Is there a Vyvanse generic and does it work?

Looking for information on whether a generic version of Vyvanse is available and how it compares to the brand-name drug? Vyvanse is a commonly prescribed medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its generic version is lisdexamfetamine. In this article, learn everything you need to know about Vyvanse generic and how it works for ADHD.

Exploring medication management for ADHD? To learn if Vyvanse or another ADHD drug is right for you, book an appointment with a provider on Klarity Health today.

Is there a generic version of Vyvanse available?

There is a generic version of Vyvanse available — lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, or simply lisdexamfetamine. Brand-name Vyvanse was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2007. The generic version was FDA-approved in August 2023 for the same uses as brand-name Vyvanse, including ADHD in adults and kids ages 6 and up. 

Brand-name Vyvanse is manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. But lisdexamfetamine is manufactured by 6 or more different drug companies, including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Apotex Corp, and Ascent Pharmaceuticals. 

Manufacturing processes can differ across drug companies, so brand Vyvanse and generic lisdexamfetamine may differ in their appearance and filler ingredients. Different generics can also differ in appearance and inactive ingredients depending on where they’re made. But, they all contain the same active ingredient as Vyvanse.

Vyvanse generic compared to brand-name Vyvanse

Generic drugs work just like brand-name medications. To receive FDA approval, generic drugs must match their brand-name counterparts for dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, quality, and administration. The FDA’s rigorous pre-approval review process and manufacturing plant inspections ensure that generic manufacturers meet these standards. The benefit of generic drugs is that they cost less and most insurance plans prefer to cover generics.

Brand-name Vyvanse and its generic version, lisdexamfetamine, contain the same active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine. Both medications are available in the following forms and strengths:

• Oral capsule, available in 7 strengths — 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 milligrams.
• Chewable tablet, available in 6 strengths — 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 milligrams. 

Whether you get brand-name or generic, the dosing is the same. The typical starting dosage of Vyvanse is 30 milligrams once a day. Depending on how you respond, your healthcare provider may increase or decrease your dose until you find the amount that’s right for you. For ADHD, the usual dosage is 30 to 70 milligrams once a day. The maximum dose is 70 milligrams.

While brand-name and generic Vyvanse work the same, they differ in cost. With or without insurance coverage, you’ll likely pay less for Vyvanse generic than the brand name. The chart below shows the typical retail prices for Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine, per drugs.com and with its discount applied.

How generic Vyvanse — lisdexamfetamine — works for ADHD

People with ADHD may have an imbalance of brain chemicals that regulate behavior and focus. Vyvanse is a stimulant medication — it works by stimulating the central nervous system. It’s thought to treat ADHD by balancing certain brain chemicals, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Restoring balanced levels of these brain chemicals with a stimulant calms ADHD, reducing hyperactive ADHD symptoms and improving attention. 

Vyvanse and its generic belong to the amphetamine drug class. Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine. This means your body converts lisdexamfetamine into dextroamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine then produces the intended effects by boosting the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Vyvanse starts to work within 2 hours after you take it. And its effects last 12 to 14 hours.

So, how well do Vyvanse and generic Vyvanse work for ADHD? Clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of lisdexamfetamine in Vyvanse and generic lisdexamfetamine for ADHD.

Overall, clinical trials show that lisdexamfetamine works for ADHD. But clinical trials are different from real life. Collaborate with a healthcare provider to see if Vyvanse or generic lisdexamfetamine is right for you. 

What to know about Vyvanse and Vyvanse generic

Here’s an overview of the possible side effects, interactions, and warnings to be aware of while taking Vyvanse or generic lisdexamfetamine. 

Common side effects

Most adults who took Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine in clinical studies tolerated the medication well. The side effects are usually mild, but not everyone has them. Vyvanse works within 2 hours after you take it, and its effects are more subtle, gradual, and long-lasting compared to short-acting ADHD medications like Adderall.

Common side effects of Vyvanse or Vyvanse generic include:

• Low or no appetite
• Anxiety
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Nausea or vomiting

In a study of 358 adults with ADHD, most people tolerated the medication well enough to continue treatment. About 6% of participants had to stop the medication due to side effects, compared to 2% of those taking a placebo. Side effects that led to adults stopping the medication were insomnia, fast heartbeat, irritability, high blood pressure, and anxiety. 

Teens taking Vyvanse may have similar side effects, but some different ones as well. In particular, adolescents can have slowed growth. So it’s important to monitor your teen’s height and weight regularly throughout treatment.

Other side effects are possible, including serious ones, such as heart problems or allergic reactions. Consult a healthcare professional if you have side effects while taking Vyvanse or Vyvanse generic (lisdexamfetamine).

Boxed warning 

Vyvanse has a serious warning for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Misuse may lead to overdose and, rarely, death. It’s not recommended for people with a history of substance use disorder or addiction. Due to these risks, Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance. It requires a prescription and ongoing collaboration with a healthcare provider who’s licensed to prescribe controlled substances.

Other warnings, precautions, and contraindications 

Vyvanse isn’t a safe choice for everyone. Some people with certain health risks shouldn’t take it at all, such as those with a past allergic reaction to amphetamines and those who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

If you have had any of the following conditions, take Vyvanse with caution and careful monitoring for side effects:

• Personal or family history of heart problems
• High blood pressure
• Mental health conditions, such as psychosis or bipolar disorder
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Circulation disorders

Tell your prescriber if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Vyvanse may not be safe if you’re pregnant due to a higher risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. This medication also isn’t recommended while breastfeeding.

Drug interactions 

Vyvanse and generic Vyvanse can interact with other medications, such as:

• MAOIs, such as selegiline, phenelzine, or linezolid
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
• Other antidepressants and medications that increase the levels of serotonin in your body
• Medications or supplements that make your urine more or less acidic than usual, such as vitamin C or sodium bicarbonate

Other interactions are possible. Tell your healthcare provider about everything you take to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

Vyvanse and Vyvanse generic shortages

Shortages of ADHD medications have been a problem in the U.S. for the last few years. At the time of publication, the FDA reports shortages of lisdexamfetamine chewable tablets from Sun Pharmaceuticals and lisdexamfetamine oral capsules from multiple manufacturers. Brand-name Vyvanse is available and likely in stock at most pharmacies.

Alternatives to the generic for Vyvanse and Vyvanse if you can’t find either

If you’re having trouble getting brand-name or generic Vyvanse, or it isn’t working for you, other ADHD medication options are available. Other stimulant medications for ADHD include: 

• Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Mydayis, and others)
• Amphetamine sulfate (Adzenys, Dynavel, Evekeo)
• Methylphenidate (Concerta, Focalin, Metadate, Ritalin, and others)
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) 

It may be easier to find non-stimulant ADHD medications due to ongoing stimulant shortages. Non-stimulant alternatives to Vyvanse include: 

• Strattera (atomoxetine) 
• Qelbree (viloxazine)
• Kapvay (clonidine)
• Intuniv (guanfacine)

Talk to a healthcare provider to see which alternative is right for you, if any. 

Key takeaways 

Vyvanse, a medication for ADHD, has a generic version called lisdexamfetamine that was FDA-approved in August 2023. Both brand-name and generic Vyvanse have identical active ingredients and work the same.

Vyvanse and lisdexamfetamine are stimulants that balance brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine, providing a calming effect for people with ADHD. 

National shortages of generic Vyvanse may make it difficult to find in stock. It may be easier to find brand-name Vyvanse, but it’s typically more expensive and insurance plans generally prefer to cover generics. 

ADHD treatment is a click away

Ready to try brand-name or generic Vyvanse or another ADHD drug? Connect with a licensed ADHD provider on Klarity Health today to get the medication management you need if it’s right for you.  

Sources 

CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD, ADHD Medications Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Jan. 2023, https://d393uh8gb46l22.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ADHD-Medications-Approved-by-FDA-2.23.pdf

DailyMed, Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule, Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet chewable, Dec. 2023, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=da3148af-f9b6-4725-adae-3595b4c7dc4b 

DailyMed, Vyvanse-lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsule Vyvanse-lisdexamfetamine dimesylate tablet chewable, Oct. 2023, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=704e4378-ca83-445c-8b45-3cfa51c1ecad

drugs.com, Lisdexamfetamine Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs, Jun. 2024, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/lisdexamfetamine

drugs.com, Medications for Urinary Acidification, Jun. 2024, https://www.drugs.com/condition/urinary-acidification.html

drugs.com, Medications for Urinary Alkalinization, Jun. 2024, https://www.drugs.com/condition/urinary-alkalinization.html

drugs.com, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Apr. 2023, https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/monoamine-oxidase-inhibitors.html

drugs.com, Vyvanse Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs, Jun. 2024, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/vyvanse

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Approves Multiple Generics of ADHD and BED Treatment, Aug. 2023, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-multiple-generics-adhd-and-bed-treatment

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Drug Shortages, Jul. 2023, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/dsp_ActiveIngredientDetails.cfm?AI=Lisdexamfetamine%20Dimesylate%20Capsule&st=c&tab=tabs-1

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Generic Drug Facts, Nov. 2021, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, Jun. 2024, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/search_product.cfm

*Your provider will discuss treatment options with you, which may or may not include medication.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances like Vyvanse or generic Vyvanse may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. 

Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.