Prescription medication · CNS Stimulant
lisdexamfetamine
Also sold as Vyvanse. This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 5,840
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 14
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 60% less
- Generic vs brandBig savings
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a prescription CNS Stimulant, reported less often than most tracked drugs (5,840 FDA reports), whose generic runs roughly half the brand price or less (60% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a prescription CNS Stimulant. This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is a stimulant medicine. It can help improve focus and reduce impulsive behavior.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
lisdexamfetamine is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Rhodes Pharmaceuticals L.P.. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$12.38/unit
Generic Price
$4.93/unit
Generic Savings
60%
Generic Available
Yes (21 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older.
Common side effects
Anorexia, Anxiety, Decreased appetite
Key warnings
This medicine has a high risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from lisdexamfetamine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Lisdexamfetamine affects chemicals in your brain. These chemicals help control hyperactivity and impulses. It can also help reduce binge eating.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,840 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for lisdexamfetamine, by number of reports
- Intentional Overdose
Intentional Overdose
1,068 reports
- Intentional Self-Injury
Intentional Self-Injury
1,009 reports
- Product Availability Issue
Product Availability Issue
487 reports
- Fatigue 402
Fatigue
402 reports
- Headache 377
Headache
377 reports
- Anxiety 357
Anxiety
357 reports
- Inability To Afford Medication 348
Inability To Afford Medication
348 reports
- Product Substitution Issue 344
Product Substitution Issue
344 reports
- Depression 303
Depression
303 reports
- Condition Aggravated 268
Condition Aggravated
268 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for lisdexamfetamine each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where lisdexamfetamine sits
lisdexamfetamine has more FDA adverse-event reports than 27% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is lisdexamfetamine; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 5,840 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2007–2025.
Total Reports
5,840
Reports Mentioning Death
208
3.6% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
1,746
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE | 1,068 |
| 2 | INTENTIONAL SELF-INJURY | 1,009 |
| 4 | PRODUCT AVAILABILITY ISSUE | 487 |
| 5 | FATIGUE | 402 |
| 6 | HEADACHE | 377 |
| 7 | ANXIETY | 357 |
| 8 | INABILITY TO AFFORD MEDICATION | 348 |
| 9 | PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION ISSUE | 344 |
| 11 | DEPRESSION | 303 |
| 12 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 268 |
| 13 | INSOMNIA | 248 |
| 15 | INSURANCE ISSUE | 230 |
| 16 | SUICIDAL IDEATION | 224 |
| 17 | SOMNOLENCE | 221 |
| 18 | NAUSEA | 217 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Capsules From a pharmacokinetic perspective, no dose adjustment of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules is necessary when lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules is co-administered with guanfacine, venlafaxine, or omeprazole. 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,...
Mechanism: These two drugs do not significantly change how the body breaks each other down. They can be processed by the body at the same time without causing major problems.
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) ] .
Mechanism: Lisdexamfetamine does not interfere with the way your body processes this cholesterol medicine. Both drugs can work normally without affecting each other's levels.
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) ] .
Mechanism: This ADHD medicine does not change how your body breaks down this antidepressant. They do not have a significant chemical interaction in the liver.
7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Capsules From a pharmacokinetic perspective, no dose adjustment of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules is necessary when lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules is co-administered with guanfacine, venlafaxine, or omeprazole. In addition, no dose adjustment of guanfacine or venlafaxine is needed when lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules is co-administered [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . From a pharmacokinetic perspective, no dose adjustment for drugs that are substrates of CYP1A2 (e.g., theophylline,...
Mechanism: Lisdexamfetamine does not change how the body breaks down venlafaxine through liver enzymes.
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) ] .
Mechanism: Lisdexamfetamine does not affect the specific liver enzyme that processes atomoxetine.
This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.
Common Questions
Can I take this medicine if I have heart problems?
Will this medicine affect my growth?
Can I take this with other medicines?
What should I do if I feel agitated or have new psychotic symptoms?
Can this medicine cause tics?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can I drive while taking this medicine?
How often will my doctor check my blood pressure and heart rate?
What if I think I'm having a serious side effect?
Can I stop taking this medicine suddenly?
What are the common side effects of lisdexamfetamine?
Does lisdexamfetamine interact with other medications?
What drug class is lisdexamfetamine?
Is there a generic version of lisdexamfetamine?
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for lisdexamfetamine?
Has lisdexamfetamine been recalled?
Is lisdexamfetamine currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Failed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC
Failed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC
Related Medications in CNS Stimulant
Other drugs grouped near lisdexamfetamine - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with lisdexamfetamine →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with lisdexamfetamine →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with lisdexamfetamine →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with lisdexamfetamine →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with lisdexamfetamine →
Compare beyond drug class
Nationwide peers by FAERS volume & death-report share
Two PlainMeds-derived comparison paths for lisdexamfetamine: nearest FDA FAERS report volume and nearest death-report share among drugs with at least 1,000 logged reports, excluding same-class neighbors listed above. Counts reflect reporting volume, not proven individual harm.
Similar FAERS report volume
Nearest drugs by total FAERS reports. This record: 5,840.
Similar death-report share
Nearest drugs by FAERS death-report share. This record: 3.56%.
- paliperidone Δ 0.04 pts · 22,775 reports · Atypical Antipsychotic 3.52%death share
- acebutolol Δ 0.04 pts · 1,220 reports · Beta-1 Selective Blocker with ISA 3.61%death share
- upadacitinib Δ 0.07 pts · 72,798 reports · JAK Inhibitor 3.63%death share
- liraglutide Δ 0.09 pts · 47,843 reports · GLP-1 Receptor Agonist 3.65%death share
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on lisdexamfetamine
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for lisdexamfetamine
The FDA label for lisdexamfetamine (sold under brand names such as Vyvanse) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the CNS Stimulant class. This medicine treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and kids 6 years and older. Official labeling lists 15 commonly reported side effects, including Anorexia, Anxiety, Decreased appetite.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,840 voluntary reports. The database also lists 14 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $4.93 versus $12.38 for the brand - a 60% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.
Last updated: November 3, 2025
PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages