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

Vyvanse

(lisdexamfetamine)

Methylphenidate

(Ritalin)

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 Ritalin

Prescription only

Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) is a stimulant medication that's used for treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It works by raising the levels of certain chemicals in your brain to keep you focused and awake. The dosage is typically 2 to 3 times per day because it's an immediate-release form of methylphenidate. Side effects of this medication include low appetite, nervousness, and trouble sleeping.

Indications for Ritalin

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness)

Pros and Cons for Ritalin

Pros

First-choice medication to treat ADHD in adults and children.
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Available as an oral tablet, chewable tablet, and liquid

Cons

Is a controlled substance because it has a risk of misuse and dependence
Shouldn't stop taking this medication suddenly without talking to your provider first because of greater risk for mood changes
Can negatively affect growth in children

Common Side Effects for Ritalin

Side effects might differ depending on the formulation. In general:

Headache
Anxiety
Trouble sleeping
Low appetite
Weight loss

Warnings for Ritalin

Misuse and dependence
Serious heart problems
Changes in behavior or thoughts
Prolonged and painful erection
Blood circulation problem (Raynaud's phenomenon)
Slowed growth in children
Serotonin syndrome
Drug interactions
Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - chewable tablets only

Prices with our coupons for Lisdexamfetamine vs. Ritalin

Lisdexamfetamine30 capsules / 30mg

$67.98$389.38

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Methylphenidate90 tablets / 10mg

$28.31$87.90

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Lisdexamfetamine vs. Ritalin

Vyvanse

Methylphenidate

Summary for Lisdexamfetamine

Indications for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros and Cons for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lisdexamfetamine

Warnings for Lisdexamfetamine

Summary for Ritalin

Indications for Ritalin

Pros and Cons for Ritalin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Ritalin

Warnings for Ritalin

Prices with our coupons for Lisdexamfetamine vs. Ritalin

Compare other ADHD drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Vyvanse

Methylphenidate

Summary for Lisdexamfetamine

Indications for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros and Cons for Lisdexamfetamine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lisdexamfetamine

Warnings for Lisdexamfetamine

Summary for Ritalin

Indications for Ritalin

Pros and Cons for Ritalin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Ritalin

Warnings for Ritalin