Comprehensive medication guide to {drug} including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a prescription stimulant medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children (ages 6+) and adults, and moderate-to-severe Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in adults. It is one of the most widely prescribed ADHD medications in the United States.
What makes Vyvanse unique among stimulants is that it's a prodrug — the molecule itself is inactive. After you swallow it, enzymes in your red blood cells convert lisdexamfetamine into its active form, d-amphetamine (dextroamphetamine). This conversion process provides a smoother onset and is thought to have a lower potential for misuse compared to other stimulants.
Vyvanse is FDA-approved for two conditions:
Vyvanse is not approved for weight loss, though appetite suppression is a common side effect.
Stimulant medications are the first-line treatment for ADHD and are effective in approximately 70–80% of patients. Vyvanse provides 10–14 hours of symptom coverage with once-daily dosing, making it one of the longest-lasting ADHD medications available.
Vyvanse has been on the market since 2007 with extensive clinical data. Generic lisdexamfetamine became available in August 2023, though it has been subject to significant supply shortages.
Having trouble finding Vyvanse? Medfinder helps you locate pharmacies near you with your medication in stock.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and prodrug. Unlike most ADHD medications that are active immediately, Vyvanse requires a chemical conversion step before it becomes therapeutically active.
Here's how it works:
In people with ADHD, the prefrontal cortex is often underactive. By increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity, Vyvanse helps improve focus, attention, executive function, and impulse control.
The prodrug mechanism gives Vyvanse its smooth onset and long duration. Because the body converts lisdexamfetamine at a limited rate, the medication provides steady therapeutic levels over 10–14 hours without sharp peaks and crashes.
This mechanism is also why Vyvanse has a lower abuse potential — snorting or injecting it doesn't bypass the enzymatic conversion step.
Effects typically begin within 1–2 hours of taking the medication.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is available in two formulations:
All capsule strengths are available as both brand-name Vyvanse (Takeda) and generic lisdexamfetamine, though generic availability varies significantly due to the ongoing shortage. Chewable tablets are currently brand-name only.
Vyvanse is designed for once-daily dosing, typically taken in the morning. As a prodrug, it must be converted by enzymes in the body into its active form (d-amphetamine), providing a smoother onset and longer duration — typically 10–14 hours of symptom coverage.
Capsules can be swallowed whole or opened and mixed with water, yogurt, or orange juice for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills. Your prescriber will typically start at 30mg and adjust upward based on response.
If your prescribed dose is unavailable, talk to your doctor or use Medfinder to locate the exact dose you need at a pharmacy near you.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is one of the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications in the United States — and one of the most frustrating to find at pharmacies right now. We've assigned it a findability score of 40 out of 100, meaning patients should expect significant difficulty locating this medication, particularly in generic form.
Generic lisdexamfetamine became available in August 2023 after Takeda's U.S. patent expired, with the FDA approving 15 manufacturers to produce it. However, despite this expanded manufacturer base, generic Vyvanse has been in continuous shortage since launch. According to the ASHP Drug Shortage Database, multiple manufacturers — including Sun Pharma, Teva, and Alvogen — have reported supply constraints. Sun Pharma has cited issues with the active ingredient, while Teva reports limited supply of 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg, and 70mg capsules.
The DEA increased the aggregate production quota for lisdexamfetamine by 22% in September 2025 and an additional 25% in October 2025. However, experts note that approximately 75% of the production increase was allocated for foreign demand, leaving only a modest increase for the domestic U.S. supply (Source: ADDitude Magazine).
A key factor making Vyvanse difficult to find is pharmacy economics. Many pharmacies lose money dispensing generic stimulants because insurance reimbursement rates are lower than the pharmacy's acquisition cost. This creates what's known as false scarcity — pharmacies may be able to order the medication but choose not to because they'll lose money filling it.
Based on pharmacy availability data, patients may need to call 5–10 pharmacies to find generic Vyvanse in stock. Brand-name Vyvanse (manufactured by Takeda) is generally available but costs $300+ per month without insurance, and many plans require prior authorization or step therapy before covering the brand.
Vyvanse is also available as chewable tablets, which many patients don't know about. These are often easier to find and many insurance companies will approve a prior authorization for the chewable form when capsules are unavailable due to the shortage.
The CDC has issued a health advisory regarding disrupted access to stimulant medications and the associated risks for patients who lose access to their prescribed treatment.
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Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, requiring a valid prescription. The following providers commonly prescribe it:
The DEA has extended telemedicine prescribing waivers through the end of 2026, allowing providers to prescribe Vyvanse via telehealth without an in-person visit.
Getting the prescription is often the easy part — finding a pharmacy with Vyvanse in stock is the real challenge. Medfinder helps you find pharmacies near you with availability — no phone calls required.
Yes, Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance under the DEA. This means:
While Vyvanse's prodrug design gives it a lower abuse potential than other Schedule II stimulants, it carries the same regulatory restrictions as Adderall and Ritalin.
Medfinder helps you find a pharmacy with Vyvanse in stock before your doctor sends the prescription.
Most side effects are mild and improve within 1–2 weeks.
Contact your provider if you experience:
Vyvanse may modestly increase blood pressure and heart rate. Because it's a prodrug with gradual onset, many patients report fewer crash/rebound symptoms compared to immediate-release stimulants.
If you can't find Vyvanse, there are several alternatives to discuss with your prescriber:
If you take Vyvanse for BED, alternatives include Topamax (topiramate, off-label) and SSRIs like Prozac (fluoxetine).
If you'd rather stick with Vyvanse, Medfinder can help you find it in stock near you.
Always inform your prescriber and pharmacist about everything you're taking.
Always consult your pharmacist before starting or stopping any medication while taking Vyvanse.
Vyvanse is one of the most effective ADHD medications available — with smooth, long-lasting symptom control and the only FDA approval for Binge Eating Disorder. But despite generic lisdexamfetamine launching in 2023, the ongoing stimulant shortage means finding it remains a real challenge.
Remember: Vyvanse is Schedule II with the same restrictions as other stimulants. Generic versions are in limited supply, and pharmacy economics create false scarcity on top of the real shortage.
If you're struggling to find it, ask about chewable tablets, brand-name Vyvanse, or alternatives like Mydayis, Dexedrine, or Concerta. And don't waste time calling pharmacies — Medfinder was built for this. We find pharmacies near you with Vyvanse in stock so you can stay on track with your treatment.
Search for Vyvanse availability near you and take the guesswork out of your next refill.
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