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Lisdexamfetamine vs. Modafinil

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Vyvanse

(lisdexamfetamine)

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Modafinil

(Provigil)

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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

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

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 Modafinil

Prescription only

Modafinil (Provigil) helps improve wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. This wake-promoting medication comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. For adults with narcolepsy or sleep apnea, you take a dosage once daily in the morning. And for those with shift work disorder, you take your dosage 1 hour before the start of your work shift. Common side effects include headache and nausea. Modafinil (Provigil) is a controlled substance because of its potential for misuse.

Indications for Modafinil

Pros and Cons for Modafinil

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Modafinil

  • Headache (34%)
  • Nausea (11%)
  • Feeling nervous (7%)
  • Runny nose (7%)
  • Back pain (6%)
  • Diarrhea (6%)
  • Anxiety (5%)
  • Dizziness (5%)
  • Indigestion (5%)
  • Trouble sleeping (5%)

Warnings for Modafinil

  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Serious rash and skin reactions
  • Sleepiness and trouble focusing, thinking, and reacting
  • Unusual changes in mood and behavior
  • Heart problems
  • Changes in blood pressure and heart rate

Prices with our coupons for Lisdexamfetamine vs. Modafinil

Price Card Drug Icon
Lisdexamfetamine30 capsules / 30mg
$67.98$389.23
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Price Card Drug Icon
Modafinil30 tablets / 200mg
$22.28$139.36
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