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Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prescription stimulant medication primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substance in the Schedule II category. This category is the highest schedule of drugs available legally in the United States. This is due to the very high addiction and abuse potential of this drug and other members of the same class. All amphetamine-derived ADHD medications belong to this schedule of drugs. Non-amphetamine-based ADHD treatments, such as Strattera, are not controlled substances.
Vyvanse was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007 for treatment and symptom control in ADHD. ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, and ADHD can last into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by difficulty paying attention and staying focused, high levels of activity, and often uncontrollable behavior. When looking at adolescents, the overall incidence of ADHD is just over 13%. Males are about three times more likely than females to suffer from ADHD. ADHD is a very impactful disorder for all ages. It can negatively affect children’s academic performance, behavior, and social skills. Those effects can carry into adulthood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2016 that one in every 20 American children was on stimulant medication for ADHD.
In 2015, Vyvanse was approved by the FDA also to treat binge eating disorder (BED). These are episodes of uncontrollable eating followed by sickness, guilt, and shame.
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Is there a generic for Vyvanse?
The FDA approved the generic version of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) on August 28, 2023, and began to hit the shelves shortly after that in all previously available Vyvanse strengths. Before the generic approval, the brand Vyvanse, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, had already suffered from market shortages. Increased demand after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturing delays, and DEA-imposed manufacturing restrictions for controlled substances were at least two suspected causes of the shortage. Once generic Vyvanse became available, it filled a void in the marketplace, leaving a wake of shortages of other generic stimulants such as generic Adderall and Concerta. Adderall’s generic, mixed amphetamine salts were one of the first generics to be available in this class. The overall demand diminished generic Vyvanse stock quickly, and drugmakers’ availability has fluctuated since. Brand Vyvanse seems to be consistently available at this time. Still, many third-party payors and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) have moved Vyvanse’s brand to a non-preferred status instead of the more affordable generic. Choosing to get the brand Vyvanse, or being forced to get it due to shortages of the generic, can negatively impact the price you will pay for your prescription at the pharmacy counter.
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What are the differences between brand name and generic Vyvanse?
Vyvanse and its generic, lisdexamfetamine, contain the same active ingredient in the same amount for each strength and dosage form. The FDA must approve generic drugs to come on the market, but this will only happen once the original patent granted to the brand name manufacturer has expired. Generic drugs must prove themselves equivalent to the brand in dose and effect. Generic drugs may have different non-active ingredients than the original brand name drug. Generic drugs will also have other physical attributes from the brand, such as the dose’s size, shape, imprint, or color.
The generic version of Vyvanse is too new to have explicit data comparing its efficacy to the brand Vyvanse in large-scale, general-population use. Generally speaking, the FDA approval process ensures no significant difference between brand and generic drugs. There have been cases and reports of other behavioral and mental health drugs whose generic versions did not match the outcomes of their brand counterparts. For instance, one study showed that when comparing brand antidepressants to their generic counterparts, the brand-name drugs showed a higher protective effect in hospitalized patients as compared to the generic version.
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How much is generic Vyvanse?
Without insurance, brand-name Vyvanse can cost between $500 to $600 per month, depending on the strength. The introduction of the generic has provided some relief from that price. The average retail price of the generic is between $300 and $400. SingleCare offers significant discounted prices to its members. A month’s supply with SingleCare can be as little as $105 at participating pharmacies.
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| Brand-name Vyvanse | Vyvanse generic (lisdexamfetamine) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $564 for 30, 70 mg capsules of Vyvanse | $386 for 30, 40 mg capsules of lisdexamfetamine |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $384 for 30, 70mg capsules of Vyvanse | $104 for 30, 40 mg capsules of lisdexamfetamine |
| Free coupons | Vyvanse coupons | Lisdexamfetamine coupons |
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What are the off-label uses for Vyvanse?
The manufacturer lists cocaine dependence as an off-label use. While there is mixed evidence as to whether Vyvanse or its generic decreases actual cocaine use, it has been correlated to significantly fewer cravings for cocaine by addicted users.
How to switch from Vyvanse to lisdexamfetamine
In most cases, if your healthcare provider writes your prescription for Vyvanse, pharmacists are allowed to substitute the generic at the request of the patient or the third-party payor. If the prescriber does not want the substitution to occur, they can notate that on the order. If you have been taking Vyvanse, it is okay to make an immediate and equal-dose conversion to the generics of Vyvanse. No tapering or dose adjustment is required. The next time you fill your prescription, ask the pharmacist about generic Vyvanse.
There may be instances where your healthcare provider will want you to take the brand name Vyvanse. This could be because you have an allergy or sensitivity to one of the inactive ingredients in the generic form not contained in the brand name formulation. It may also be due to the in-stock availability of the brand versus the generic at any given time.
If you suddenly stop taking Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine after taking it consistently for a long time, you may encounter withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, increased appetite, and headaches. If you have had to stop taking Vyvanse suddenly due to a shortage in the supply chain, speak to your doctor about alternative stimulant medications you may be able to try instead of Vyvanse. If you have been taking the generic, and the pharmacist indicates they can only get the brand currently, ask about an insurance override option to match coverage on the brand name due to the shortage in the supply chain of the generic. Supply chain issues can be challenging to navigate, but be persistent in your search for alternative options and solutions, and seek medical advice if you are facing challenges locating your medication in stock.
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Long-term use of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
Vyvanse has been studied diligently to establish its safety for long-term use. Children and adolescents were followed for two years on optimized doses for ADHD. The study evaluated vital signs, electrocardiography, growth, and treatment-emergent adverse events. The efficacy of treatment was assessed utilizing three different ADHD rating scales. The results found that the effectiveness of the medication was maintained through the two years, and the safety profile remained similar to earlier, shorter-term studies.
Vyvanse and its generic, lisdexamfetamine, are safe and effective treatments for ADHD. The generic provides the same efficacy as Vyvanse at a much lower cost. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information on taking generic Vyvanse.
Sources
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), National Institute for Mental Health (2024)
- VYVANSE- lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule. DailyMed, National Institutes of Health (2012)
- National prevalence of ADHD and treatment: Information on children and adolescents, Centers for Disease Control (2016)
- Brand-name antidepressants outperform their generic counterparts in preventing hospitalization for depression: The real-world evidence from Taiwan, Int J Neuropsychopharmacol (2020)
- Pilot study of the effects of lisdexamfetamine on cocaine use: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Drug Alcohol Depend (2015)
- Long-term safety and efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in children and adolescents with ADHD: A Phase IV, 2-Year, open-label study in Europe, CNS Drugs (2017)
