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Compare Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

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

Key takeaways

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and clonidine ER (Kapvay) are both used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but they work in different ways and belong to different medication classes. Vyvanse is a stimulant used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years and older, and it is also used to treat binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. In contrast, clonidine ER is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that works on certain receptors in the brain, though its exact mechanism for treating ADHD is not well understood. Vyvanse is a controlled substance with a high risk of misuse and dependency, while clonidine ER is not a controlled medication and has no potential for abuse. Vyvanse is available in both capsule and chewable tablet forms, whereas clonidine ER must be swallowed whole and is only available in an extended-release form. Vyvanse can cause side effects like difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite, while clonidine ER often leads to sedation and sleepiness. Additionally, Vyvanse is approved to treat ADHD in both children and adults, while clonidine ER is only approved for children aged 6 to 17.

  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
    Clonidine er (Kapvay)
  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
    Clonidine er (Kapvay)

  • Summary of Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

    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.

    Summary for Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
    Prescription only

    Extended-release clonidine (Kapvay) is an alpha-2 agonist. It's a non-stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Clonidine ER (Kapvay) is taken by mouth, typically twice per day. Some of the more common side effects include sleepiness and headache. This medication rarely causes insomnia (trouble sleeping), and isn't known to cause weight gain. Brand name Kapvay has been discontinued; clonidine ER (Kapvay) is only available as a generic medication.

  • Indications of Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

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

  • Pros and Cons of Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

    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
    Pros and Const for Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •A non-stimulant option for ADHD
    •Can be taken by children ages 6 years and older
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice option for ADHD
    •Need to take twice daily
    •Can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly

  • Common Side Effects of Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

    Common Side Effects for

    ADHD

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

    Binge eating disorder

    •Dry mouth (36%)
    •Trouble sleeping (20%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness (up to 38%)
    •Headache (up to 20%)
    •Fatigue (up to 16%)
    •Upper stomach pain (up to 15%)

  • Warnings of Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm problems
    •Extreme sleepiness and dizziness
    •Allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Vyvanse vs. Kapvay

    Learn more about Vyvanse
    Learn more about Clonidine er

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