atomoxetine vs lisdexamfetamine

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Side-by-side comparison of atomoxetine and lisdexamfetamine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

From a pharmacokinetic perspective, no dose adjustment for drugs that are substrates of CYP1A2 (e.g., theophylline, duloxetine, melatonin), CYP2D6 (e.g., atomoxetine, desipramine, venlafaxine), CYP2C19 (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole, clobazam), and CYP3A4 (e.g., midazolam, pimozide, simvastatin) is necessary when VYVANSE is co-administered [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

Drug Class
atomoxetine Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
lisdexamfetamine CNS Stimulant
Type
atomoxetine Prescription
lisdexamfetamine Prescription
Summary
atomoxetine

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a medicine that can help people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It works by affecting a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine.

lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a stimulant medicine. It can help improve focus and reduce impulsive behavior.

What It Treats
atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can cause you to be hyperactive, impulsive, and have trouble paying attention. This medicine can help you focus, be less impulsive, and feel calmer. It is for both kids and adults.

lisdexamfetamine

This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older. It also treats moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. This medicine is not for weight loss.

How It Works
atomoxetine

Atomoxetine works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain. Norepinephrine is a chemical that helps you pay attention and control your impulses. By increasing norepinephrine, atomoxetine can improve ADHD symptoms.

lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine affects chemicals in your brain. These chemicals help control hyperactivity and impulses. It can also help reduce binge eating.

Common Side Effects
atomoxetine
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Throwing up
  • Feeling tired
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Belly pain
lisdexamfetamine
  • Anorexia
  • Anxiety
  • Decreased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
atomoxetine
  • Nausea 431
  • Headache 407
  • Fatigue 401
  • Condition Aggravated 395
  • Hypertension 388
lisdexamfetamine
  • Intentional Overdose 1,068
  • Intentional Self-Injury 1,009
  • Product Availability Issue 487
  • Fatigue 402
  • Headache 377
Serious Warnings
atomoxetine

Atomoxetine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers. Watch carefully for worsening mood or any unusual changes in behavior. Tell your doctor right away if you have any suicidal thoughts or feelings.

lisdexamfetamine

This medicine has a high risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Misusing it can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will check your risk before and during treatment. Store this medicine safely and do not share it with anyone.

Pregnancy
atomoxetine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if atomoxetine will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about how to register.

lisdexamfetamine

This medicine may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This atomoxetine vs lisdexamfetamine Comparison

atomoxetine is classified in the Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor drug class, while lisdexamfetamine sits within the CNS Stimulant class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, atomoxetine has 2,022 submissions while lisdexamfetamine has 3,343. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to lisdexamfetamine does not affect the specific liver enzyme that processes atomoxetine.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for atomoxetine or lisdexamfetamine.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.