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Generic or biosimilar versions
Below is information about whether Adderall or Vyvanse is available in a generic version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Here’s a summary of the generics of Adderall and Vyvanse:
If your doctor prescribed Adderall or Vyvanse, but you’d like to know about taking its generic version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic version is right for you.
Questions about Adderall and Vyvanse
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about Adderall and Vyvanse.
Is it safe to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse?
Yes, it’s safe to switch from Adderall or Adderall XR to Vyvanse if your doctor recommends that it’s safe for you. And if Adderall is safe for you to take, your doctor may recommend switching from Vyvanse to Adderall.
If you’re taking Adderall or Vyvanse and interested in switching to the other drug, talk with your doctor. If your doctor agrees this switch is safe for you, they’ll recommend the best way to switch your treatment. They may adjust your dose over the first few weeks of treatment with the new drug until they find the best dosage for you.
Between Adderall and Vyvanse, is one a better treatment for ADHD?
Doctors may prescribe either Adderall or Vyvanse to treat ADHD. In studies, Adderall and Vyvanse were both effective for this purpose.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they come in different forms.* If you have trouble swallowing pills, Vyvanse is available as a chewable tablet. But Adderall does not come as a chewable tablet. It comes as an oral tablet. Adderall XR comes as a capsule that can be swallowed or opened and sprinkled onto applesauce if you have trouble swallowing capsules.
Adderall is typically taken one to three times per day. In comparison, Adderall XR and Vyvanse are taken once per day.
Keep in mind that your results from taking Adderall or Vyvanse may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
* For more details about the forms of Adderall and Vyvanse, see the “Dosage and administration of Adderall and Vyvanse” section below.
Dosage of Adderall and Vyvanse
Below is dosage information for the condition that both Adderall and Vyvanse are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that Adderall and Vyvanse treat, see these articles about Adderall and Vyvanse dosage.
The following dosages are provided by the drugmakers of Adderall and Vyvanse. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Adderall’s dosage
Below is a summary of Adderall’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
* With extended release, the drug is released slowly in your body over time.
† Adderall XR capsule can also be opened and sprinkled onto applesauce if you have trouble swallowing capsules.
Vyvanse’s dosage
Below is a summary of Vyvanse’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in mg.
Uses of Adderall and Vyvanse
Here’s a summary of Adderall’s and Vyvanse’s approved uses:
* Adderall XR is not FDA-approved for treating narcolepsy. Only Adderall is approved for this use. However, a doctor may prescribe Adderall XR off-label for this use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether Adderall or Vyvanse is an option to consider.
It’s important to note that doctors won’t prescribe Vyvanse to treat ADHD in children under age 6 years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the drug for use in this age range.
Doctors also won’t prescribe Vyvanse for weight loss. Vyvanse and Adderall are not approved for this use.
Side effects of Adderall and Vyvanse
Adderall and Vyvanse may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of Adderall and Vyvanse are also listed. (The side effects listed for Adderall below also apply to Adderall XR.)
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find out more, you can view the prescribing information for Adderall, Adderall XR, and Vyvanse. You can also check out these articles about Adderall side effects and Vyvanse side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with Adderall and Vyvanse:
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with Adderall and Vyvanse:
* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for Adderall and Vyvanse” section below.
With Adderall or Vyvanse, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from Adderall or Vyvanse, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
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.
Warnings for Adderall and Vyvanse
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take Adderall or Vyvanse, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for Adderall and Vyvanse are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Boxed warning for Adderall and Vyvanse: Risk of misuse and addiction
Adderall and Vyvanse have a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and addiction. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Adderall and Vyvanse are stimulants with a high potential for misuse and addiction. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, you continue taking a drug despite the fact it’s causing harm.
Because of these risks, Adderall and Vyvanse are both controlled substances in the United States. There are strict rules and regulations put in place by the government for how doctors prescribe Adderall and Vyvanse, and how pharmacies dispense these medications. These rules are in place to help prevent misuse and addiction.
Before prescribing Adderall or Vyvanse, your doctor will likely ask whether you currently have or have experienced a substance use disorder in the past, such as opioid use disorder.
If you have concerns about misuse or addiction, tell your doctor. They can review and discuss ways to lower your risk of misuse or addiction. They can also discuss treatments for your condition that may not have these risks.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other warnings
In addition to the boxed warnings above, Adderall and Vyvanse have other warnings. These are summarized in the table below:
* Adderall and Vyvanse have a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and addiction. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. For more information, see “Boxed warning for Adderall and Vyvanse: Risk of misuse and addiction” above.
You can view detailed articles about Adderall and Vyvanse if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for Adderall, Adderall XR, and Vyvanse.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether Adderall or Vyvanse is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- If I’m a good candidate for both drugs, are there reasons why one would be prescribed over the other?
- If I have side effects from Vyvanse or Adderall, am I likely to have the same side effects if I switch to the other drug?
- Will Adderall or Vyvanse interact with any other medication I’m taking?
- If I was previously prescribed Adderall or Vyvanse and it didn’t work for my ADHD symptoms, will you prescribe treatment with the other drug?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
