Two medicines, side by side
Lisdexamfetamine vs methylphenidate
Lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate are both labeled for ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisdexamfetamine since 2007 and of methylphenidate since 1955. Pharmacies paid $2.44 per lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule and $0.158 per methylphenidate 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Methylphenidate's other strengths are brand-only: $2.43 per mL (Quillivant XR 25 mg/5 mL suspension). How each works, in its label's words: Lisdexamfetamine, “Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine.”; Methylphenidate, “Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.”
Check it at the source: the lisdexamfetamine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 30, 2026); the methylphenidate FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026).
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
Highlights of the methylphenidate record
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) · label of July 31, 2026
ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD 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 Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD, 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.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Capsules CD is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients 6 to 15 years of age. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 5, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.158 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 55
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisdexamfetamine label of April 30, 2026, Methylphenidate label of July 31, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Lisdexamfetamine, “Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine.”; Methylphenidate, “Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.”
Both are in FDA's class central nervous system stimulants.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: lisdexamfetamine since 2023; methylphenidate since 1977 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisdexamfetamine | Methylphenidate | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Methylphenidate hydrochloride is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mode of therapeutic action in ADHD is not known. |
| 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 | December 5, 1955 |
| First generic approved | August 25, 2023 | December 23, 1977 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $2.44 per capsule (Lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule) | $0.158 per tablet (Methylphenidate 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -32% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 55 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,602 | 73,102 |
| 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 lisdexamfetamine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions