Two medicines, side by side
Dexmethylphenidate vs lisdexamfetamine
Dexmethylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are both labeled for ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexmethylphenidate since 2001 and of lisdexamfetamine since 2007. Pharmacies paid $1.45 per dexmethylphenidate ER 10 mg capsule and $2.44 per lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Dexmethylphenidate, “Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is a CNS stimulant.”; Lisdexamfetamine, “Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine.”
Check it at the source: the dexmethylphenidate FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 30, 2024); the lisdexamfetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026).
Highlights of the dexmethylphenidate record
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) · label of May 30, 2024
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION Focalin 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 Focalin, 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 Focalin, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
Used for
From the label: indicationsFocalin is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Focalin is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ( 1 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 13, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.45 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
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 (Dexmethylphenidate label of May 30, 2024, Lisdexamfetamine label of April 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dexmethylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Dexmethylphenidate, “Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is a CNS stimulant.”; Lisdexamfetamine, “Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine.”
Both are in FDA's class central nervous system stimulants.
Half-life, in each label's words: Dexmethylphenidate, “The mean terminal elimination half-life of dexmethylphenidate was approximately 2.2 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: dexmethylphenidate since 2007; lisdexamfetamine since 2023 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dexmethylphenidate | Lisdexamfetamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | ADHD | ADHD, Binge eating disorder |
| Pharmacologic class | Central Nervous System Stimulant | Central Nervous System Stimulant |
| How it works (label) | Dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride is a CNS stimulant. The mode of therapeutic action in ADHD is not known. | 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 terminal elimination half-life of dexmethylphenidate was approximately 2.2 hours. | 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) | November 13, 2001 | February 23, 2007 |
| First generic approved | January 29, 2007 | August 25, 2023 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.45 per capsule (Dexmethylphenidate ER 10 mg capsule) | $2.44 per capsule (Lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +4% | -32% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,207 | 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?
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 dexmethylphenidate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions