Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

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

Key takeaways

Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are both prescription medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is a wakefulness-promoting agent used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), on the other hand, is a stimulant primarily used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is a Schedule IV controlled substance, indicating a lower potential for abuse compared to Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), which is a Schedule II controlled substance with a higher risk of misuse and dependency. Both Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are available in a generic version. Both medications have side effects, but they differ; for example, armodafinil (Nuvigil) can cause fatigue and constipation, while Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) can lead to poor appetite and unintended weight loss. Additionally, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and armodafinil (Nuvigil) are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

  • Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
    Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
  • Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
    Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

  • Summary of Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Summary for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Prescription only

    Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is used to improve wakefulness in adults who have extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or shift work disorder. It belongs to a drug class called wakefulness-promoting agents. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is taken by mouth once a day. The exact dosage depends on the condition you have. Some side effects include headache, nausea, and dizziness. This medication is a controlled substance because it has a risk of misuse and dependence. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is available in brand-name and generic versions.

    Summary for Stimulant
    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 of Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Indications for
    •Improve wakefulness in adults with excessive sleepiness due to:
    •Narcolepsy
    •Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
    •Shift work disorder
    Indications for
    •Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older
    •Moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Pros and Const for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Pros
    •Starts to work within a few hours
    •Taken once a day
    Cons
    •Can interact with many medications, including omeprazole (Prilosec) and hormonal birth control
    •Not proven to be safe or effective for children
    Pros and Const for Stimulant
    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 of Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (17%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Trouble sleeping (5%)
    •Anxiety (4%)
    •Diarrhea (4%)
    •Dry mouth (4%)
    Common Side Effects for

    ADHD

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

    Binge eating disorder

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

  • Warnings of Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Serious skin reactions
    •Still feeling sleepy and risk of unsafe driving
    •Unusual changes in mood and behavior
    •Caution use in people with heart problems
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 Nuvigil vs. Vyvanse

    Learn more about Armodafinil
    Learn more about Vyvanse

Compare other Narcolepsy and ADHD drugs

Nuvigil vs RitalinNuvigil vs VyvanseWakix vs NuvigilAzstarys vs VyvanseConcerta vs RitalinDesoxyn vs RitalinEvekeo vs RitalinEvekeo vs VyvanseFocalin vs RitalinFocalin vs VyvanseGuanfacine vs VyvanseIntuniv vs RitalinMedrol vs RitalinProvigil vs RitalinQelbree vs VyvanseRitalin vs AdderallRitalin vs DexedrineRitalin vs FortestaRitalin vs KapvayRitalin vs MarinolStrattera vs RitalinVyvanse vs AdderallVyvanse vs Adderall XrVyvanse vs ConcertaVyvanse vs DesoxynVyvanse vs DexedrineVyvanse vs IntunivVyvanse vs KapvayVyvanse vs RitalinWellbutrin vs Ritalin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.