What are the differences between Vyvanse and Adderall?

What are the differences between Vyvanse and Adderall?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is witnessed when there is an imbalance of brain chemicals. Drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of such conditions. The key ingredients help increase focus and also enable you to pay needful attention. In essence, these drugs can bring about a marked change to your impulses. Medications such as Vyvanse and Adderall are popular meds used for treating ADHD. But, what are the differences between these two meds? It is a wise thing to know more on this front prior to starting your treatment.

What is Vyvanse?

The generic form of this med is known as lisdexamfetamine. It forms part of medication plans to treat social and psychological disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – ADHD. This drug is grouped under a category of meds called stimulants. As an extended use, it is also used for the management of binge eating impulses and a few other related conditions. The main task of Vyvanse is to make you stay focussed, increase your attention span as well as control nervousness / being fidgety. The med’s active ingredients help restore an optimal level of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

The typical dosage plan involves intake of a single dose – either before or after your morning meal. It is not safe to take this drug afternoon or at night times; this is mainly because of the sleep related disorders it may trigger. No two people with ADHD are prescribed with the same dosage plan of Vyvanse; your plan depends on the intensity of the underlying disorder, how your body responds to the initial few dosages, etc. It is important to adhere to your physician’s advice all through the treatment plan.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is one of the most commonly prescribed meds for the treatment of ADHD. As an extended application, this drug is also administered for the managing episodes of narcolepsy. The drug is made of two active ingredients 1- dextro-amphetamine and 2- amphetamine. These two substances work on the central nervous system i.e., CNS; as a result, ample control is exerted on your hyperactive, impulsive actions.

Adderall is habit-forming and hence is addictive. So, it becomes essential to inform prior conditions of substance-abuse, to your caregiving team and/or pharmacist. As some users may develop cardiac problems or a stroke, it is the vital thing to watch out for signs such as excessive sweating, quicker heartbeat, or an accelerated pulse rate. If you have a clinical track record of high blood pressure levels / being hypertensive, prior instances of heart attacks / cardiac stresses, your treating doctor must be made aware of all such prior conditions.

What are the differences between Vyvanse and Adderall?

The key difference is Vyvanse contains only one form of amphetamine; this salt is called lisdexamfetamine. On the other hand, Adderall has four (4) types of amphetamine in it. The four forms of amphetamine are amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, and amphetamine aspartate.

Another key difference is Vyvanse is widely regarded to have lesser odds of being abused. However, there are no comparative studies available to prove the lesser abuse potential of Vyvanse as compared to Adderall. Another point to remember is the generic form of Vyvanse is not available yet; Adderall has a generic version. Owing to this, a medication plan involving Vyvanse can tend to get costlier than a plan based on Adderall.

Apart from the aforesaid factors, both these drugs work in an almost similar fashion. The main ingredients help block the reabsorption of dopamine and norepinephrine (these are two well-known neurotransmitters/brain chemicals). Both Adderall and Vyvanse cannot be taken through over the counter route, it is essential to use them under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.