Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMain DifferencesDosagesSide EffectsContraindicationsInteractionsWhich Is Most Effective?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Main Differences
Dosages
Side Effects
Contraindications
Interactions
Which Is Most Effective?
Vynanse can also be used to treatbinge eating disorder (BED), while Adderall may be prescribed to treatnarcolepsy(a type of sleeping disorder).
This article explains the differences between Vyvanse and Adderall, including how they are used and which are more effective (and why). It also describes the recommended dosages, side effects, interactions, and when the drugs should not be used.
Tom Werner / Getty Images
Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Main Differences
In people with ADHD, increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine can help improve alertness, increase focus, and sustain thought, effort, and motivation.
This doesn’t mean that Vyvanse, Adderall IR, and Adderall XR are the same or can be used interchangeably.
Metabolism and Absorption in the Body
Where Vyvanse differs is that it is aprodrug, whereas Adderall is anactive drug.
With an active drug like Adderall, the ingredientsamphetamineanddextroamphetaminedirectly increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. When the drugs are metabolized, they become inactive and are eliminated.
The benefit of a prodrug like Vyvanse is that it takes less medication to achieve the same effect as an active drug like Adderall. Because of this, prodrugs are less likely to cause toxicity or side effects.
Indications for Treatment
Vyvanse, Adderall IR, and Adderall XR can all treat ADHD but vary in how they are used and in whom they can be used.
Vyvanseis approved to treat:
Adderall IRis approved to treat:
Adderall XRis FDA-approved to treat:
How to Take Each Medication
All three drugs are available as generics.
Vyvanse
Vyvanse, available as an oral capsule and chewable tablet, is prescribed in milligrams (mg) in the following dosages:
Adderall IR
Adderall IR, available as an oral tablet, is prescribed in the following dosages:
Adderall XR
Adderall XR, available as an oral capsule, is only used to treat ADHD. It is prescribed as follows:
Strattera vs. Adderall: What’s the Difference?
Vyvanse and Adderall have strikingly similar side effects. With that being said, Vyvanse is less likely to have intolerable side effects that may cause a person to skip a dose or discontinue treatment.
VyvanseLoss of appetiteWeight lossDry mouthStomach painMood swingsAnxietyNausea and vomitingDiarrhea or constipationDizzinessRapid heartbeatsHeart palpitationsErectile dysfunctionTicsand tremorsExcessive sweatingShortness of breathUrinary tract infections (UTIs)AdderallLoss of appetiteWeight lossDry mouthStomach painMood swingsAnxietyNausea and vomitingDiarrhea or constipationDizzinessRapid heartbeatsHeart palpitationsErectile dysfunctionTics and tremorsExcessive sweatingShortness of breathLow sex driveHeadacheHeartburn
VyvanseLoss of appetiteWeight lossDry mouthStomach painMood swingsAnxietyNausea and vomitingDiarrhea or constipationDizzinessRapid heartbeatsHeart palpitationsErectile dysfunctionTicsand tremorsExcessive sweatingShortness of breathUrinary tract infections (UTIs)
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Dry mouth
Stomach pain
Mood swings
Anxiety
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Dizziness
Rapid heartbeats
Heart palpitations
Erectile dysfunction
Ticsand tremors
Excessive sweating
Shortness of breath
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
AdderallLoss of appetiteWeight lossDry mouthStomach painMood swingsAnxietyNausea and vomitingDiarrhea or constipationDizzinessRapid heartbeatsHeart palpitationsErectile dysfunctionTics and tremorsExcessive sweatingShortness of breathLow sex driveHeadacheHeartburn
Tics and tremors
Low sex drive
Headache
Heartburn
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects, while uncommon, can occur with both Vyvanse and Adderall. These include:
Seek immediate medical care if you have signs or symptoms of any of these condtions.
Boxed WarningAboxed warningis the FDA’s highest level of warning to consumers about the potential dangers of a drug. For Vyvanse, Adderall, and other CNS stimulants, the FDA advises that Vyvanse and Adderall have a high potential forabuse and dependenceand may increase the risk ofstroke,heart attack, or sudden death if overused.
Boxed Warning
Aboxed warningis the FDA’s highest level of warning to consumers about the potential dangers of a drug. For Vyvanse, Adderall, and other CNS stimulants, the FDA advises that Vyvanse and Adderall have a high potential forabuse and dependenceand may increase the risk ofstroke,heart attack, or sudden death if overused.
Who Should Avoid Vyvanse or Adderall?
CNS stimulants are contraindicated for use in certain people. Absolute contraindications for Vyvanse and Adderall include:
Adderall or Vyvanse may be prescribed with caution if the healthcare provider determines that doing so is safe for people with:
Drug Interactions
CNS stimulants like Vyvanse and Adderall can cause drug interactions, some of which may be serious. Advise your healthcare provider if you take any of the following before starting treatment:
Which Drug Is More Effective for ADHD?
When comparing ADHD medications, Vyvanse and Adderall XR are clearly advantageous because you only need to take one dose per day. This makes drug adherence easier, which most studies suggest improves the effectiveness of treatment.
By way of comparison:
By contrast, Adderall IR has a shorterdrug half-life(meaning the speed at which a drug is eliminated from the body), meaning that you have to take it more often to keep drug concentrations at adequate levels in the bloodstream.
A review of studies published in 2019 compared Vyvanse against several other ADHD drugs, including Adderall, and concluded that Vyvanse was more effective overall.
According to the researchers, Vyvanse had less profound side effects and was more easily tolerated than other CNS stimulants. Because of this, users were more likely to adhere to daily treatment and, in turn, have better clinical outcomes.
Summary
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.
12 SourcesVerywell Health 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Adderall XR - dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule; Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet, chewable.DailyMed.Adderall - dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.ADHD and the brain.Markovich M, Ben-Shabat S, Dahan A.Prodrugs for improved drug delivery: lessons learned from recently developed and marketed products.Pharmaceutics.2020 Nov;12(11):1031. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12111031Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Stimulant and related medications: U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and dosages for use in pediatric patients.Stuhec M, Lukić P, Locatelli I.Efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, and modafinil in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(2):121-133. doi:10.1177/1060028018795703Wojnowski NM, Zhou E, Jee YH.Effect of stimulants on final adult height.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Oct 5;35(11):1337-1344. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0344MedlinePlus.Lisdexamfetamine.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Dolder PC, Strahhar P, Vizeli P, et al.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lisdexamfetamine compared with d-amphetamine in healthy subjects.Front Pharmacol.2017;8:617. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00617
12 Sources
Verywell Health 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Adderall XR - dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule; Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet, chewable.DailyMed.Adderall - dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.ADHD and the brain.Markovich M, Ben-Shabat S, Dahan A.Prodrugs for improved drug delivery: lessons learned from recently developed and marketed products.Pharmaceutics.2020 Nov;12(11):1031. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12111031Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Stimulant and related medications: U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and dosages for use in pediatric patients.Stuhec M, Lukić P, Locatelli I.Efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, and modafinil in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(2):121-133. doi:10.1177/1060028018795703Wojnowski NM, Zhou E, Jee YH.Effect of stimulants on final adult height.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Oct 5;35(11):1337-1344. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0344MedlinePlus.Lisdexamfetamine.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Dolder PC, Strahhar P, Vizeli P, et al.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lisdexamfetamine compared with d-amphetamine in healthy subjects.Front Pharmacol.2017;8:617. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00617
Verywell Health 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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.DailyMed.Adderall XR - dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule; Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet, chewable.DailyMed.Adderall - dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.ADHD and the brain.Markovich M, Ben-Shabat S, Dahan A.Prodrugs for improved drug delivery: lessons learned from recently developed and marketed products.Pharmaceutics.2020 Nov;12(11):1031. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12111031Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Stimulant and related medications: U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and dosages for use in pediatric patients.Stuhec M, Lukić P, Locatelli I.Efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, and modafinil in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(2):121-133. doi:10.1177/1060028018795703Wojnowski NM, Zhou E, Jee YH.Effect of stimulants on final adult height.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Oct 5;35(11):1337-1344. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0344MedlinePlus.Lisdexamfetamine.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Dolder PC, Strahhar P, Vizeli P, et al.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lisdexamfetamine compared with d-amphetamine in healthy subjects.Front Pharmacol.2017;8:617. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00617
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.
DailyMed.Adderall XR - dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.
DailyMed.Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule; Vyvanse - lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet, chewable.
DailyMed.Adderall - dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.ADHD and the brain.
Markovich M, Ben-Shabat S, Dahan A.Prodrugs for improved drug delivery: lessons learned from recently developed and marketed products.Pharmaceutics.2020 Nov;12(11):1031. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics12111031
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Stimulant and related medications: U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved indications and dosages for use in pediatric patients.
Stuhec M, Lukić P, Locatelli I.Efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, and modafinil in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(2):121-133. doi:10.1177/1060028018795703
Wojnowski NM, Zhou E, Jee YH.Effect of stimulants on final adult height.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Oct 5;35(11):1337-1344. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0344
MedlinePlus.Lisdexamfetamine.
MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Dolder PC, Strahhar P, Vizeli P, et al.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lisdexamfetamine compared with d-amphetamine in healthy subjects.Front Pharmacol.2017;8:617. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00617
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