Vyvanse vs. Concerta
See how Vyvanse and Concerta compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Vyvanse is a once-daily amphetamine prodrug approved for ADHD and binge eating disorder, while Concerta is a once-daily methylphenidate tablet approved only for ADHD in ages 6 to 65.
Both carry boxed warnings for abuse, misuse, and dependence, and both can cause decreased appetite and insomnia.
Vyvanse uses a five-step dose titration up to 70 mg, while Concerta offers five fixed maintenance strengths from 18 mg to 72 mg without a required titration schedule.
Vyvanse vs. Concerta Drug Summary
Vyvanse
Vyvanse is a CNS stimulant that works as a prodrug of dextroamphetamine, meaning it converts to its active form after ingestion. It is FDA-approved for ADHD in people 6 and older and for moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults. It comes as a once-daily capsule or chewable tablet taken in the morning.
Concerta
Concerta is a CNS stimulant containing methylphenidate, delivered through an extended-release tablet that uses osmotic pressure to release medication over about 12 hours. It is FDA-approved for ADHD in people ages 6 to 65 and is sometimes prescribed off-label for narcolepsy. It is taken once daily in the morning and must be swallowed whole.
Vyvanse vs. Concerta Side Effects
Vyvanse
Concerta
Vyvanse vs. Concerta Dosage
Vyvanse
Concerta
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 70 mg once daily | Week 4 onward |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | Every week |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 18 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 18 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Vyvanse
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 30 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 70 mg once daily | Week 4 onward |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | Every week |
Concerta
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 18 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 18 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Vyvanse vs. Concerta Indications
Vyvanse
Vyvanse treats ADHD by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain to improve focus, impulse control, and attention. It is also the first and only stimulant FDA-approved specifically for treating moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults. It is not approved for weight loss, even though it can suppress appetite.
FDA-approved for ADHD in ages 6 and older
FDA-approved for moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults
Not approved for weight loss or obesity treatment
Available as capsule or chewable tablet
Concerta
Concerta treats ADHD in patients ages 6 to 65 by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine levels to help with focus and impulse control throughout the day. Some doctors also prescribe it off-label to manage narcolepsy, though this is not an FDA-approved use. It is not approved for children under 6 or adults over 65.
FDA-approved for ADHD in ages 6 to 65
Off-label use for narcolepsy
Not approved for children under 6 or adults over 65
Extended-release tablet delivers medication over about 12 hours
Vyvanse vs. Concerta Pros and Cons
Vyvanse
Vyvanse offers a once-daily dosing schedule with a simple five-step titration and is the only stimulant approved for binge eating disorder, though it shares the same boxed warnings for abuse and cardiovascular risk as other stimulants. Coverage varies by insurer, and its list price sits in a similar range to other branded stimulants.
Pros
Only stimulant FDA-approved for binge eating disorder
Available as a chewable tablet for people who dislike swallowing pills
Prodrug design may lower misuse risk if snorted or injected
No upper age limit specified in its ADHD indication
Cons
Not approved for narcolepsy, even off-label
Requires a multi-week titration before reaching a stable dose
Carries a specific warning for peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon
Concerta
Concerta's osmotic delivery system provides steady coverage for about 12 hours, and its five dose strengths allow finer adjustments than some other stimulants, but it carries the same boxed warnings for abuse and misuse. It is not approved for use beyond age 65, and its tablet must be swallowed whole, not crushed or chewed.
Pros
Steady 12-hour coverage from osmotic-release technology
Five dose strengths allow finer titration adjustments
Longer FDA track record, approved since 2000
Sometimes used off-label for narcolepsy
Cons
Not approved for adults over 65
Tablet must be swallowed whole and cannot be chewed or crushed
No FDA-approved use for any eating disorder
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