provider if any of these reactions occur.

Abuse Potential & Dependence

As Schedule II controlled medications, both Vyvanse[3] and Adderall[6] have a high potential for abuse and misuse. Repeated abuse and misuse of a medication can result in physical dependence, which may cause withdrawal signs and symptoms after abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction.

Drug Interactions and Contraindications

Drug Interactions

Taking Vyvanse[3] or Adderall[6] in combination with certain antidepressant medications can result in a life-threatening reaction called serotonin syndrome due to an overload of serotonin. The examples of such medications include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Acidifying and alkalinizing agents (medications that increase the acid or base levels in the body) can also interact with both Vyvanse and Adderall. They can dangerously affect the level of amphetamine in the blood. In addition, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole for gastrointestinal issues, can affect the absorption of Adderall XR.

Contraindications

Both Vyvanse[3] and Adderall[6] should not be taken by anyone with known hypersensitivity to any of their ingredients or by anyone also taking MAOIs.

Cost and Availability

The cost of generic Vyvanse (30 capsules of 30 mg) is from $178 to $512, depending on the pharmacy, location, and other factors. However, it can be as low as $53 if you use coupons, such as the ones offered by GoodRx. The same supply of brand-name Vyvanse will cost from $399 to $580 (may also be lower due to coupons and special offers at certain pharmacies).

When it comes to Adderall, a brand-name version may cost from $835 to $875 for 30 tablets of 5 mg (around $680 to $840 with discounts). Generic versions are available at $38 to $120 for the same supply (or lower if you use coupons).

These medication prices are accurate as of the publication date; remember to check in with your provider or pharmacist to get the latest information. Quantities, insurance coverage, and other factors can affect the final prices.

Special Considerations

Children

Since stimulants can cause growth suppression and weight loss in children, children taking Vyvanse or Adderall should be closely monitored for growth and weight.

Adults

Due to cardiac effects of stimulants, patients taking Vyvanse and Adderall should be monitored for cardiovascular health, including blood pressure and pulse.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Due to the potential effects that stimulants can have on a fetus, patients should notify their healthcare provider if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during treatment with Vyvanse or Adderall. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with either medication.

Off-Label Uses

Adderall has been used off-label[13] for severe or treatment-resistant depression. However, it should be noted that stimulants can also cause or worsen the symptoms of depression in certain individuals.

Is Vyvanse Stronger or Better than Adderall?

When it comes down to determining if Vyvanse is “better” than Adderall, there is no universal answer[14] . Clinical studies have demonstrated that both are equally effective for ADHD treatment[15] , with similar side effects since they both contain amphetamines and work in a similar way.

Some key benefits of Vyvanse[15] to take into account include its smoother profile, longer duration, and lower abuse potential when compared to Adderall, since Vyvanse is a prodrug. On the other hand, a benefit of Adderall is that it has flexible dosing options, since it comes in both IR and XR formulations.

Make sure you see a healthcare professional to determine which treatment is right for you. Through virtual visits at MEDvidi, a licensed clinician can help you start online ADHD treatment and create a workable plan.

"When determining whether Adderall or Vyvanse is the preferred medication for ADHD, several clinical factors should be considered. These include a person’s prior experience with stimulant medications, the presence of comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, or insomnia, and the desired duration of daily ADHD symptom coverage. Each medication has distinct advantages and limitations, and selecting the right fit can significantly improve both effectiveness and tolerability."

Dr. Henry Bradford, MD

Medical provider at MEDvidi

How to Choose: Vyvanse or Adderall?

From all the similarities and differences we’ve covered above, the final decision would come down to the factors that are most important to you, for instance: duration of action, side effects, what insurance you have, and risk of misuse. These could all be important questions to ask your healthcare provider when you are discussing the right course of action for you.

Switching to Another Stimulant

If you do decide to switch stimulants, make sure you do so only under the guidance of your healthcare provider, since Vyvanse and Adderall are not dose-for-dose equivalent. A healthcare provider can help you make a decision based on your individual needs.

Conclusion

Both Adderall and Vyvanse are effective treatment options for ADHD. However, the choice of the medication is highly individualized, so it’s important to see a healthcare provider who can determine the most appropriate option.

Through MEDvidi, you can get a clinical evaluation and, when appropriate, receive an online prescription for Vyvanse or Adderall. Book an appointment to start online ADHD treatment in 24 hours.

Sources

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