{"id":630488,"date":"2024-11-18T17:25:01","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T22:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630488"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:37:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T20:37:01","slug":"switching-from-adderall-to-vyvanse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/switching-from-adderall-to-vyvanse\/","title":{"rendered":"Switching from Adderall to Vyvanse: Why and how to do it safely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Left untreated, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (<\/span>ADHD<\/span><\/a>) can negatively impact relationships and school and work performance. Fortunately, there are several <\/span>ADHD treatment options<\/span><\/a> available. Stimulants such as <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Ritalin<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Concerta<\/span><\/a> are commonly prescribed to increase focus and attention while boosting impulse control.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adderall (<\/span>amphetamine-dextroamphetamine<\/span><\/a>) and Vyvanse (<\/span>lisdexamfetamine dimesylate<\/span><\/a>) are both brand-name central nervous system (CNS) stimulants approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD. <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> is also FDA approved for narcolepsy, and <\/span>Vyvanse<\/span><\/a> is also FDA approved for binge eating disorder. If you\u2019ve heard that Vyvanse may be better for ADHD, you may wonder whether it is possible to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse. The answer is yes, as long as your healthcare provider approves. However, there are some essential things to consider before switching, including differences in timing and cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of switching from Adderall to Vyvanse for ADHD?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In a head-to-head comparison of <\/span>Adderall vs. Vyvanse<\/span><\/a>, Vyvanse has a higher out-of-pocket cost, although both prescription drugs are available in lower-cost generic versions. Because both ADHD medications are stimulants, they also share similar side effects and interact with the same drugs (such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors).<\/span><\/p>\n

So then, what are the potential benefits of switching from immediate-release Adderall (Adderall IR), or extended-release Adderall (<\/span>Adderall XR<\/span><\/a>), to Vyvanse? Possible benefits include convenience, effectiveness, duration of action, FDA-approved uses, and decreased potential for abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Convenience<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> shows ADHD patients who are consistent about taking their meds have better outcomes\u2014improvements in ADHD symptoms\u2014than those who aren\u2019t. However, consistency can be challenging for people with a condition linked to inattention and forgetfulness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Standard immediate-release Adderall is taken one to three times daily, but Vyvanse is always taken just once per day. \u201cOnce a day in the morning is easier for clients to remember and easier for students dosing before the school day begins,\u201d says <\/span>Lisa Dorfman<\/span><\/a>, LMHC, RD, a Miami-based licensed mental health counselor and dietitian. Ultimately, Vyvanse\u2019s dosing schedule is more convenient and more likely to be remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Effectiveness<\/span><\/h3>\n

Both Adderall and Vyvanse have been proven effective at improving ADHD symptoms. However, <\/span>one study<\/span><\/a> comparing the effects of Adderall XR and Vyvanse on children with ADHD found that Vyvanse might be slightly more effective. In the study, 32% of the Vyvanse group and only 16% of the Adderall XR group were reported to be \u201cvery much improved\u201d after treatment. However, this particular study was small, and in the real world, individual results will vary based on many unique factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because every person\u2019s symptoms and needs are slightly different, a healthcare provider can offer personalized medical advice on the best ADHD medication for each patient\u2019s situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duration of action<\/span><\/h3>\n

The main benefit of switching from Adderall to Vyvanse is that its effects last longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVyvanse is a really long-acting medication,\u201d says <\/span>Sid Khurana, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified psychiatrist and cofounder of Nevada Mental Health in Las Vegas. He says Vyvanse lasts more than twice as long as regular Adderall and about two hours longer than Adderall XR.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes we\u2019ll see patients with Adderall, and they will say, \u2018It doesn\u2019t work long enough,\u2019 and those are the patients we\u2019ll switch to Vyvanse,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unlike Adderall and Adderall XR, Vyvanse is also FDA approved for the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults. <\/span>Binge eating disorder<\/span><\/a> is characterized by episodes of out-of-control eating, followed by feelings of guilt and shame. <\/span>Limited research<\/span><\/a> suggests an overlap in the neurobehavioral circuits of people with <\/span>binge eating disorder<\/span><\/a> and ADHD, which often includes low impulse control.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, if a person with ADHD is also experiencing episodes of binge eating, switching from Adderall to Vyvanse might help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse can lead to physical and emotional dependency and addiction. But Dr. Khurana thinks Vyvanse\u2019s more gradual onset lessens the risk of substance abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vyvanse is a prodrug, which means that it is inactive until the body metabolizes it into an active drug. This mechanism lowers its abuse potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Khurana says that, although Vyvanse (like Adderall and Adderall XR) has a <\/span>boxed warning<\/span><\/a> that says it is a <\/span>controlled substance<\/span><\/a> with the potential for abuse and misuse, most people who misuse drugs don\u2019t want to wait an hour for its effects.\u201cVyvanse delays that immediate euphoria sometimes people get with fast-acting stimulants,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Adderall vs. Vyvanse comparison chart<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nAdderall<\/b><\/td>\nAdderall XR<\/b><\/td>\nVyvanse<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total daily dose for ADHD<\/b><\/td>\n2.5\u201340 mg<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n5\u201330 mg<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n30\u201370 mg<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frequency<\/b><\/td>\nTotal daily dose may be divided into 1\u20133 doses daily<\/span><\/td>\nOnce daily<\/span><\/td>\nOnce daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onset \/ How long it takes to work<\/b><\/td>\n30 minutes to 1 hour after administration<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n30 minutes to 1 hour after administration<\/span><\/td>\n1-2 hours after dosing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration of action<\/b><\/td>\n4\u20136 hours<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nUp to 12 hours<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nUp to 14 hours<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conditions treated<\/b><\/td>\nADHD and narcolepsy<\/span><\/td>\nADHD<\/span><\/td>\nADHD and binge eating disorder<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who can use it<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 3 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 6 years and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 6 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost without insurance<\/b><\/td>\n$870 for 60, 20 mg tablets <\/span><\/td>\n$344 per 30, 30 mg capsules\u00a0 <\/span><\/td>\n$557 for 30, 30 mg capsules <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost*<\/b><\/td>\n$27 for 60, 20 mg tablets at Kroger<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$28 per 30, 30 mg capsules at Walgreens<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n$63 per 30, 30 mg capsules at CVS<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of <\/span><\/i>Jan. 23, 2026. <\/span><\/i>The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

How to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse for ADHD<\/span><\/h2>\n

The process of switching from Adderall to Vyvanse for ADHD must be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional. While these drugs are similar, they have different active ingredients, so there is always potential for new side effects, adverse events, and drug interactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once a healthcare provider approves the medication change, Dr. Khurana says the patient will be started on a low dose of Vyvanse before gradually tapering up to the new \u201cjust right\u201d dose. \u201cLet\u2019s say somebody had to be on a high dose of Adderall,\u201d he says. \u201cWe don\u2019t switch them to the high dose of Vyvanse. We have to start from a lower dose and work our way up. That\u2019s how we minimize side effects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s very important to always take ADHD meds exactly as directed before and after the switch. Not only does consistency optimize the drug\u2019s effectiveness, but it helps patients and their caregivers understand the stimulant\u2019s effects on physical and mental energy throughout the day, according to Dorfman. This helps prescribers optimize dosing for each individual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, it is important to keep drug interactions in mind whenever switching medications since your new prescription might interact with more (or different) medications or supplements than your old one. The good news when switching from Adderall to Vyvanse is that they interact with many of the same drugs. Just in case, it\u2019s a good idea to communicate a list of any medications you take to your healthcare provider before switching ADHD medications. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects from stopping Adderall and starting Vyvanse<\/span><\/h2>\n

Adderall and Vyvanse are both stimulant medications, so they share similar potential side effects. Common side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n