dexmethylphenidate vs lisdexamfetamine
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of dexmethylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Focalin, Focalin XR
Vyvanse
AZSTARYS is a stimulant medicine used to treat ADHD. It can help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a stimulant medicine. It can help improve focus and reduce impulsive behavior.
AZSTARYS is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in people 6 years and older. ADHD can make it hard to focus, pay attention, and control impulsive behaviors. This medicine can help manage these symptoms.
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.
AZSTARYS contains two ingredients that affect chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help improve focus and attention. One ingredient is released right away, and the other is released slowly over time.
Lisdexamfetamine affects chemicals in your brain. These chemicals help control hyperactivity and impulses. It can also help reduce binge eating.
- • Decreased appetite
- • Trouble sleeping
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Stomach pain
- • Weight loss
- • Anorexia
- • Anxiety
- • Decreased appetite
- • Weight loss
- • Diarrhea
- Nausea 196
- Anxiety 189
- Headache 183
- Fatigue 169
- Abnormal Behaviour 166
- Intentional Overdose 1,068
- Intentional Self-Injury 1,009
- Product Availability Issue 487
- Fatigue 402
- Headache 377
AZSTARYS has a high risk for abuse and addiction. Misusing it can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will check your risk before and during treatment. Store it safely and don't give it to others.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if AZSTARYS will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry to track outcomes in women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy.
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.
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How to Read This dexmethylphenidate vs lisdexamfetamine Comparison
dexmethylphenidate is classified in the CNS Stimulant drug class, while lisdexamfetamine sits within the CNS Stimulant class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, dexmethylphenidate has 903 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. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. 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 dexmethylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.