Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Vyvanse vs. Strattera

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

Key takeaways

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and atomoxetine (Strattera) are both used to treat ADHD in adults and children age 6 years and older, but they have some key differences. Vyvanse is a stimulant and a controlled substance, meaning it has a high risk of misuse and dependency. Atomoxetine, on the other hand, is a non-stimulant and not a controlled substance, so it doesn't carry the same risk of addiction. However, it doesn’t improve ADHD symptoms as well as stimulant medications do. Vyvanse can also treat binge eating disorder in adults, while atomoxetine is only approved for ADHD. Vyvanse tends to work faster, often within a couple of hours, whereas atomoxetine may take a few weeks to show full effects. Additionally, Vyvanse is available in both capsule and chewable tablet forms, while atomoxetine is only available as capsules. Common side effects for Vyvanse include difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite, while atomoxetine can cause nausea and dry mouth. Both medications are available as low-cost generics.

  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
    Atomoxetine (Strattera)
  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
    Atomoxetine (Strattera)

  • Summary of Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Summary for Stimulant
    Prescription only

    Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is one of the first-choice medications used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can also help treat binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is taken once per day and can start to work within a couple hours. But some common side effects include difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite. It's a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse and dependency.

    Summary for Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years of age and older. It's not a controlled substance like many other ADHD medications are. But atomoxetine (Strattera) still has potentially serious risks to consider, such as mental health problems and heart problems.

  • Indications of Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Indications for
    •Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - adults and children age 6 years and older
    •Moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (BED) - adults only
    Indications for
    •Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  • Pros and Cons of Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Pros and Const for Stimulant
    Pros
    •A first-choice medication for ADHD
    •Works well for binge eating disorder
    •In children with ADHD, might start working within 1.5 hours and last for 13 hours
    •In adults with ADHD, might start working within 2 hours and last for 14 hours
    •If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can open the capsules and sprinkle contents onto certain foods, 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
    •Dose needs to be raised and lowered slowly to avoid side effects and withdrawal symptoms
    •Not the best choice for pregnant or breastfeeding females or people with heart conditions
    Pros and Const for Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well in children and adults for ADHD symptoms
    •Can take with or without food
    •Not a controlled substance, so there isn't a risk of addiction or dependence
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Doesn't have as much evidence for improving ADHD symptoms as stimulant medications do
    •Can take a few weeks before you notice your ADHD symptoms getting better
    •Only available as capsules that must be swallowed whole
    •Not completely clear how safe it is in pregnant or breastfeeding females

  • Common Side Effects of Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Common Side Effects for

    ADHD

    •Poor appetite (up to 39%)
    •Difficulty sleeping (up to 27%)
    •Dry mouth (26% in adults)
    •Stomach pain (12% in children younger than 12 years old)
    •Feeling irritable (10% in children younger than 12 years old)

    Binge eating disorder

    •Dry mouth (36%)
    •Difficulty sleeping (20%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Nausea (26%)
    •Dry mouth (20%)
    •Low appetite (16%)
    •Trouble sleeping (15%)
    •Feeling tired (10%)
    •Constipation (8%)
    •Dizziness (8%)
    •Sleepiness (8%)
    •Erectile dysfunction (8%)
    •Stomach pain (7%)
    •Problems urinating (6%)

    Children:

    •Headache (19%)
    •Stomach pain (18%)
    •Low appetite (16%)
    •Sleepiness (11%)
    •Vomiting (11%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Feeling tired (8%)

  • Warnings of Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Common Side Effects for
    •Misuse and dependence
    •Serious heart problems
    •Changes in behavior or thoughts
    •Slowed growth in children
    •Blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's phenomenon)
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Drug interactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Suicidal thoughts
    •Severe liver damage
    •Serious heart problems
    •Potential worsening of bipolar disorder
    •Aggressive behavior or other changes in behavior
    •Prolonged and painful erection
    •Slowed growth in children

  • Prices with our coupons for Vyvanse vs. Strattera

    Learn more about Vyvanse
    Learn more about Atomoxetine

Compare other ADHD drugs

Azstarys vs VyvanseEvekeo vs VyvanseFocalin vs VyvanseGuanfacine vs VyvanseNuvigil vs VyvanseQelbree vs VyvanseVyvanse vs AdderallVyvanse vs Adderall XrVyvanse vs ConcertaVyvanse vs DesoxynVyvanse vs DexedrineVyvanse vs IntunivVyvanse vs KapvayVyvanse vs RitalinVyvanse vs StratteraXelstrym vs VyvanseAdderall vs ConcertaAzstarys vs ConcertaConcerta vs Adderall XrConcerta vs RitalinDexedrine vs AdderallEvekeo vs AdderallEvekeo vs ConcertaEvekeo vs FocalinEvekeo vs MydayisEvekeo vs RitalinFocalin vs ConcertaFocalin vs DexedrineIntuniv vs ConcertaStrattera vs Concerta
View More

Browse medications

View All

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