Key takeaways
- Both Vyvanse and Adderall, while sharing similar mechanisms in treating ADHD by increasing neurotransmitter levels, differ in their active ingredients and potential for misuse, with Vyvanse having a slower release and lower misuse potential.
- While both medications have demonstrated effectiveness in treating ADHD for both children and adults, individual responses vary.
- Both medications have similar side effects, including potential heart-related risks, but Adderall may present a higher risk of misuse, and cost considerations should factor into treatment decisions, as generic versions of Adderall are available, while there are none for Vyvanse.
Vyvanse comes as a capsule and chewable tablet. Adderall comes as an immediate-release (IR) tablet and extended-release (XR) capsule.
This article explains some ways Vyvanse and Adderall are alike and different. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of these and other treatment options based on your individual diagnosis and medical history.
Vyvanse and Adderall are available as generic drugs. A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.
If your doctor prescribes Vyvanse or Adderall and you’re interested in taking the generic version instead, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Vyvanse and Adderall are both prescribed to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. Vyvanse and Adderall have other uses as well.
The following table includes details on the conditions each drug treats.
| Use | Vyvanse | Adderall |
| ADHD in people 6 years of age and older | ✓ | ✓ |
| binge eating disorder (BED) in adults | ✓ | |
| narcolepsy in people 6 years of age and older | ✓ |
To learn more about using Vyvanse or Adderall to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Here’s an overview of Vyvanse and Adderall dosages for ADHD.
To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see the Vyvanse dosage article and Adderall dosage article.
Dosage for ADHD
| Vyvanse for ADHA | Adderall for ADHD | |
| Form | • oral capsule • chewable tablet | • IR tablets • ER capsules |
| Strength | • oral capsule: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg • chewable tablet: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg | • IR tablets: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg • XR capsules: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg |
| Stating dose | • oral capsule: 30 mg oncer per day • chewable tablet: 30 mg oncer per day | • IR tablets: 5 mg once to twice per day • XR capsules: 20 mg once per day |
| Maximum dose | • oral capsule: 70 mg once daily • chewable tablet: 70 mg oncer per day | • IR tablets: varies by age and other factors • XR capsules: varies by age and other factors |
Because Adderall and Vyvanse are both stimulants, they share similar side effects. A few common side effects include:
Less common side effects of both drugs include:
- hallucinations, which means seeing or hearing something that is not there
- increased heart rate
- high blood pressure
- mania, which refers to a period of intense energy
- paranoia, which is feeling as though someone is out to get you
- shortness of breath
In rare cases, both of these drugs can increase the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure and increased heart rate, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Before starting Vyvanse or Adderall, get a heart checkup and tell your doctor about any history of high blood pressure or heart problems.
Allergic reactionFor some people, Vyvanse and Adderall can cause an allergic reaction.
But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies for Vyvanse or Adderall.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Vyvanse or Adderall.If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vyvanse or Adderall, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Vyvanse and Adderall are both approved to treat ADHD in people ages 6 years and older. Studies of Vyvanse and Adderall have shown that both drugs are effective for this use.
Both drugs are included in the group of drugs used as first-line treatments for ADHD in children to help them focus their attention.
It’s important to note that your results from Vyvanse or Adderall may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you. If you’d like to read more about how each drug performed in studies, see the prescribing information for Vyvanse and Adderall.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs.
For more details about the cost of these drugs, see the Vyvanse cost article and Adderall cost article.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Vyvanse and Adderall are both brand-name drugs. These drugs also have generic forms. You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than generics. If you’re interested in using the generic form of either drug, talk with your doctor.
Vyvanse and Adderall may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The prescribing information for these drugs refers to these factors as warnings.
The drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned here. Before you start using Vyvanse or Adderall, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and addiction
These drugs have a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Vyvanse and Adderall have a boxed warning for risk of misuse and addiction.
Risk of misuse and addiction: There is a risk of misuse and addiction with Vyvanse and Adderall. Misuse refers to taking a drug in a manner other than how the doctor prescribed it. This can include taking the drug more often or at higher doses than your doctor recommends. Misuse of Vyvanse or Adderall can cause serious side effects, such as heart attack, high blood pressure, mental health changes (psychosis, mania, suicidal thoughts), and overdose. In some cases, it could even lead to sudden death. It’s important to follow your doctor’s guidance when taking Vyvanse or Adderall.
Misusing Vyvanse or Adderall may lead to addiction, which means taking a drug even if it’s causing harm.
If you have questions about the boxed warning for Vyvanse or Adderall, talk with your doctor.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
You may be able to switch between Vyvanse and Adderall with your doctor’s approval. However, you should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
If you taking one drug and interested in switching to the other, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the right medication to manage your condition.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.