Lisdexamfetamine vs. Atomoxetine for ADHD: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Vyvanse

(lisdexamfetamine)

Atomoxetine

(Strattera)

Summary for Lisdexamfetamine

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 Lisdexamfetamine

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

Pros and Cons for Lisdexamfetamine

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 Lisdexamfetamine

ADHD

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

Binge eating disorder

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

Warnings for Lisdexamfetamine

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

Summary for Atomoxetine

Prescription only

Atomoxetine, also known by its brand name Strattera, is a non-stimulant medication. It's used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and up. Atomoxetine (Strattera) comes as capsules that are swallowed whole. You take your dosage either once or twice a day. Side effects are stomach upset and low appetite. It's not a controlled substance like some ADHD medications are. But atomoxetine (Strattera) still has a few serious risks like behavioral changes and heart problems.

Indications for Atomoxetine

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

Pros and Cons for Atomoxetine

Pros

A good non-stimulant option for both adults and children with ADHD
Can take with or without food
Not a controlled substance, so there isn't a risk of addiction and it doesn't have special rules when filling a prescription

Cons

Might not work as well as ADHD stimulant medications
Can take a few weeks before you notice your ADHD symptoms getting better
Can have drug interactions with certain antidepressants

Common Side Effects for Atomoxetine

Adults:

Nausea (26%)
Dry mouth (20%)
Low appetite (16%)
Trouble sleeping (15%)
Feeling tired (10%)

Children:

Headache (19%)
Stomach pain (18%)
Low appetite (16%)
Sleepiness (11%)
Vomiting (11%)
Nausea (10%)

Warnings for Atomoxetine

Risk of suicidal thoughts
Severe liver damage
Serious heart problems
Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Aggressive behavior or other changes in behavior
Risk of mania in people with bipolar disorder
Long-lasting and painful erection
Slowed growth in children

Prices with our coupons for Lisdexamfetamine vs. Atomoxetine

Lisdexamfetamine30 capsules / 30mg

$67.98$389.38

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Atomoxetine30 capsules / 40mg

$27.78$464.01

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Lisdexamfetamine vs. Atomoxetine

Vyvanse

Atomoxetine

Summary for Lisdexamfetamine

Indications for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros and Cons for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lisdexamfetamine

Warnings for Lisdexamfetamine

Summary for Atomoxetine

Indications for Atomoxetine

Pros and Cons for Atomoxetine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atomoxetine

Warnings for Atomoxetine

Prices with our coupons for Lisdexamfetamine vs. Atomoxetine

Compare other ADHD drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Vyvanse

Atomoxetine

Summary for Lisdexamfetamine

Indications for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros and Cons for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lisdexamfetamine

Warnings for Lisdexamfetamine

Summary for Atomoxetine

Indications for Atomoxetine

Pros and Cons for Atomoxetine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atomoxetine

Warnings for Atomoxetine