Vyvanse and Adderall are two drugs that doctors may prescribe to treat ADHD symptoms. Both work in similar ways and share comparable side effect profiles.
Both Vyvanse and Adderall are effective treatments for symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have different active ingredients but treat symptoms by altering the amount of free dopamine and norepinephrine in the blood.
The active ingredient in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine, while the active ingredients in Adderall are a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts.
In this article, we explore the similarities and differences between Vyvanse and Adderall and discuss how doctors decide between the two.
Adderall is a brand-name medication containing a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is a central nervous system stimulant, which works by increasing the circulating amount of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain.
Adderall is available in immediate-release tablets and extended-release capsules (Adderall XR). While both types can help treat ADHD, people also use immediate-release Adderall to treat narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder.
How to take Adderall and dosages
A doctor may prescribe immediate-release Adderall at the lowest-available dose — as low as 2.5 milligrams (mg) per day — and increase it if necessary.
Dosages of Adderall vary depending on the type. The drug is available as in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR) forms. The former releases into the body immediately upon dosage, while the latter releases slowly over a period.
| Immediate-release (mg) | Extended-release (mg) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5 |
| 7.5 | 10 |
| 10 | 15 |
| 12.5 | 20 |
| 15 | 25 |
| 20 | 30 |
| 30 |
The active ingredient in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine. Lisdexamfetamine is an inactive drug that the body breaks down into dextroamphetamine in the bloodstream. Dextroamphetamine is one of the same active ingredients that Adderall contains and similarly affects dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
Vyvanse is available in a capsule or in a chewable form. If someone has difficulty swallowing, they can open the capsule and dissolve the contents in water.
How to take Vyvanse and dosages
The following table lists the dosages of both forms of Vyvanse.
| Vyvanse (mg) | Vyvanse chewable (mg) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 10 |
| 20 | 20 |
| 30 | 30 |
| 40 | 40 |
| 50 | 50 |
| 60 | 60 |
| 70 |
The starting dose of Vyvanse to treat ADHD in people 6 years and older is 30 mg once daily in the morning. The doctor can increase the dose by 10 to 20 mg every week until the medication achieves the desired effect.
Doctors prescribe both Vyvanse and Adderall
Doctors can prescribe Adderall IR in people over 6 years old to treat narcolepsy. Adderall XR is also an off-label option for the treatment of narcolepsy once a person reaches a stable dose.
Alongside behavioral therapy, medications are a first-line treatment for ADHD.
The drugs differ in their length of action:
- Vyvanse provides takes up to 1 hour to take effect and may last for 8 to 14 hours.
- Adderall XR can take up to 7 hours to reach peak concentration in the blood.
- Adderall IR can take up to 3 hours to reach peak concentration.
Sometimes, people who take Adderall XR need a short-acting amphetamine at the end of the effect to extend the control of their symptoms.
The side effects of Vyvanse, Adderall XR, and Adderall are similar and include:
- reduced appetite
- decreased weight
- sleeplessness
- dry mouth
- irritability
- nausea and vomiting
- tics
- increases in blood pressure and heart rate
- constipation
- diarrhea
Since the body converts Vyvanse into dextroamphetamine, both Vyvanse and Adderall have the same drug interactions.
As with other stimulants, people need to avoid using certain types of antidepressants — namely monoamine oxidase inhibitors — with Vyvanse, Adderall, or Adderall XR. Mixing these medications can cause a person’s blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors include:
- phenelzine
- isocarboxazid
- tranylcypromine
- selegiline
A person must stop taking these drugs 14 days before starting Vyvanse or Adderall XR.
When choosing whether to take Adderall or Vyvanse, people can ask the following questions.
What am I using it for?
Both Adderall and Vyvanse are effective treatments for ADHD. For binge eating disorder, doctors can prescribe Vyvanse because researchers have demonstrated its efficacy through clinical studies.
Immediate-release Adderall helps treat narcolepsy, but doctors have only indicated Adderall XR for treating ADHD.
How long do the effects last?
One of the most significant differences between Vyvanse and Adderall is that Vyvanse remains inactive until the body breaks it down in the bloodstream. The effect of Vyvanse can last longer than that of Adderall XR. Vyvanse provides a maximum of 12 hours of symptom control.
Adderall XR only lasts about 10 hours, and some people may require additional short-acting amphetamines.
How easy are they to take?
Some people have difficulty swallowing pills. Both Vyvanse and Adderall have options for people with difficulty swallowing.
People can take these drugs in the following ways:
- dissolve the contents of Vyvanse capsules in water
- choose chewable Vyvanse tablets
- sprinkle the contents of Adderall XR capsules in applesauce
- cut immediate-release tablets of Adderall in half if necessary
What is their abuse potential?
Both Vyvanse and Adderall XR are long-acting stimulants of the central nervous system. There is a lower potential for abuse with long-acting stimulants.
Immediate-release Adderall is a short-acting medication and has a higher potential for abuse. However, it is the only drug indicated in the treatment of ADHD in children under 6 years old.
Vyvanse and Adderall are two stimulants of the central nervous system that doctors prescribe for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their side effect profile and drug interactions are similar. Adderall is available in both an immediate and extended-release form.
The immediate-release form of Adderall is the only medication for ADHD that is suitable for preschool-aged children between 3 and 5 years old. Both Vyvanse and Adderall are suitable for people who cannot swallow pills.
Vyvanse has a longer duration of action than Adderall XR. Sometimes, a short-acting stimulant is necessary to extend the effect of Adderall XR.