Vyvanse or Adderall: What's Better?

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on June 30, 2024
Written by Susan Bernstein, Kim Painter
6 min read

Vyvanse and Adderall are drugs used by many children and adults to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both are stimulants called amphetamines.

They work by raising levels of chemicals in your brain called dopamine and norepinephrine that help you focus, control your impulses, and pay attention at school or work. About 80% of people notice that their symptoms are better when they take stimulants.

Vyvanse and Adderall aren't exactly the same, though. They do different things in your body and can cause different side effects.

You'll work with your doctor to find an ADHD treatment that's best for you. It might take some time to find the right medicine and dose. If the first one your doctor prescribes doesn't work, you can try a different one.

Alternatives to Adderall and Vyvanse

In addition to Vyvanse, Adderall, and their generic versions, other stimulant drugs on the market include forms of methylphenidate, such as Ritalin and Concerta, which are not amphetamines but work in similar ways. Additional amphetamines used for ADHD include forms of dextroamphetamine, such as Dexedrine, as well as medicines called amphetamine sulfates. Some stimulant medicines are used to treat conditions such as binge eating disorder, obesity and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, as well as ADHD.

Non-stimulant drugs and non-drug therapies can also be part of ADHD treatment.

Adderall is the brand name for a mix of two stimulants called amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. It comes in a capsule full of beads that hold these medicines, which are also called mixed amphetamine salts.

A capsule of Adderall can contain between 5 and 30 milligrams of the medicine. A dose of the original form lasts about 4 hours in your body. The longer-acting form, called Adderall XR, comes in the same sizes but can last 8-12 hours. This is because half the beads are fast-acting, and the others are slow-acting.

Vyvanse is the brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It comes in capsules, with 10-70 milligrams of medicine, and chewable tablets, with 10-60 milligrams of medicine. It also has the stimulant amphetamine but adds a compound called lysine. Your body has to absorb the lysine to get to the stimulant, so your dose may last up to 14 hours.

In some cases, your doctor might suggest you combine long-acting and short-acting stimulants to get full coverage during the day — for example, taking a long-acting dose early in the morning and a short-acting dose in the afternoon.

Because Adderall and Vyvanse are both stimulants, they have similar side effects. Any stimulant can cause side effects like:

Anyone who has a heart problem shouldn't take stimulants. And if you have psychosis, bipolar disorder, aggression, or seizures, these medications can make your symptoms worse. They also can cause blurred vision.

Other possible side effects of both Adderall and Vyvanse include:

More rarely, you might have a faster heart rate, heart palpitations, or tremors.

Sexual side effects of Adderall and Vyvanse

With Adderall, some men may have changes in erections, including trouble getting or maintaining them, more frequent erections, or erections that last longer than normal. Sexual side effects, including erection problems and reduced interest in sex, were reported by 2%-4% of adults getting Adderall XR in a clinical trial.

About 2% of men in Vyvanse studies reported erectile dysfunction. Just over 1% of all adults reported a reduced interest in sex.

The cost of any drug can vary widely based on the form and dosage. And pharmacies can have different prices for the drugs, too. Check with your insurance plan to see what's covered.

In general, generics can cost much less than brand names. In the past, Vyvanse was only available as a name-brand prescription drug, which often kept its price higher than alternative medicines, but it's now available in generic form as well.

Adderall and Adderall XR are available as generic medicines, which can help control their cost. In some cases, insurers might not pay for the brand name drugs because a generic version is available.

Drug shortages have at times affected the cost and availability of Adderall and other stimulant drugs in recent years.

Stimulants are considered controlled substances, which means they have the potential to be misused and to lead to substance use disorders, including addiction. Some states limit the supply you can buy at one time for that reason.

While it's possible to abuse or start to depend on any stimulant, that may be less likely with Adderall XR and Vyvanse because they're designed to release their active chemicals slowly.

That's especially true for Vyvanse because your body has to process the lysine before it gets to the stimulant part of the drug.

But you and your doctor or your child's doctor should discuss the full risks and benefits of various treatment choices before deciding what's best.

Studies comparing the drugs are limited. One analysis of 20 studies found that in adults, ADHD symptoms improved significantly with either lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), but the effects were somewhat stronger with Vyvanse.

It's best to talk with your doctor about the best medication choice for you or your child. For example, school-age children often need shorter-acting medicines so that they can get enough sleep and Vyvanse doesn't come in a short-acting form.

Another thing to consider if you are choosing between Vyvanse and Adderall, or other alternatives, is the way they might interact with other medicines you or your child take. You can find warnings about potential interactions on the patient information insert that comes with the drug.

Because Adderall, Adderall XR, and Vyvanse are all amphetamines, they interact with many other medicines in similar ways. Some of the drugs that might interact with Adderall, Adderall XR, and Vyvanse, requiring extra monitoring or medication changes, include:

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, stimulants that are used to treat depression and other conditions and should never be mixed or used within 14 days of other stimulants
  • Serotonergic drugs, commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Antihistamines
  • Certain seizure drugs, including phenobarbital and phenytoin
  • Blood pressure drugs

One difference: research suggests that proton pump inhibitors, used to treat heartburn, don't interfere with Vyvanse but do slow down the time it takes Adderall XR levels to rise in the blood.

Vyvanse, Adderall, and Adderall XR are all amphetamines that can be effective medications for the treatment of ADHD in children and adults. There are some differences in how they work and how long they stay in your system, so it's important to talk to your doctor about all your choices, including other medications for ADHD.

What type of ADHD is Vyvanse best for?

Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It was tested and found effective in people with all types of ADHD, including those with hyperactivity and impulsiveness alone, inattention alone, or combined symptoms.

What's the strongest ADHD medication?

Amphetamine medications like Adderall and Vyvanse can have a somewhat stronger effect on your brain chemicals than non-amphetamine stimulants like Ritalin and Concerta. But that doesn't necessarily make them better choices. You want a medication that gives you ideal levels of the brain chemicals that help you focus. Getting too much of a boost could make your symptoms worse. So choosing the right medicine at the right dose can be a matter of trial and error.

Do you lose more weight on Adderall or Vyvanse?

Amphetamines like Adderall and Vyvanse can reduce appetite and lead to weight loss. In children, they may slow growth. These drugs are not approved for weight loss, and the use of similar medications for that purpose has been linked with serious heart risks.