Vyndaqel vs. Vyndamax: What’s the Difference?

In May 2019, Vyndaqel and Vyndamax became the first medications approved to treat wild-type and hereditary forms of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). They were also the first medications in their class — transthyretin (TTR) stabilizers.

If you’re prescribed Vyndaqel, you need to take four pills per dose. With Vyndamax, you only take one pill. But why is that? The short answer: It has to do with their ingredients. Below, we help you understand the difference between these two medications.

Vyndaqel and Vyndamax contain the same active ingredient, but in different forms

Vyndaqel and Vyndamax both contain the same active ingredient: tafamidis. But Vyndaqel contains a salt form called tafamidis meglumine. Vyndamax contains the free acid form of tafamidis. 

Vyndaqel and Vyndamax are considered bioequivalent. This means that the active component (tafamidis) is absorbed in a similar amount and at a similar rate. In other words, Vyndaqel and Vyndamax should work the same way in the body. But the two products aren’t interchangeable on a per-milligram basis. This is why they require different dosages.

Vyndaqel and Vyndamax require different dosages

Vyndaqel comes as 20 mg capsules. Each capsule contains 20 mg of tafamidis meglumine, which is equivalent to 12.2 mg tafamidis. Vyndamax comes as 61 mg capsules that each contain 61 mg of tafamidis. Vyndaqel and Vyndamax capsules are the same size.

Since each Vyndaqel capsule contains a smaller amount of tafamidis, you need to take four capsules as a once-daily dose. Vyndamax was developed as a more convenient option. Since each capsule contains more tafamidis, you only need to take one capsule per day.

You can switch from Vyndaqel to Vyndamax for convenience

Since the two medications are considered to be bioequivalent, your healthcare provider can switch you from Vyndaqel to Vyndamax. If you take a lot of pills every day, switching can help you cut down on how many you take. But is it safe to make the switch?

After the initial Vyndaqel clinical trial, people were followed to study the long-term benefits of treatment. During this study, everyone taking Vyndaqel was transitioned to Vyndamax. Side effects were similar, and there were no new safety concerns with Vyndamax.

You can save money on Vyndaqel and Vyndamax with a manufacturer copay card

Whether you’re taking Vyndaqel or Vyndamax, there are ways to save on your prescription. Both medications are made by the same manufacturer, which offers a copay savings card to make your prescription more affordable. If you’re eligible, you could pay as little as $0 per month for Vyndaqel or Vyndamax.

Good to know: Vyndaqel and Vyndamax are considered specialty medications, so you’ll usually receive them in the mail from a specialty pharmacy. Pharmacy staff will work with your insurance to figure out your coverage and prescription cost. They’ll also help you understand if you’re eligible for any financial assistance. 

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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