Vyvanse is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It’s an extended-release version of the drug known as l-amphetamine.
Vyvanse is taken once daily, at about the same time each day. Here’s everything you need to know if you or your child need a prescription for Vyvanse:
Table of Contents
Who Needs a Prescription to Get Vyvanse?
To get a prescription for Vyvanse, you must be diagnosed with ADHD by a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional – like a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker.
Typically, you’ll need a diagnosis of ADHD by age 12 to qualify for Vyvanse as a treatment option. If you’re an adult, you’ll need to have had the disorder for at least six months.
If you’re pregnant and think you may have ADHD, talk to your doctor right away – there are safer ways to treat ADHD during pregnancy.
If you have certain liver diseases, allergies, or a history of drug abuse or using alcohol excessively, your doctor may not prescribe Vyvanse.
What is the Vyvanse Prescription Process?
If you and your doctor agree that Vyvanse is the right medication for you, the doctor will need to evaluate you for Vyvanse dependence. If you’ve had a long history of stimulant use, this is especially important. During the evaluation, you and your doctor will discuss your history with stimulant medications and come up with a treatment plan.
You’ll likely start with a low dose and your doctor will watch you closely. If you respond well to the medication, your doctor may increase the dose after a few weeks.
If the doctor approves the prescription, you can order Vyvanse online or get it through a mail-order pharmacy.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Vyvanse
Doctors are trained to ask questions and evaluate your responses. So if you have ADHD, you should feel comfortable telling your doctor all about your symptoms.
If your doctor doesn’t ask you all the questions on this list, it’s up to you to bring up your concerns.
- What are your current symptoms? Vyvanse treats symptoms like lack of focus, restlessness, and trouble paying attention.
- When did the symptoms start? Were your symptoms present in childhood? If so, the doctor will want to know if you ever received a diagnosis and if you were treated with stimulants as a child.
- What, if anything, has helped so far?
- What haven’t you tried that you’d like to try?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a psychological disorder? If so, which one(s) and how has that affected your life?
- What are your expectations for the treatment? What do you hope the Vyvanse will do for you?
How Much Does Vyvanse Cost With a Prescription?
The cost of Vyvanse will vary depending on the dosage, your insurance coverage, and where you purchase the medication.
- Insurance: Before you get a prescription for Vyvanse, check with your insurance company to see if the medication is covered. Most health insurance plans cover Vyvanse, but sometimes with restrictions.
- Price: The average retail price of Vyvanse is $223 per month ($22.30 per day). If you have insurance, you may be able to get the medication for less than this amount. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to pay the full retail price.
- Where to buy: You can get Vyvanse online or through a mail-order pharmacy. You can also get Vyvanse at your local pharmacy if your insurance plan covers the medication.
What is Adderall and Is It Same as Vyvanse?
Adderall contains a mix of amphetamine salts, including Vyvanse. It has long been prescribed for ADHD in children as well as adults.
Adderall and Vyvanse are generally considered to be equally effective in treating ADHD symptoms. However, Vyvanse is FDA-approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults, while Adderall is only FDA-approved for use in children and adolescents.
People often wonder if the two medications are interchangeable. The quick answer is yes, it is possible to take Vyvanse in place of Adderall.
However, you should always discuss this with your doctor first — especially if you have taken Adderall in the past. Your doctor will take into account your medical history and current symptoms when deciding if Vyvanse is the best medication for you.
Pros and Cons of Vyvanse for ADHD Treatment
Vyvanse may have some advantages over other ADHD treatments. For example, long-term studies show that Vyvanse is safe for children and teens. It’s also well-tolerated by most people who use it. However, Vyvanse does have some potential drawbacks.
Pros:
- Effective in treating ADHD symptoms
- It is FDA-approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults
- It is less likely to cause severe side effects than other stimulants
- It is long-lasting, so you won’t have to take it more than once per day
- It is unlikely to cause dependence or abuse
Cons:
- It is expensive
- It is only available as a once-daily extended-release capsule
- It is not an appropriate treatment for everyone with ADHD
- It cannot be taken by people with certain medical conditions
- It may cause side effects such as headache, stomachache, or trouble sleeping.
Bottom line
Vyvanse is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. It’s an extended-release version of the drug known as l-amphetamine. It’s generally considered to be equally effective in treating ADHD as Adderall, but Vyvanse is approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults.
Vyvanse has some advantages over other stimulant medications, like being less likely to cause severe side effects, dependence, or abuse.
However, it does come with some potential drawbacks, including being expensive, only being available as a once-daily extended-release capsule, and not being an appropriate treatment for everyone with ADHD.
