Adderall XR vs. Vyvanse for ADHD: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Adderall XR

Vyvanse

(lisdexamfetamine)

Summary for Adderall XR

Prescription only

Adderall XR is the extended-release version of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salt combo. It's a stimulant used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older. It comes as a capsule that you take once a day in the morning. The prescriber can adjust the dosage depending on how well it helps you focus and if you have side effects that bother you. These side effects can include low appetite, stomach pain, and trouble sleeping. It's a controlled substance because of its high risk of misuse and dependency. Adderall XR is available as a brand-name medication and a generic.

Indications for Adderall XR

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people ages 6 years and older

Pros and Cons for Adderall XR

Pros

A first-choice medication for ADHD
Only taken once a day
Starts working within 45 minutes and lasts for up to 12 hours
Can open capsules and mix contents with applesauce if you have trouble swallowing pills whole

Cons

Has a risk of misuse and dependency
A controlled medication, so there are special requirements for getting the prescription filled
Can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop the medication too suddenly
Not the best choice for people with heart conditions

Common Side Effects for Adderall XR

Children:

Low appetite
Trouble sleeping
Stomach pain

Adults:

Dry mouth
Low appetite
Trouble sleeping
Headache
Feeling nervous
Weight loss

Warnings for Adderall XR

Risk of misuse and addiction
Risks to people with serious heart conditions
Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
Strange thoughts or behaviors
Slow growth in children
Seizures
Problems with blood flow in the arms and legs, including Raynaud's phenomenon
Serotonin syndrome

Summary for Vyvanse

Prescription only

Vyvanse, the brand name for lisdexamfetamine, is a stimulant medication. It's used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older. It can also treat binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) comes as capsules and chewable tablets. It's taken once per day in the morning. The dosage starts low and gets adjusted based on how you respond to the medication. Common side effects include trouble sleeping and loss of appetite. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse and dependency.

Indications for Vyvanse

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older
Moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults

Pros and Cons for Vyvanse

Pros

A first-choice ADHD medication
Can help with ADHD for up to 14 hours with each dose
For binge eating disorder, can lower the number of binge-eating days per week by about one and a half days
Has a few options for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole (open the capsule or switch to chewable tablets)

Cons

Has a risk of misuse and dependency
A controlled medication, so there are special requirements for getting the prescription filled
Might need to take gradually lower doses before stopping to avoid withdrawal symptoms
Not the best choice for people with heart conditions

Common Side Effects for Vyvanse

ADHD

Lower appetite (27%)
Trouble sleeping (27%)
Dry mouth (26%)

Binge eating disorder

Dry mouth (36%)
Trouble sleeping (20%)

Warnings for Vyvanse

Risk of misuse and addiction
Risks to people with serious heart problems
Higher blood pressure and faster heart rate
Strange thoughts or behavior
Slow growth in children
Problems with blood flow in the arms and legs, including Raynaud's phenomenon
Serotonin syndrome

Prices with our coupons for Adderall XR vs. Vyvanse

Amphetamine Salt Combo XR (Adderall XR)30 capsules / 30mg

$30.21$201.00

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Lisdexamfetamine30 capsules / 30mg

$67.98$389.38

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Adderall XR vs. Vyvanse

Adderall XR

Vyvanse

Summary for Adderall XR

Indications for Adderall XR

Pros and Cons for Adderall XR

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Adderall XR

Warnings for Adderall XR

Summary for Vyvanse

Indications for Vyvanse

Pros and Cons for Vyvanse

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Vyvanse

Warnings for Vyvanse

Prices with our coupons for Adderall XR vs. Vyvanse

Compare other ADHD drugs

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Adderall XR

Vyvanse

Summary for Adderall XR

Indications for Adderall XR

Pros and Cons for Adderall XR

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Adderall XR

Warnings for Adderall XR

Summary for Vyvanse

Indications for Vyvanse

Pros and Cons for Vyvanse

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Vyvanse

Warnings for Vyvanse