What is the difference between vyvanse and dexedrine

If someone has difficulty swallowing Adderall XR, they can open the capsule and sprinkle the beads on applesauce. A doctor may prescribe immediate-release Adderall to a preschool-aged child starting at a dose of 2. For this dose, people can split a 5 mg tablet in half. The starting dose of Adderall XR for children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years old is 10 mg once a day in the morning.

Doctors will start adults at a higher dose of 20 mg once daily. 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. 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. The following table lists the dosages of both forms of Vyvanse. 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. Some adults take Vyvanse for moderate to severe binge eating disorder.

Doctors can prescribe immediate-release Adderall in people over 6 years old to treat narcolepsy. Both Vyvanse and Adderall are stimulants of the central nervous system and are among the first choices of medications that doctors will prescribe for treating ADHD. The drugs differ in their length of action :. Sometimes, people who take Adderall XR need a short-acting amphetamine at the end of the effect to extend the control of their symptoms.

Since the body converts Vyvanse into dextroamphetamine, both Vyvanse and Adderall have the same drug interactions. As with other stimulants, people should avoid using certain types of antidepressants — namely monoamine oxidase inhibitors — with Vyvanse, Adderall, or Adderall XR. A person must stop taking these drugs 14 days before starting Vyvanse or Adderall XR.

For binge eating disorder , doctors can prescribe Vyvanse because researchers have demonstrated its efficacy through clinical studies. 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.

Some people have difficulty swallowing pills. Dosing and pricing vary. One difference between Vyvanse and Adderall is that Vyvanse is a prodrug, and converts to dextroamphetamine in the GI tract, which lowers the potential for abuse.

It depends. Everyone has different reactions to different medications. Your doctor can help you pick the drug that is right for you, based on your individual medical history and needs. For example, if cost is a determining factor, Adderall may be a better choice. And if you are worried about abuse, Vyvanse may be a better bet. Adderall and Vyvanse should both be avoided while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while already on this medication, consult your prescriber immediately for advice.

Both medications are very dangerous to mix with alcohol. Adderall: Too much alcohol can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can be even more dangerous in combination with Adderall. It can even lead to a heart attack or stroke and increase the risk of alcohol poisoning. Vyvanse: Alcohol can minimize some of the stimulant effects of Vyvanse, and Vyvanse can reduce some of the sedating effects of alcohol. As a result, the person may try to use more of one or both drugs and end up overdosing.

There are many other effects that can result from mixing alcohol with Vyvanse, such as: dramatic change in blood pressure, increased heart rate, chest pains, heart attack, stroke, risk of seizures, aggression, paranoia, confusion, hallucinations, and more. The side effects are very similar and may include: dry mouth, loss of appetite, insomnia, headache, weight loss, nausea, anxiety, agitation, dizziness, tachycardia, and diarrhea, among other side effects.

The additive effects can cause rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, or other side effects. It is also duplicate therapy and not necessary to use both. There are various applications for healthcare professionals to use to convert the dosing between medications, if necessary. Dosing conversions may not be exact, and it may take a little bit of trial and error when switching between these medications.

Remember, the most effective medication should only be determined by your doctor who will look at the whole picture of your medical condition s , health history, and other medications that could interact with Vyvanse or Adderall. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug.

Vyvanse vs. Adderall: Differences, similarities, and which one is better for you. By Karen Berger, Pharm. Want the best price on Adderall?

Want the best price on Vyvanse? Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Researchers still do not know exactly how amphetamine works. There are two active forms of the synthetic compound amphetamine: dextro d -amphetamine and levo l -amphetamine.

Of the two forms, d-amphetamine is considered the stronger of the pair. While the two forms of amphetamine differ in their makeup, both have proven effective for the treatment of ADHD since the s. Dexedrine contains the active ingredient d-amphetamine, while Adderall contains a mixture of immediate-release d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine. Extended-release formulas of Adderall, such as Adderall XR, generally contain equal measures of immediate-release and delayed-release d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine.

Dexedrine is also available in a sustained-release formula Dexedrine Spansule , containing time-release d-amphetamine. Currently, immediate-release types of Dexedrine and Adderall are both approved by the U. The extended-release types Dexedrine Spansule and Adderall XR are not approved for use in children under the age of 6.

Dexedrine Spansule is also not approved for use in individuals over the age of People should take Adderall and Dexedrine first thing in the morning and again in the early afternoon. Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule usually only need to be taken once a day, ideally as soon as someone wakes up. People should not take stimulant medication late in the afternoon or evening, as they can make it very difficult to sleep.

Adderall and Dexedrine both take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to show an effect and 3 hours to reach their highest levels in the blood. Both Adderall and Dexedrine have also been shown to be effective for around 4 to 6 hours depending on the dose. Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule also both take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to show an effect, but take between 7 and 8 hours to reach peak blood levels.

Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule can be effective for up to 11 to 12 hours depending on the dose. A doctor will typically prescribe people with ADHD the lowest dose possible to begin with, then increase the dosage as needed. According to the FDA guidelines, most doctors will initially prescribe 2. Those aged 6 and above should begin with 5 mg one or two times a day. This amount can be increased by 5 mg each week if required. It is rare that the dose should exceed a total of 40 mg in a single day.

Those aged 6 years and above can usually begin by taking 5 mg of Adderall once or twice daily, increasing the dosage by 5 mg each week as needed. Dexedrine and Adderall typically share the same side effects, warnings, and risks because they contain forms of the same drug. Adderall and Dexedrine can also cause more serious side effects, especially when misused. Without proper medical care, side effects associated with prescription stimulant use can become life-threatening.

People experiencing some of the more common, less severe side effects of Adderall and Dexedrine should talk with a doctor.