Two medicines, side by side
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine vs lisdexamfetamine
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine are both labeled for ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine since 1960 and of lisdexamfetamine since 2007. Pharmacies paid $0.233 per dextroamp-amphetamin 10 mg tablet and $2.44 per lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026); the lisdexamfetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026).
Highlights of the amphetamine and dextroamphetamine record
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall) · label of August 4, 2026
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SACCHARATE, AMPHETAMINE ASPARTATE, DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE AND AMPHETAMINE SULFATE TABLETS has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate and Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets (Mixed Salts of a Single Amphetamine Product) are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 19, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.233 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 23
Highlights of the lisdexamfetamine record
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) · label of April 30, 2026
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION VYVANSE has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including VYVANSE, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ], and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing VYVANSE, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Used for
From the label: indicationsVYVANSE ® is indicated for the treatment of: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 23, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $2.44 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label of August 4, 2026, Lisdexamfetamine label of April 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class central nervous system stimulants.
Half-life, in each label's words: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, “The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) for d-amphetamine was shorter than the t 1/2 of the l-isomer (9.77 to 11 hours …”; Lisdexamfetamine, “The plasma elimination half-life of dextroamphetamine was approximately 8.6 to 9.5 hours in pediatric patients 6 to 12 …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: amphetamine/dextroamphetamine since 2002; lisdexamfetamine since 2023 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine | Lisdexamfetamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | ADHD | ADHD, Binge eating disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Central Nervous System Stimulant | Central Nervous System Stimulant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine. Amphetamines are non-catecholamine sympathomimetic amines with CNS stimulant activity. The exact mode of therapeutic action in ADHD and BED is not known. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) for d-amphetamine was shorter than the t 1/2 of the l-isomer (9.77 to 11 hours vs. | The plasma elimination half-life of dextroamphetamine was approximately 8.6 to 9.5 hours in pediatric patients 6 to 12 years and 10 to 11.3 hours in healthy adults. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 19, 1960 | February 23, 2007 |
| First generic approved | February 11, 2002 | August 25, 2023 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 25 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.233 per tablet (Dextroamp-amphetamin 10 mg tablet) | $2.44 per capsule (Lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -0.5% | -32% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 23 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,250 | 34,602 |
| DEA schedule | CII | CII |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine label, warningsIf concomitant use of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug …
Lisdexamfetamine label, warnings and precautionsIf concomitant use of VYVANSE with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate VYVANSE with lower doses, monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome during drug initiation or titration, and inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions