Two medicines, side by side

Lisdexamfetamine vs amphetamine

Lisdexamfetamine and amphetamine are both labeled for ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisdexamfetamine since 2007 and of amphetamine since 2016. Pharmacies paid $2.44 per lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule and $0.449 per amphetamine sulfate 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Amphetamine's other strengths are brand-only: $2.76 per mL (Dyanavel XR 2.5 mg/mL suspension).

Check it at the source: the lisdexamfetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026); the amphetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 20, 2026).

Highlights of the lisdexamfetamine record

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) · label of April 30, 2026

Boxed warning

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: indications
VYVANSE ® 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

Highlights of the amphetamine record

Amphetamine (Dyanavel) · label of August 20, 2026

Boxed warning

WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION AMPHETAMINE SULFATE TABLET 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 AMPHETAMINE SULFATE, CAN RESULT IN OVERDOSE AND DEATH (SEE OVERDOSAGE)], AND THIS RISK IS INCREASED WITH HIGHER DOSES OR UNAPPROVED METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION, SUCH AS SNORTING OR INJECTION.

Used for

From the label: indications
Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets USP are indicated for: Narcolepsy Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity as an integral part of a total treatment program which typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect in children with behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms: moderate to severe distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, emotional lability, and impulsivity. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: January 27, 2016
Generic labelers: 13 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.449 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 0

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisdexamfetamine label of April 30, 2026, Amphetamine label of August 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do lisdexamfetamine and amphetamine differ on the record?

Both are in FDA's class central nervous system stimulants.

Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.

Generics: lisdexamfetamine since 2023; amphetamine since 1976 (Drugs@FDA).

	Lisdexamfetamine	Amphetamine
Labeled for	ADHD, Binge eating disorder	ADHD
Pharmacologic class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
How it works (label)	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.	n/a
Half-life (label)	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.	n/a
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	February 23, 2007	January 27, 2016
First generic approved	August 25, 2023	February 26, 1976
Generic labelers (NDC)	19 labelers	13 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$2.44 per capsule (Lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule)	$0.449 per tablet (Amphetamine sulfate 10 mg tablet)
12-month price change	-32%	+14%
Boxed warning	Yes	Yes
Shortage now	In shortage	No current entry
Recalls recorded	11	0
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	34,602	8,452
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)

Do their labels mention each other?

Lisdexamfetamine label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS VYVANSE is contraindicated in patients with: Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products or other ingredients of VYVANSE.

Lisdexamfetamine label, drug interactions
DRUG INTERACTIONS Acidifying and Alkalinizing Agents: Agents that alter urinary pH can alter blood levels of amphetamine.

What both labels say about taking them together

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What do the labels say about using others of their kind?

Lisdexamfetamine label, warnings and precautions
If 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.

Amphetamine label, warnings
If concomitant use of Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets with other serotonergic drugs or CYP2D6 inhibitors is clinically warranted, initiate Amphetamine Sulfate Tablets 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?

Lisdexamfetamine: the full record
Amphetamine: the full record
Alternatives to lisdexamfetamine: every medicine labeled for the same conditions