Adderall vs. Vyvanse Comparison: Similarities & Differences

May 29, 201512 min read

With the increasing number of ADHD diagnoses, many individuals are turning to pharmaceutical psychostimulant medications as a means to alleviate symptoms. Historically, one of the most popular and effective treatment options for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is Adderall, a medication comprised of 75% dextroamphetamine salts and 25% levoamphetamine salts. Adderall’s popularity hasn’t waned much over the years, making it perhaps the top option for those seeking pharmaceutical relief from their attentional deficits.

However, there’s a new flashy drug on the block known as Vyvanse. While many people consider Vyvanse similar to Adderall, some individuals are bound to have preferences to one psychostimulant over the other. Some may favor the smoother “prodrug” induced release of Vyvanse, while others may find Adderall is a better fit for their biochemistry.

Adderall vs. Vyvanse Comparison Chart

Below is a chart comparing Adderall with Vyvanse to give you some general specifications of each drug. Understand that both of these medications are manufactured by the same company, and many speculate that Vyvanse was released as an “upgrade” to Adderall due to the fact that Adderall XR’s patent expired in 2009.

	Adderall	Vyvanse
Drug type	Psychostimulant	Psychostimulant
Approved uses	ADHD. Narcolepsy.	ADHD. Narcolepsy. Binge Eating Disorder.
Ingredients	Mixed Amphetamine Salts (~75% Dextroamphetamine & ~25% Levoamphetamine)	Lisdexamfetamine
Formats	IR (Immediate release) & XR (Extended release)	Capsules (Extended release)
Dosages	IR: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg XR: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg	30 mg, 50 mg, 70 mg
Manufacturer	Shire Pharmaceuticals	Shire Pharmaceuticals
Legal status	Schedule II (US)	Schedule II (US)
Mechanism of action	Functions by increasing levels and inhibiting reuptake of stimulatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Acts as a TAAR1 agonist and VMAT2 inhibitor.	As an inactive prodrug it is broken down in the body by enzymes to dextroamphetamine and l-lysine. The dextroamphetamine component functions as a TAAR1 agonist and VMAT2 inhibitor to release dopamine along with norepinephrine from storage sites. It also inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine to increase extracellular concentrations and signaling.
Generic version (?)	Yes.	No.
Half-Life	11 to 13 hours	10 to 13 hours
Common side effects	Abdominal pain. Appetite loss. Diarrhea. Dizziness. Dry Mouth. Fever. Headache. Insomnia. Irritability. Nausea. Nervousness. Vomiting. Weight loss.	Abdominal pain. Appetite loss. Dizziness. Dry mouth. Headache. Insomnia. Irritability. Nausea. Nervousness. Sweating. Weight loss.
Duration of effect	IR: 4 to 6 hours XR: ~12 hours	10 to 12 hours
Investigational uses	Stroke rehabilitation. Treatment-resistant depression (Read:Adderall for depression).	Excessive daytime sleepiness. Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Treatment-resistant depression.
Date approved	1996	2007 (February)

Adderall vs. Vyvanse: What’s the difference?

As you can see by the chart above, these are pretty similar drugs. The only substantial difference is that Vyvanse is a prodrug metabolized into dextroamphetamine and the essential amino acid l-lysine. Adderall contains 75% dextroamphetamine with 25% levoamphetamine, making it different than Vyvanse.

The onset of action is thought to be slightly longer for Vyvanse compared to Adderall, but the release tends to be smoother – decreasing the likelihood of a “crash.” Many people report experiencing an “Adderall crash” as soon as the drug wears off, but these crashes are less commonly reported among Vyvanse users due to the efficiency of its release.

Medical uses

Despite the fact that both drugs are both approved for the treatment of ADHD, they differ in other medical uses. Adderall was originally approved in 1996 for the treatment of ADHD, but was since approved for narcolepsy. Those with narcolepsy are prone to bouts of excessive daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. For this condition, Adderall was considered an effective intervention to decrease sleepiness.

Vyvanse has not been tested for the treatment of narcolepsy, but it was approved for binge eating disorder, a condition that Adderall is not approved to treat. That said, both substances are associated with weight loss. In fact, many people use Adderall for weight loss on an off-label basis. Many people have used Vyvanse for weight loss as well, particularly those with binge eating disorder.

Efficacy

Everyone wants to know whether Adderall is more effective than Vyvanse or vice-versa. Many studies have analyzed the degree to which these medications alleviate symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. They have both gone through extensive FDA testing and were found significantly more effective than a placebo in randomized, double-blind studies.

Additionally, both options are considered relatively safe, without any significant long-term side effects such as cognitive impairment. They are both well-tolerated and both work extremely well for their intended conditions.

Format & Dosage

Those taking Adderall have the option of using IR (immediate-release) versions or XR (extended-release) versions. The immediate release version tends to last for several hours and is fast-acting. The extended-release version can last up to 12 full hours. By comparison, Vyvanse does not have multiple variations of release – it is solely an extended release capsule.

The immediate-release (IR) form of Adderall is often taken several times per day (2-3) at intervals of 4 to 6 hours. The extended-release (XR) form of Adderall is generally only taken once per day. Similarly, Vyvanse is only taken once per day due to the fact that its effect may last up to 14 hours. Adderall is typically taken within the range of 5 mg to 30 mg per day, whereas Vyvanse dosing ranges between 30 mg and 70 mg per day.

Abuse potential

While both drugs are considered “Schedule II” in that they have potential for abuse and prolonged use may result in dependence. Some would argue that Adderall has greater potential for abuse due to the fact that it produces an immediate effect, whereas there’s often a slight delay of effect associated with Vyvanse. Additionally, many people snort Adderall (insufflation) for a greater “high” or effect.

Since Vyvanse is a prodrug, it must be taken orally and metabolized by enzymes to elicit an effect. The release of Vyvanse spans over a greater duration as well, leading many people to feel a smoother effect on lower doses, possibly making it a drug less susceptible to abuse. That said, Vyvanse is metabolized into 100% dextroamphetamine, whereas Adderall is only 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine; it could be argued that the presence of levoamphetamine may make Adderall less addictive.

Popularity

Although Adderall is the clear heavyweight champion when it comes to number of prescriptions and sales, Vyvanse is trending upwards. As of 2013, it was estimated that Adderall held approximately 38% of the market share for ADHD prescriptions whereas Vyvanse held 16%. Additionally Adderall has also been prescribed for narcolepsy and is an established medication with a variety of other off-label uses.

Therefore most professionals may prefer to go with the tried-and-true Adderall over Vyvanse in regards to off-label treatment. That said, many professionals like the fact that Vyvanse is a prodrug, reducing its potential for abuse. With Vyvanse’s recent approval for the treatment of binge eating disorder, expect it to become even more popular in forthcoming years.

Side Effects

The side effect profiles of Adderall and Vyvanse are extremely similar. Both are psychostimulants that increase concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. There are subtle differences in mechanism of action as well as ingredients, which may account for subtle differences in reported side effects. Common side effects of both medications include: abdominal pain, anxiety, appetite loss, insomnia, irritability, muscle tension, nausea, nervousness.

Both medications may result in weight loss due to increases in metabolism, appetite loss, and increased physiological energy. It was also found that both Adderall and Vyvanse can temporarily reduce height (i.e. stunt growth).

Cost

If you’re looking to purchase the “brand name” version of Adderall or Vyvanse, you’re going to spend between $200 and $300 for a 30 day supply. Although Adderall is an older medication, if you buy the brand name version, it is actually more expensive than Vyvanse at an estimated $300 for a 30 day supply. Vyvanse costs just under $250 at most pharmacies for a 30 day supply.

Fortunately generic versions of Adderall are available to help save you money. These generic versions are available at a fraction of the cost of the brand name versions. If you don’t mind generic Adderall, you can purchase a 30 day supply for approximately $50. For cost alone, many people prefer using generic Adderall (amphetamine salt combo).

Withdrawal

Both drugs carry severe discontinuation symptoms. It is difficult to determine whether Adderall is more difficult to discontinue than Vyvanse or vice-versa. Those knowledgeable about the effects of the drugs know that over time, they may use up dopamine stores, leading to low dopamine upon withdrawal. If used at high doses over a prolonged period of time, both medications are difficult to discontinue.

There are many anecdotal reports that you can check out regarding Adderall withdrawal and Vyvanse withdrawal. The loss of dopamine stores and downregulation of receptors from using these medications can lead to reductions in pleasure and ability to focus. Upon withdrawal, a person may experience a temporary increase in ADHD symptoms until dopamine levels increase and receptors are replenished.

Differences (Recap): Adderall vs. Vyvanse

Below is a recap of the differences between Adderall and Vyvanse.

Abuse potential: Both drugs are thought to carry potential for abuse and dependence. That said, Vyvanse was designed to have lower potential for abuse due to the fact that it is a prodrug. Meaning it is inactive until metabolized by enzymes in the body. Adderall may therefore have a greater potential for abuse due to other modalities of ingestion (e.g. insufflation).
Cost: There are differences in costs of Adderall and Vyvanse. Brand name Adderall is actually more expensive than brand name Vyvanse. However, generic Adderall is available at a faction of the cost (approximately $50) for a 30 day supply.
“Crash”: The fact that Vyvanse is a prodrug, it is thought to have a smoother absorption. This smoother absorption is less likely to result in a mental crash when the drug’s effect wears off. Adderall doesn’t have such a smooth release, and is very likely to result in a mental crash when it wears off.
Duration of effect: There are slight differences in the duration of efficacy for each dose. Vyvanse capsules tend to elicit an effect for up to 14 hours, whereas Adderall XR only lasts up to 12 hours. The immediate release version of Adderall lasts between 4 and 6 hours.
Ingredients: Vyvanse is comprised of lisdexamfetamine, whereas Adderall is a blending of amphetamine mixed salts – specifically 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine. During the metabolizing process of Vyvanse, the lisdexamfetamine is broken down into dextroamphetamine and l-lysine. Vyvanse doesn’t contain any levoamphetamine like Adderall.
Modalities of ingestion: While both Adderall and Vyvanse are medically approved to be taken orally, many people resort to insufflation of Adderall. Insufflation cannot be done with Vyvanse due to the fact that it is a prodrug.
Mechanism of action: While the mechanisms of action are similar, they differ in that Vyvanse must be metabolized and converted into dextroamphetamine (and l-lysine) before it produces an effect. Adderall elicits an immediate effect with dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine.
Medical uses: Both medications were first approved to treat ADHD, but they differ in secondary FDA approvals. Adderall is approved to treat narcolepsy, whereas Vyvanse is approved to treat binge eating disorder.
Onset of effect: Vyvanse takes 1-2 hours to “kick-in” whereas Adderall produces immediate changes in neurotransmission. This means Vyvanse users can take the drug, not feel anything for awhile, then wait for the change in alertness 1-2 hours later.
Popularity: When it comes to ADHD med popularity, Adderall is the heavyweight champion. It has the majority of the market share. That said, more people (and doctors) are prescribing Vyvanse for its improved absorption, smoother release, and reduced abuse potential.

Similarities (Recap): Adderall vs. Vyvanse

Below is a recap of similarities between Adderall and Vyvanse.

ADHD: Both medications are primarily prescribed for the treatment of ADHD. Both are approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and are considered first-line effective options.
Classification: Both are considered “Schedule II” controlled-substances in the United States. This signifies that they have potential for abuse and possible psychological and/or physical dependence.
Efficacy: Both are highly effective drugs for their intended conditions when compared to a placebo. Subtle variations in efficacy may be apparent depending on the individual, but from a universal perspective, they are considered equally effective.
Interactions: Both Adderall and Vyvanse interact with similar drugs and chemicals. Examples of contraindications for both include: MAOIs, acidifying agents, and alkalizing agents. There may be subtle differences in other contraindications, so talk to a medical professional for more information.
Psychostimulant: Both drugs are considered psychostimulants in that they increase physiological arousal.
Manufacturer: Both drugs are manufactured by Shire Pharmaceuticals.
Neurotransmission: Both drugs function as psychostimulants, increasing extracellular concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine. This leads to greater levels of mental energy, physiological arousal, and enhanced cognition.
Side effects: The side effects of both Adderall and Vyvanse are nearly identical. Examples of common side effects associated with both drugs include: irritability, insomnia, appetite loss, abdominal pain, and nervousness.
Withdrawal: Both drugs carry severe withdrawal symptoms, especially when used for an extended period of time at high doses.

My personal experience using Adderall vs. Vyvanse

I first used Adderall several years ago as an adjunct strategy to control my depression. It was prescribed by a psychiatrist due to the fact that other treatment options had failed. Over time, we noticed that using Adderall for anxiety worked better than any anxiolytic I was taking. However, I knew that the drug was habit-forming and not the best long-term treatment option, so I discontinued using it.

I recognize the appeal of using Adderall to enhance mental performance, increase sociability, and facilitate a state of peak performance. My psychiatrist eventually convinced me to test out the drug Vyvanse at the lowest dose of 30 mg. I ended up using Vyvanse for several months and noticed that it was much smoother than Adderall. In fact from a cognitive enhancement perspective, I found Vyvanse to be superior to Adderall.

I believe that the smooth release of Vyvanse leads to less jittery feelings and less of a mental crash. These days I’m more into taking Adderall alternatives whenever possible due to the fact that both drugs downregulate dopamine receptors and deplete dopamine stores; this leads to tolerance, dependence, etc. I found that both drugs improved my sociability, whereas Adderall resulted in slightly more “euphoria” by comparison.

Both drugs elevated my mood, and sped up my thinking. The major problem I had with Vyvanse is that the lowest dose was 30 mg. While 30 mg of Vyvanse is equivalent to a very low dose of Adderall (5 mg) – I still would’ve preferred access to a lower option. I’m a huge advocate for taking the minimal effective dose. Though the capsules can be opened and poured into a drink or food (e.g. yogurt), it’s difficult to know the exact amount you’re pouring.

Adderall IR can easily be split with a pill cutter and even the beads can be counted in the XR version. The Vyvanse “powder” is just difficult to measure. Overall, I’d say I had a better experience focusing while taking Vyvanse, whereas Adderall made me want to socialize more.

Adderall vs. Vyvanse: Which drug is better for ADHD?

While many people are investigating whether Adderall is better than Vyvanse or vice versa, it’s important to note that neither is a “better” drug. Vyvanse is newer and the fact that it has a smoother absorption is great, but it has its cons (e.g. 30 mg is the lowest dose). If you have ADHD, it is important to work with a competent medical professional to determine whether Adderall is better suited for you or Vyvanse works better.

Both are effective options for the treatment of attentional deficits. Understand that one person may find Adderall works better for them and another may find that Vyvanse works much better than Adderall. There is a lot of individual variation responsible for dictating how each person responds to these medications. Finding the optimal drug is often a matter of trial and error.

Which drug do you prefer: Adderall or Vyvanse?

If you have personal experience taking both medications, feel free to share which drug you prefer. Elaborate regarding “why” you prefer a certain drug (Adderall or Vyvanse) over the other. You may even prefer one drug over the other for specific purposes such as: Adderall works better for reducing hyperactivity and Vyvanse works better for increasing attention.

Reader discussion (21)

Previously published reader comments are preserved below. New comments are not currently being accepted.

TracyFebruary 18, 2016
Vyvanse does come in lower doses, including 10mg, 20mg, etc.
JimMarch 27, 2016
Thank you for a very informative and well-written article. I am currently dealing with the withdrawal effects of Adderall and this article definitely improved my understanding of the process. I would suggest one correction, though: counting the beads in Adderall XR wouldn't help much for decreasing the dose as there are two different types of beads in the capsules. The beads dissolve at two different rates and there is no way to tell them apart. In effect, you would have no idea what dose you are receiving, other than as a range between the original dose and half that. Thanks!
Stacy GrahamApril 12, 2016
I was taking 30 mg of Adderall 3-times a day, but I just got switched to Vyvanse and I was surprised to see a big difference between them.
ChristinaMay 23, 2016
So which do you prefer?
Robin GladstoneMay 10, 2016
Very informative--the comparison chart is particularly helpful. Thank you!
ElizabethMay 31, 2016
I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD and prescribed 30mg of Vyvanse (with a coupon so my first month was free). At first I didn't like how it made me feel, but after a few days I adjusted and it helped with my overall mood, social interactions, energy, and anxiety (particularly during my PMDD which is basically bad PMS). I went to my doctor today for a follow up and he gave me another prescription for it, and it turns out my insurance doesn't cover any of the $250 cost until I meet my deductible. Since I've never been on any regular medication in my almost 40 years, this seems like a lot to pay each month! I have called my doctor to see if he can prescribe Adderall instead (he had offered during our appointment) and I'll see how it compares. This article was extremely helpful, so thank you!
NateJuly 6, 2016
Great article! I've taken all forms of adderall over the past 4 years. The IR left me feeling coked out, and the XR caused major crashes as well as withdrawal. I've been taking 20mg of vyvanse on and off for 2 years. I have PTSD with symptoms of anxiety and sporadic depression. Vyvanse has helped with the symptoms as well as taking the edge off my ADHD. Adderall can be prescribed in 5mg pills which allows for you to adjust your dosage depending on the day. Vyvanse only seems to be available in 20mg pills, making it impossible to take less than the daily dosage. It really depends on personal preference. One very important point this article did not address is the renewed effectiveness of both drugs after a medication vacation, which is vital if you do not wish to increase dosage. I found that taking only a day or two vacation from vyvanse was much more effective than adderall. I needed at least a 4 day vacation to see improved efficiency on adderall. Stimulants are wonderful, but they require constant monitoring by yourself and your doctor. The lowest effective dosage will reduce the risk dependency and abuse. I hope my anecdote was helpful.
BridgetOctober 13, 2016
I was taking fourth mg. of Adderall and now I take the same dose of Vyvanse. I still feel the effects just as good only better, cause the Vyvanse lasts all day versus the Adderall.
KateJuly 11, 2016
I'm currently taking Vyvanse 30 mg 2x day with 50mg Pristiq and 450mg Wellbutrin for treatment-resistant MDD. The Pristiq and Wellbutrin helped with the worst of my depressive symptoms, but I was left with extreme exhaustion and difficulty connecting thoughts, words, etc. hence the Vyvanse. I did NOT find that Vyvanse lasted long. It took about 30 min to kick in, and then would last about 4 hours before wearing down over about an hour, with a noticeable brain-crash afterward. I did have more energy, was able to get out of bed, reduced my caffeine & nicotine, and was able to think. It also helped suppress cravings, which given that I have an eating disorder, was a very good side effect for a variety of reasons. I did not experience any weight loss or increase in metabolism. Biggest con - coming down was awful. I could feel my brain just start to shut down. Now I have to time the second dose, but in order to prolong the ability to think, I let the first dose start to come down before taking my second, but I can't take my second too late or it worsens my anxiety and insomnia. I'm going to ask my p-doc if I can try Adderall since it is available as an XR. Taking a midday pill is not at all easy to do for me, and like I stated, the timing is hard to figure as it varies each day, no matter when I take the Vyvanse. I'm a little worried about if Adderall will exasperate my evening anxiety or make me jittery, and if it will cause cravings instead of suppress them. When I have cravings, I overeat, when I overeat, my eating disorder goes into high gear,and then the whole delicate psychological wheel goes off kilter. Great comparison - just keep in mind that most people do not find that Vyvanse lasts all day with a single dose.
j reyesSeptember 13, 2016
I have been on the adderall for quite a long time and the jittery feelings and nervousness are awful. I just got switched to vyvanse and am really hoping it makes a better difference. I have the adult add, long term depression, and anxiety. My doc said that the vyvanse is usually only given once a day but he can always adjust my dosage. My issue is that I need my concentration longer than 10 hours a day. I need to still be with it and together once I am at home with my children in the evenings and not wanting to fall asleep at 8:00. Best of luck to you!
RachelSeptember 12, 2016
I just started vyvanse 30mg Thursday. I took it as prescribed when I got it at 7pm because I knew I had a long night of fulfilling orders ahead of me. Well, I was exhausted and asleep by 2am. I woke up with a ridiculous headache that persisted all day. I have continued to take it about 30-60min after I wake up and at least get breakfast in. I don't feel as if it has helped with my binge eating and I have a headache every day. I also feel more spacey and disconnected in my thoughts as well as crabbier. I have taken adder all before and I didn't feel this way at all. I don't feel the "smooth transition" with vyvanse. Should I give it a week of adjustment and getting good sleep before asking my doc for adderall instead?
BethSeptember 30, 2016
Yes. The best thing to do with vyvanse is give it an adjustment period. One to two weeks of everyday use should alleviate most of those nasty side effects your going through. Try that out. It worked for me. Good luck.
KeithNovember 5, 2016
I agree. I noticed at first I experience headaches but after sticking with my dose at the same time for a couple weeks I stopped having negative side effects. I recommend getting tested with GeneSight. They test your bodies reactions to various medication. The test is done via cheek swab.
BrettMarch 10, 2017
For anyone starting Vyvanse, keep in mind that there is an adjustment period that lasts from 4 to 7 days. During this time, you may think that the side effects (insomnia, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite) outweigh the benefits and you may want to stop taking Vyvanse. But I assure you that these negative side effects will go away and after two weeks, you are likely to find that Vyvanse is the miracle drug you were looking for all along. Having been on Ritalin and more recently, Adderall, when my doctor switched me to Vyvanse I HATED it. The first two days were awful. No sleep. Bad headaches. No euphoria whatsoever. I begged my doctor to put me back on Adderall. Doc insisted I stick with Vyvanse for 7 days and then come see him. Day 1 On Vyvanse - Nauseous all day. A bad headache. NO SLEEP AT ALL. Day 2 On Vyvanse - Nauseous all day. A bad headache. NO SLEEP AT ALL. Day 3 On Vyvanse - Not quite as nauseous. A mild headache. 2 hours sleep. Day 4 On Vyvanse - Not nauseous, but no appetite. A mild headache. 2 hours sleep. Day 5 On Vyvanse - Not nauseous, but no appetite. NO HEADACHE (Finally!!). 5 hours sleep. Day 7 On Vyvanse - Not nauseous, reduced appetite for the first 5 hours after taking Vyvanse. No headache. 5-6 hours sleep. 1 Month on Vyvanse - Normal appetite, albeit slightly less than before taking Vyvanse. No headache. Normal sleep. Now (6 months on Vyvanse) - Normal appetite. No headache. Normal sleep. NOTES: 1. By day 4, I'd only had 4 hours sleep TOTAL in 4 days. Normally this would be a disaster, but the Vyvanse made me feel kind of normal and I was able to function at work with no problems. 2. This commentary is about the side effects. But the alertness and ADD control benefits of Vyvanse, for me, were far better than Ritalin and slightly better than Adderall. 3. Adderall offers a slightly more euphoric feeling. Vyvanse makes me a better and more organized worker. 4. Adderall acts fast and the crash is evident. Adderall made me feel great when on it and slightly depressed at night after the effects wore off. Vyvanse has practically no crash and the anti-depressive benefits are felt 24/7. 5. I take the Vyvanse at 6:00 am. By 7:00 pm, I am starting to get tired, but it's a normal tiredness. Not a crash.
AishaOctober 29, 2016
I've taken both Adderall and Vyvanse; I must say I prefer the Adderall. The Vyvanse caused me to have a terrible headache and it just felt like it would never wear off. The Adderall doesn't make my migraines worse thank goodness and at night I am able to sleep instead of feeling hyper focused.
KeithNovember 5, 2016
In my personal experience Vyvanse is a safer than Adderall. Adderall is a drug abused to get a euphoric feeling while still having the focus one needs through out the day. Therefore, with feeling euphoric there is a come down. Adderall made me feel 'high.' I had a come down. I didn't feel right at the end of my day and couldn't sleep. Vyvanse does actually come in 10mg increment doses starting at 10mg. I currently take 20 mg and started at 10mg one year ago. There is no harsh come down. Vyvanse has helped me get my life in schedule with motivation to wake up earlier. Understand the effects last 14 hours and in those 14 hours takes about two hours to kick in. You'll notice you feel a bit tired through out the day but that is most likely due to not eating or being hydrated. Avoid Vitamin C. Eat healthy proteins and veggies.
LindaNovember 23, 2016
I was taking vyvanse and Wellbutrin at one time. After realizing I was dealing with more anxiety the doctor discontinued the Wellbutrin. She said the combination of the two causes more anxiety. A little over a year ago I started taking adderall and it seemed to work fine at first. They switched me to the XR and at first I realized that if I took the second dosage after 4 pm I would be awake all night. That gradually changed and now if I take it after 4 it does not have the same effect. I asked my doctor to go back to the vyvanse and instantly felt better. I think everyone is going to have a different experience. Some can take it and have great results others can't. You and your doctor have to figure out what works for you. But one thing I have realized is that is if you do not receive the proper amount of sleep it doesn't matter what you are taking. You still feel tired and it is hard to concentrate.
Tony Barreto-NetoDecember 5, 2016
Until August of this year, 2016, I took Adderall XR for about 11 years, then moved to England with my British wife. They do not have Adderall here at all & to get it shipped in would be more than £1000. My doc is trying me on generic Ritalin. It only makes me very short tempered. He said he would give me Vyvanse & I'm hoping this will do the job. This is why I came to this site! Hopefully it's similar enough that it lasts will work if I can find right dose. I wanted to thank you for this info. It seems like if there is no other differences they should really work the same after the initial delay for Vyvanse. I really hope so! Again thanks for info. The only thing I need to find out is if 15mg 2x's/day will be about 90mg 2/day if 5mg Adderall XR 5mg = 15 mg Vyvanse!
DougFebruary 5, 2017
I was on Vyvanse (30mg) for several years, but my insurance company dropped it, so I switched to Adderall XR (30mg) about 6 months ago. While they are similar, I feel less focused and more irritable on the Adderall. I am meeting my doctor to talk about switching back (fling and appeal with he insurance carrier) to make sure it's not my imagination, but the difference for me seems pretty significant. In contrast, my daughter also took Vyvanse (family trait, I guess), but it gave her chronic headaches, so she prefers the Adderall XR.
LaurenMarch 10, 2017
I've had experience with both drugs over the past several years, and as it stands now I can say with confidence that, for me at least, Vyvanse has been vastly more beneficial and less detrimental to my overall mental health. I was started on Vyvanse about 8 and a half years ago, when I first started high school. It worked better for me than any other ADD medicine I'd tried up to that point (i.e. Concerta and Strattera through middle school). When I took it, the difference it made was obvious and immediate. It didn't Completely fix my attention/motivation problems... I still got somewhat poor grades in school, but the important thing was that I could actually handle being in school at all. Without effective medication, I had very poor impulse control and no will or energy to do anything even remotely productive. I often got in trouble for acting out in class, and it was all I could do just to stay awake because I couldn't focus on anything, so everything was unbearably boring until I got home and could do the things I wanted. Starting Vyvanse didn't make me an honor student, but it made school as a whole so much easier and more bearable. It gave me the ability to control my impulses, organize my thoughts, and actively engage in the lessons because I could actually focus on things without feeling mentally overloaded. Even better, it gave me motivation to begin creative pursuits such as drawing and writing in my free time, as opposed to sitting at home watching TV or playing video games all day. It let me join my school marching band, which was so much fun and left me so many great memories, and was something I wouldn't possibly have been able to do without my medication. That's not to say it was perfect, though. We did have to up my dosage gradually, from 30mg when I started to 70mg in the end. I'd have low points where it would feel like the drug stopped working, and I'd just kind of feel numb and blank and kinda irritable for awhile, but that would usually go away over 2 or 3 hours, and I'd be adequately calm and relaxed just in time for bed. On occasion I would pull an all-nighter if I was working on something that I was impatient to get done, but it would be from my decision, not from insomnia that was forced on me. Then my parents switched me from a pediatrician to an adult doctor. I graduated high school. And, after a few unproductive college semesters followed by mounting financial debt, I started working retail. About one and a half years ago, my new doctor suggested switching to a different ADD medication to see if it would work better for me than the Vyvanse. I agreed, thinking it couldn't hurt too much, and I was started on 30mg of Adderall XR. At first everything was decent, but in those short one and a half years, my mental health declined Sharply. It barely lasts me a 6-hour work shift anymore, if that, and there's no return to the normal point after I crash like there was with the Vyvanse, just... more numbness until I take my dose for the next day. About three months ago my doctor prescribed one 15mg IR tablet to take daily in addition to the 30mg XR, but that just made things even worse for me. The tablets don't last long enough to get me through work, even with the XR capsule beforehand. I find myself taking two, sometimes three, over the course of the day just so I can actually do things I want to do when I get home from work, and to attempt to delay the crash that I know is coming. I get so irritable in my low points now that I have snapped at complete strangers for the most inane reasons and ruined several friendships because I'm constantly angry, because everything makes me feel so utterly horrible for no reason and I have no ability to get any pleasure out of anything. I can lose 2 to 4 entire nights of sleep in a row because I need to take my medicine almost every day for work, but at night the crash is so bad that I just lie in bed for 7 to 8 hours, relentlessly assaulted by intrusive thoughts and feelings of profound existential dread that make it literally impossible for me to get any sleep. I have an appointment soon, and I'm really hoping I can convince my doctor to let me switch back to Vyvanse. I know it won't make all my problems go away immediately, but if I continue on Adderall for much longer, I'm scared that I might start becoming genuinely suicidal. Vyvanse might not be for everyone, but in my case it just feels like a much safer, more effective option. I want to emphasize that when these articles say that Adderall has a higher potential for abuse, they really, REALLY MEAN IT. I took Vyvanse for almost 7 years and had only a few occasional mental health issues stemming from it. After just one and a half years on Adderall, I already feel like a hopeless addict trapped in a downward spiral toward total dependency.
ChristyMarch 21, 2017
I have taken both and take psychostimulants for narcolepsy, and can tell you that the Adderall definitely works better for this condition. The Vyvanse is way too "smooth" in its deliverance to your system to be nearly as effective.

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