{"id":628045,"date":"2024-05-05T20:12:44","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T00:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628045"},"modified":"2026-04-03T11:51:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:51:36","slug":"strattera-vs-vyvanse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/strattera-vs-vyvanse\/","title":{"rendered":"Strattera vs Vyvanse: Differences, Similarities, and Which One is Better For You"},"content":{"rendered":"

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder<\/span> (ADHD) can be effectively treated with <\/span>Strattera<\/span> or <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span>, both of which can alleviate the lack of focus, <\/span>impulsivity<\/span>, and restlessness of the disorder. Brand-name drugs like Strattera and Vyvanse are approved to treat <\/span>ADHD<\/span><\/a>, aiming to enhance academic, work, and social performance. Yet, they differ significantly in mechanism, use, side effects, and interactions. Comparing the two ADHD medicines, including their cost, will be our focus here.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStrattera<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nVyvanse<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nSelective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor<\/span> (<\/span>SNRI<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\nCentral nervous system<\/span> (<\/span>CNS<\/span><\/a>) stimulant<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nAtomoxetine<\/span><\/td>\nLisdexamfetamine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nCapsule<\/span><\/td>\nCapsule or <\/span>chewable tablet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard adult dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n80 mg capsule once per day<\/span><\/td>\n30 mg capsule once per day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nindefinite<\/span><\/td>\nindefinite<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\n6 years of age through adulthood<\/span><\/td>\n6 years of age through adulthood<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

RELATED: <\/b>\u00a0<\/b>What is Vyvanse?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Conditions treated by Strattera and Vyvanse\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Strattera<\/span> and <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the <\/span>treatment of <\/span>ADHD symptoms<\/span><\/a>. Either can control the <\/span>symptoms of ADHD<\/span> for as long as the disorder persists. In addition to uses for ADHD, <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> is <\/span>FDA-approved<\/span> for<\/span> binge eating disorder<\/span><\/a> in adults. Strattera is occasionally prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for cataplexy and orthostatic hypotension. Cataplexy involves sudden muscle weakness linked to <\/span>narcolepsy<\/span><\/a>, while <\/span>orthostatic hypotension<\/span><\/a> causes temporary drops in blood pressure, leading to dizziness upon changing position.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/b><\/td>\nStrattera<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nVyvanse<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ADHD<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Orthostatic hypotension<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cataplexy<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Binge eating disorder<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is Strattera or Vyvanse more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When choosing between <\/span>Strattera<\/span> and <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> for ADHD, one obvious factor to consider is their effectiveness. Unfortunately, there isn’t sufficient data from direct head-to-head comparison studies to help make decisions about effectiveness. Plenty of indirect comparisons can be made by looking at how each drug measured up against placebo (inactive tablets) in clinical trials. According to a <\/span>2018 meta-analysis<\/span><\/a> of available studies in pediatric and <\/span>adult ADHD<\/span> patients, stimulants like <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> seem to be more effective than <\/span>non-stimulant medication<\/span> like <\/span>Strattera<\/span>. Conversely, an <\/span>analysis of trials in adult patients<\/span><\/a> did not find much difference between ADHD treatments overall, but <\/span>Strattera<\/span> showed some advantages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Comparing the two treatments is tricky due to short-term studies on ADHD. This matters because the drugs work differently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a <\/span>CNS<\/span> stimulant medication<\/span>, <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span><\/a> works quickly by increasing the release of the <\/span>neurotransmitters<\/span> norepinephrine and <\/span>dopamine<\/span>. Once an adequate dose is achieved, effects are felt within hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

O<\/span>n the other hand, as an <\/span>SNRI<\/span>, <\/span>Strattera<\/span><\/a> works more slowly by gradually increasing norepinephrine levels. It may be a month or two before relief is obtained with <\/span>Strattera<\/span>. As a result, short-term studies could result in a more favorable view of <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> and other stimulants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strattera<\/span> and <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span> are not the only options to be considered for ADHD. Some others include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphetamine products<\/b><\/p>\n