Concerta vs Vyvanse: Differences & Similarities Explained

Concerta versus Vyvanse: Understanding Stimulant Medications for ADHD

Concerta Overview

Concerta is a brand-name product for the generic drug methylphenidate hydrochloride. It is a prescription stimulant medication that is used to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerta is available as extended-release oral tablets, providing sustained symptom control throughout the day.

Vyvanse Overview

Vyvanse is a brand-name product for the generic drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It is a prescription central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD. Vyvanse is available in both capsule and chewable tablet forms and is designed for extended symptom control.

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Key Differences Between Concerta & Vyvanse

	Concerta	Vyvanse
Chemical composition and active ingredient	Methylphenidate	Lisdexamfetamine
FDA-approved uses	ADHD Narcolepsy	ADHD Moderate to severe binge eating disorder
Dosage forms and strengths	Extended-release tablets 18 mg, 27 mg, 36 mg, and 54 mg	Capsules and chewable tablets 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, and 70 mg
Maximum dose	54 mg per day in children and 72 mg per day in adolescents and adults	70 mg per day
Potential for abuse	Higher potential for abuse due to the active form of methylphenidate	Lower potential, as lisdexamfetamine t takes longer to convert Vyvanse to its active form, dextroamphetamine.

Similarities Between Concerta & Vyvanse

Primary Use: Both Concerta and Vyvanse are CNS stimulants prescribed for ADHD symptom relief.
Mechanism of Action: Both drugs work by changing the levels of certain natural chemicals in the central nervous system.
Approved Age Range: Concerta and Vyvanse are both approved for use in children 6 years of age and older. Keep in mind that use of Concerta in those who are 65 years and older has not been studied.
Controlled Substance Classification: Both ADHD medications are Schedule II controlled substances due to the potential for dependence and abuse.
Available Forms: Brand names and generic versions are available for both ADHD medications.
Dosing Frequency: Concerta and Vyvanse are both long-acting medications which allow once-daily dosing.

Effectiveness and Suitability for ADHD Treatment

Comparative Efficacy: Is Vyvanse Better Than Concerta?

Direct comparisons between Concerta and Vyvanse are limited, as few head-to-head clinical trials exist. However, two placebo-controlled trials have directly compared the effectiveness of Concerta vs Vyvanse in teenagers (ages 13 to 17) for treating ADHD.

The first study assessed the change in scores on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) after 6 weeks of treatment with Concerta, Vyvanse, or placebo. The results showed that teenagers who took Vyvanse had a slightly better response in terms of symptom management (with an average 25.4 point reduction in the score) compared to those who took Concerta (with an average 22.1 point reduction in the score). Both drugs were superior to placebo (inactive medicine), which was associated with an average 17-point reduction in the ADHD score.

The second study compared the ADHD-RS-IV score after treatment for 8 weeks. Again, Vyvanse treatment led to a greater reduction in the score compared to Concerta, and both drugs were more effective than placebo.

Is Vyvanse More Effective Than Concerta?

Current studies suggest that Vyvanse may be slightly more effective than Concerta for adolescents with ADHD. However, these studies have only been done in adolescents, and your response to either medication can vary. This means that either Vyvanse or Concerta may work better for you.

Find out how adults can manage ADHD without medication.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Concerta

Mood swings, including nervousness, restlessness, irritability
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
Dry mouth
Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Heavy sweating
Muscle tightness
Back pain
Uncontrolled movements
Decreased libido (sexual desire)

Common Side Effects of Vyvanse

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Dry mouth
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation
Weight loss

Comparison of Side Effects

Each person’s response and tolerability of a medicine varies. However, generally speaking:

Concerta is more likely to cause headaches, dry mouth, nausea, irritability, muscle pain, and sexual side effects.
Vyvanse is more likely to cause stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, and insomnia.

Warnings & Precautions

Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction

Both Concerta and Vyvanse are Schedule II (2) controlled substances with a high potential for dependence and misuse, leading to addiction.

Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of substance abuse (alcohol or drug abuse). Do not take more than the prescribed dosage or take more frequent doses of these ADHD medications.

Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Taking Concerta and Vyvanse can lead to high blood pressure and increased heart rate. Your healthcare provider will monitor you carefully while taking a CNS stimulant like Vyvanse or Concerta.

There are reports of serious cardiovascular events and sudden death in patients who took Concerta, Vyvanse, and other stimulant medications. Risk factors include pre-existing heart disease. Give your healthcare professional a complete medical history before starting treatment for ADHD.

Seek immediate medical attention for signs and symptoms such as chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.

Psychiatric Side Effects

Psychiatric adverse effects have been reported in people who took stimulant medications, including triggering of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder, new manic or psychotic symptoms, and increased aggression. Tell your doctor without delay if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior after taking a central nervous system stimulant.

Learn more: Can You Have ADHD and Bipolar Disorder?

Other Health Risks

Serious allergic reactions can occur with both Concerta and Vyvanse. Seek immediate medical care if you develop a skin rash, hives, itching, blistering, or peeling skin, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
Stimulants can lower the seizure threshold in people with seizure disorders. Talk to your doctor about adjusting the doses of your seizure medications if you have epilepsy.
Priapism (a prolonged or painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours) has been reported in patients who took Concerta. This is a medical emergency. Seek emergency medical care if it happens.
Concerta and other CNS stimulant medications have been linked to an increased risk of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Stimulants can trigger or worsen vocal or motor tics in people with Tourette’s syndrome. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of this condition.
Stimulant ADHD medications may not be safe for people with glaucoma.

Risks in Pediatric Patients

Stimulant medicines used to treat ADHD can lead to slowed weight gain and growth in pediatric patients. Your child’s doctor will track their growth carefully during ADHD treatment.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Suddenly stopping ADHD medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping ADHD medications. They will tell you how to slowly reduce the prescribed dosage.

Drug Interactions

Certain medications can interact with Concerta and Vyvanse, increasing the risk of serious adverse effects like serotonin syndrome. Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products.

Special caution is needed if you are taking medications such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, antiepileptic drugs, and blood pressure medications.

Discover 7 drugs you should never combine with Vyvanse.

Cost and Accessibility

Availability of Generic Versions

The generic forms of drugs contain the same active ingredient and are equally safe and effective but can be considerably cheaper than the brand names. The generic form of Concerta first became available in 2012. The generic form of Vyvanse became available in 2023.

Coverage and Cost Comparison

Generic methylphenidate and generic lisdexamfetamine are covered by most health plans.

The out-of-pocket cost for 30 tablets of brand name Concerta tablet 36 mg can be over $475. Choosing generic methylphenidate hydrochloride 20 mg can reduce the price of 30 tablets to under $20.

The out-of-pocket cost for 30 capsules of brand name Vyvanse 40 mg can be more than $400. Choosing generic lisdexamfetamine dimesylate 40 mg can lower the price of 30 capsules to about $200 to $300.

Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on prescription drug coverage in your specific health insurance plan. Some health plans may not cover the brand name Concerta and Vyvanse or require a higher copay or coinsurance.

A free BuzzRx discount coupon can help you save money on your ADHD medication.

Making an Informed Decision

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

When choosing a medication to reduce symptoms of ADHD, ask your healthcare provider the following questions:

Medication type (stimulant versus non-stimulant ADHD drugs).
Dosing frequency.
Medication effectiveness.
Treatment duration.
Potential side effects.
Serious side effects and risks.
Potential for abuse.

Healthcare providers recommend a comprehensive treatment plan for ADHD that includes medications, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Even though CNS stimulants are effective at managing your ADHD symptoms, behavioral therapy (such as talk therapy) and maintaining a healthful lifestyle are essential for treatment success.

Which Medication Is Right for You?

Your healthcare provider will keep various things in mind when choosing the best ADHD medication for you, including your symptoms, the potential for abuse, tolerability and side effects, drug interactions, cost, and insurance coverage. For example:

Your health plan may cover generic Concerta but not the brand name, and the former may work equally well for you at a lower out-of-pocket cost.
Your provider may choose Vyvanse over Concerta because Vyvanse has a lower potential for abuse or because it can also treat binge eating disorder.

Common Questions

Is Vyvanse Stronger Than Methylphenidate?

Studies suggest Vyvanse (generic form: lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) may be slightly more effective in controlling ADHD symptoms in adolescents compared to methylphenidate hydrochloride (brand names Concerta, Ritalin LA, and others). Compare Ritalin vs Adderall.

What ADHD Drug Is Closest To Vyvanse?

Other central nervous system stimulants used to treat ADHD can be used as Vyvanse alternatives, including:

Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts)
Concerta (methylphenidate)
Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)

You should also talk to your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of taking stimulants such as Concerta and Vyvanse versus non-stimulant ADHD medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Kayvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv).