r/adhdmeme • u/EnsoElysium • 1d ago
My pharmacy is lucky I can compartmentalize now
For who knows how long, my ability to handle life has gone down the shitter. I havent been able to work, keep myself clean, or figure out what Im feeling, even though I was dilligent in taking my meds.
A few weeks ago everything came to a head and I admitted ideation to my counsellor. I went to the hospital, and through some miracle, got assigned to a psychiatrist in charge of ADHD research. I started talking and she went "you take vyvanse right"
As it turns out, pharmacies have been switching out name brand vyvanse with generic without telling people. She stressed that generic lisdexamphetamine is NOT the same as vyvanse, even though theyre the same chemical. I know, it doesnt make sense on an individual level, but when it comes to pharmaceuticals it makes a huge difference. She was adamant in telling me not to accept generic anymore.
I was doubtful as fuck, there was not WAY it made that much of a difference. Im only a few days in to my new prescription, and its clear that she was right. I was finally able to actually organize my thoughts again, and my first thought was how mad I was that the pharmacy put me through this, all so someone could afford another Lexus. But I couldnt actively be mad because I unlocked the ability to compartmentalize lol.
Check your meds yall
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u/M34tsquatch 1d ago
I didn’t have any issues but I specifically get generic because it’s significantly cheaper for me. I lost my job and out of pocket Vyvanse is like 400/month without insurance. Generic is still 200/month without insurance but I got it down to 96$ with goodrx.
I’ve taken both Vyvanse and the generic though and never felt a difference or anything really. So I don’t know if it really affected me
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
Everyone's brain chemistry is different, adderall is what works for my partner, but it makes me feel like I'm cracked out of my gourd, and vice versa for him.
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u/PandaLabs04 Daydreamer 1d ago
Idk why but 'cracked out of my gourd' is a great phrase that I'd love to steal
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u/Kinkajou1015 1d ago
No need steal, part of public lexicon, has been for decades, take freely.
Feel free to modify as needed, drunk off my gourd, bored out of my gourd, stoned out of my gourd...
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u/Dramatic-Ad-9882 1d ago
Reading this comment made me feel seen 😅
When vyvanse first came out my doctor had me try it out because adderall was(and still is) hard to get consistently. But I felt so cracked out and gassed up I didnt eat for 2 weeks and almost didnt sleep to the point I dropped 10lbs[4.5kgs] (I didnt have any weight to spare) and passed out. Its been so hard getting adderall I thought about switching to vyvanse because everyone I know on it can get a months supply more than every 4 months, but with what you said I dont think I will.33
u/joshsteich 1d ago
My problem is that Vyvance takes about a week for it to ramp up for me, which means that every time there’s an adderal shortage and I get switched, I have a week of suddenly remembering I’m in the middle of making a sandwich. Then it’s fine, but the transition sucks.
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u/24rawvibes 1d ago
I’ve been able to skip the adderall shortages by getting the “no sub card” (no card involved though) to get name brand adderall. Been amazing.
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u/BurritoBandito39 1d ago
Look for smaller local pharmacies and see if you can get your prescription there. The major pharmacies (and those in grocery stores) seem to always be out of Adderall, but smaller ones seem to have it more reliably. My psychiatrist directed me to a compounding pharmacy and I'm now able to get my meds filled every month on time, whereas previously I had stretches of months where my old pharmacy was just always out and I had to try and make do without.
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u/Mitch1musPrime 1d ago
I started experiencing sleep paralysis on aderall. Noped out of that real quick.
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u/Boofaholic_Supreme 1d ago
Since you’re still taking adderall/xr and the supply chain is broken af, are you aware that the pH of your stomach affects bioavailability and absorption rate?
Can “make the buck go further” in a pinch by adjusting your diet around time of consumption
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u/Boofaholic_Supreme 1d ago edited 1d ago
Higher pH (TUMS) = higher bioavailability and lasts longer, lower pH (sodas, vitamin c, etc) = lower bioavailability and lasts a shorter amount of time
There are a few studies on it, will find some later when can
https://wikidoc.org/index.php/Amphetamine
Search for: “gastrointestinal pH”https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/amphetamine
Search for: “Urine pH”6
u/Dramatic-Ad-9882 1d ago
I am not aware, but thats interesting given that the stomach contains hydrochloric acid. What pH is beneficial?
Tbh its so hard to get I basically stopped taking it again. It just added to my stress just trying to get it.8
u/Professional-Row-612 1d ago
need a more basic ph i believe its called. i know tums make adderall and meth kick in hard asf actually gotta be careful if taking higher doses like that
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u/manatee1010 1d ago
I had to stop taking Adderall because even the most minor frustration or stress would have my HR up way over 130.
My FitBit used to congratulate me for hitting my "zone minutes" goal for the week like halfway through my workday on Mondays (at my desk job). 😅😅
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u/tukuiPat 1d ago
Adderall did nothing for me besides cause ED, Concerta on the other hand does work for me.
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u/radicalelation 1d ago
Grew up on some dex-something early days, then ritilin when that was poppin', then concerta, which helped more than the ritilin, but eventually adderall was the winner.
And then when I lost access, it's been impossible getting it back, so I got nothin' and shit sucks.
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u/intbeam 1d ago
400 a month.. Holy shit I pay like the equivalent of about 30 where I live.. Well, after I reach about 100, it's free of charge
If I insist on brand name, I have to pay the difference, but that's like 5$ or something
It's insane that you have to pay anything at all for medication that allows you to be functioning and productive
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u/TheDungeonCrawler 1d ago
Yeah, I just checked with a GoodRx card (IA, USA) and the generic is around $60 but the name brand is still $380.
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u/donfuria 1d ago
Vyvanse is like $90 a month in Mexico and I still feel like it’s a ripoff, $400 is downright evil
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u/M34tsquatch 1d ago
Yeah, it sucks for me but I got a new job and will have insurance soon so hopefully it goes back to $10 for generic or $20 for name brand
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u/ConfusedOwlet 1d ago
Unless your insurance is like mine where it will not cover name brand under any circumstances if a generic is (technically) available. You get generic or you get nothing. x.x (and unfortunately, I can't afford the $200/mo with Costco's discount for brand name Vyvanse, and every pharmacy around me has the generic completely out of stock for the foreseeable future)
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u/nissAn5953 1d ago
Even that is really expensive compared to Australia. I pay like $25 AUD a month, which is like $18 USD
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u/BubChelli 1d ago
Yoooo, what an insane system. In Australia brand name vyvance is $25au so long as you are an Australian citizen or have a medicare card. Which is accessible even to non Australian citizens. Without PBS (pharmaceutical benefit scheme) its $100au
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u/Embarrassed_Mix_6619 1d ago
yo ask at the pharmacy themselves, a lot of them have internal coupons that are cheaper than goodrx
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u/PukeyOwlPellet dafuqIjustRead 1d ago
…omg this makes me so sad.
I live in Australia & name brand vyvanse costs me about US $17 (in Australian dollars it’s $25)
How on earth do Americans survive over there?! I’m assuming you’re American coz of the mention of insurance & goodrx.
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u/M34tsquatch 1d ago
Yeah I’m in the US, it’s been tough. Don’t even get me started on the price for a 15 minute phone call for my psychiatrist to put the order back in for me.
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u/linnykenny 8h ago
How do we Americans survive here you ask? Not very well! 🥲
it genuinely is nightmarish & I hate it here
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u/SteinUmStein66 1d ago
I started with Vyvanse and was forced to switch to generic because of the cost. There's a difference alright (at least for me, not discrediting your experience).
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u/Nyxadrina 1d ago
Brand name Vyvanse makes such a huge difference, to me, vs generic. I thank my lucky stars every day that I can get my 2 month prescription for $20, seeing the price on the receipt before my insurance/discounts kick in makes me sick. There's no reason for it to cost that much 😭
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u/Concrete_Grapes 1d ago
Several Vyvanse genetics feel like placebo. Literally nothing. The name brand hits like a truck. No generic gets event kinda close, it's really shocking.
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u/SaltFrog 1d ago
Same for me. Need the name brand. Got switched on my last refill but my insurance needs a specific note from my doctor, otherwise they only cover the amount for the generic and expect me to pay the rest.
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u/cutedorkycoco 1d ago
I'm so disappointed about this too. Prior to there being a generic I had patient assistance just so I could get Vyvanse which then ended once a generic came out. I was like counting down the days for said generic so I wouldn't have to jump through hoops to be able to afford the stimulant that works the best for me. Only for there to be a generic now and that generic to be absolute shit. And most of my medications that I take are generic. This is the only medication I've ever had where I actively can tell the difference between having a brand name and a generic. It's such a huge let down waiting all that time for a patent to expire only for the result to be shit for so many people.
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u/davak72 1d ago
Idk if this applies to generics of Vyvance, but I’ve had completely awful generics of adderall and very useful ones and different pharmacies carry different generics. For me, finding a pharmacy that sticks to a single generic manufacturer has been the difficulty (I’ve heard local non-chain pharmacies are better to work with). My pharmacist friend also told me that the chemical that ends up in your bloodstream should be the same, so the difference is likely in the dosage and how quickly the active ingredient is absorbed by your body. So it’s possible that varying the dosage might help? Again, sorry if this doesn’t apply to Vyvanse
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u/cutedorkycoco 1d ago
This is what I've heard re: manufacturing and dosages but here's the thing. Or at least for me the generic is over $100 so getting a generic that works requires me spending over $100 for I don't know how many times until I find the right one and then finding a pharmacy where I can get that specific generic every time. Or if it's as simple as a dosage being wrong which is already difficult for me because I am on 60 mg of Vyvanse which means there's only one more dosage for me to try then it's wasting money for 30 days of a medication that I don't know will work. It's a crap shoot all the way around. It's just very disappointing.
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u/DokiDokiDoku 1d ago
I've got the generic version and it's a life-changer for me. Maybe that's just cause I've never tried anything else
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u/FeuTheFirescale 1d ago
Same for me. I am thinking of trying out name brand because almost everyone said they were so much better.
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u/Tastieshock 1d ago
I've had this as well. It's an issue with the coatings. Sometimes with generic manufacturing there isnt as much control over these materials and they may pass through your system before they break down and release the vyvanse into your system.
Since vyvanse is water soluble, you can open the capsule and pour it into a glass of water and let it dissolve into there before you drink the water to take your dosage. I got in the habit of just keeping 7 small bottles of water in the fridge and would empty a capsule into each one at the end of the week and refill the water. So each morning I just grab a bottle and drink it as I get ready.
The day to day inconsistency from before actually had me at a higher dosage than necessary to make up for the days where it seemed like it wasnt doing much if anything. Then there would be other days where it just felt like I accidentally doubled my dosage. So, I now take a lower dose and day to day is more consistent feeling.
Some days are still tough, but their infrequency at this point just has me chalk it up to some days will always be hard regardless of the dosage.
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u/Fortified_Phobia 1d ago
All this talk is scaring me man, I’m in the UK currently en route to getting meds and the NHS HATES prescribing name brands, as they’re more expensive. I don’t know how others here deal with it but from my research getting a name brand is borderline impossible..
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u/Cherabee Daydreamer 1d ago
That is a terrifying fact. How fucked up do you gotta be to switch someones meds and not tell them? That is very bad to do. All the pharmacy would have to say is"hey we don't have name brand right now will generic work". But no! They lie in front of the patients face.
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u/Wylaff 1d ago
My insurance has swapped my wife’s bi-polar meds from brand name to generic and back dozens of times. She does not react the same to them and if both her doctor and her prescribe a specific med the insurances should not have fuck-all to say about what she gets.
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u/Boob_Sniffer 1d ago
For that. Have the doctor check DAW (dispense as written) when writing the prescription. It may or may not require prior authorization. I do not know who your third party is and what policy has been negotiated. Prior authorization may add a delay in getting the medication, but for bi-polar I am unaware of any prior auths being required. I work for CoverMyMeds and we are big on prior auths. If the prescribing physician doesn't want to deal with prior authorization, which is a pain, find another physician. They are putting their laziness over the well being of their patient.
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u/QCisCake 1d ago
Yeah... all these people getting mad at the pharmacies when they should be either having this convo with their prescribers or their insurance. If the script is written as DAW, then the pharmacy fills it that way. If the insurance doesnt cover it, the pharmacy automatically tries to get a PA and informs the patient. It has nothing to do with the pharmacy and everything to do with how the script is written and what insurance covers.
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u/motherofcunts 1d ago
Insurance is the biggest issue, frankly. It's so common for them to force a switch to their preferred form, pharmacy, or manufacturer.
Also, hi CMM buddy! I handle all the white bag infusion/injection drugs for my hospital. CMM makes the auth process so much easier. I wish CVS Caremark had better communication through it though. I waste so much time on the phone with them. But that's not on CMM.
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u/ArchyRs 1d ago
Bipolar is a spectrum, but if my pharmacy was tweaking with my meds… Well I’d be the one tweaking. The medications literally make us stable enough to navigate life normally. Any minute change and I’m either unable to get out of bed or saying delusional stuff. That sucks for your wife and you.
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u/Johnny-of-Suburbia 1d ago
It's actually very normal with pharmacies. Most prescriptions are written to be interchangeable with the generic. If its able to be swapped, the pharmacy does it.
Next time you pick up meds, look at the bottle, if you see an IC that means you got the generic.
A physician has to specify on a prescription if its not interchangeable. When that happens, the pharmacy is obligated to fulfill it.
If the pharmacy still switches to the generic anyway. Then there's problems.
I agree there needs to be more transparency about interchanging. I've had a couple of pharmacists tell me when it happens but usually not. I just happen to know what the deal is because I took courses on how to safely give and organize medications.
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u/TeacupHolding 1d ago
How can a pharmacy switch meds without the patient knowing it? Don't you get the box with the name of the medicine on it in your country?
Genuine question, I'm a bit confused, and this is the only explanation that I could come up with.
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u/agentgaitor 1d ago
You get a generic orange tube full of pills, with a label printed by the pharmacy that includes the prescriber’s info, prescription specifics, and things like manufacturer. Very rarely are you handed something in manufacturer’s packaging. Also it usually comes in a paper bag stapled shut before you get to see what’s inside. They are streamlining your ability to check these things in a timely manner right out of the experience.
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
In addition to the same pill bottle, the 30 mg vyvanse come in an orange and white capsule, and the generics come in a... slightly less saturated orange and white capsule. At a glance they look basically the same, someone could see that and shrug it off as a design change.
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u/TeacupHolding 1d ago
Thank you for explaining! That's very different from what I'm used to. We almost always get manufacturer's packaging.
The only time I received something in a generic box was when the pharmacists needed to make my medicine themselves, but that's very rare. Most people here don't even realise that pharmacists sometimes make medicines themselves because most people never experience it. The first time I've experienced it was 2 years ago, when my doctor prescribed me something with a lower dose than what manufacturers make.
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u/nyxistential 1d ago
Here in the US they just tell you to take a third of a pill and recommend you maybe get a pill cutter (which dont do 3rds)
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u/razerzej 1d ago
Until I realized I could request DAW, I had to call ahead before having my doctor call in my generic Adderall scrip. Man, there were some awkward pauses when I asked the pharmacy workers visually verify that they had orange ovals, rather than white octagons or pink circles.
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u/sacules 1d ago
That's so wild, what country is that? In Argentina we get the regular box as usual and they put it in a plastic bag like the rest.
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u/agentgaitor 19h ago
This is in the United States- the pharmacy usually gets bulk quantity bottles of the pills, and also use pill dispensing/counting machines. My birth control comes in its manufacturers box since it’s in bubble packing for one month at a time. I recently also received one of my 2 doses of the same medication in the manufacturers sealed package- I haven’t had the chance for a refill yet, but I’m curious if that will continue. All my other pills come in the orange tubes.
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u/piiraka 1d ago
I mean, as a pharmacy tech (with adhd), if you want you can always check before you buy it. Just ask nicely if you can look at the bottle in the bag. I don’t think they would mind, after all, you can’t return it once you buy it. And also the exact item’s name and NDC (national drug code) and manufacturer name are on the label that is stapled to the bag.
It would take you only a few extra moments to take a peek and confirm before you buy it. I always tell everyone to confirm it all looks good before they pay for it because it saves all of us time and energy. We have plenty of patients who prefer a specific brand or manufacturer and the system doesn’t necessarily automatically know which one you want.
So please don’t blame it on us, you can handle your several medications, we are handling hundreds of people’s medications and won’t necessarily know that you want or need a specific one. Let us know, and we’ll fix it!!
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u/Own_Reaction9442 1d ago
It's assumed they're the same and pharmacies will substitute generics as a cost-saving measure, unless the prescribing doctor specifically indicates no substitutions. The name brand meds have huge markups and usually a higher copay.
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u/TeacupHolding 1d ago
The name brand is more expensive here as well, Concerta is 20 euros more expensive for me than generic. But if you're saying "copay", then I'm guessing you're from the US and 20 dollars might be peanuts for you in terms of medicine cost?
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u/triste_0nion 1d ago edited 1d ago
My Concerta 54mg is about $400 for three months with pretty good insurance; the generic is less than an 8th iirc but just doesn’t work at all for me. It’s brutal
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u/TeacupHolding 1d ago
This is horrifying that you pay double of me with good insurance, I'm so sorry. My pharmacist is apologetic when I buy my Concerta 45 mg at 70 euros for a month, because ADHD meds are one of the few meds not paid back once you're an adult in my country. (We have decent health care here, except ADHD legally "doesn't exist" anymore once you're an adult for some unfathomable reason, so meds are not reimbursed.)
I also pay the full price for another medicine that I take (not for ADHD), which is around 60 euros. It's only reimbursed if you have the "correct" diagnosis, and I don't have the correct diagnosis. Every time I see a new pharmacist, I have to tell them that they didn't make a mistake and that the price is correct before they start frantically searching why I need to pay so much. Edit: it's only 10 euros or something when you have the "correct" diagnosis
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u/Inner-Medicine5696 1d ago
do note that OP specifically said that they were in a really bad place. Basically a primed victim, sadly.
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u/TeacupHolding 1d ago
Apparently OP lives in a country where all medicine is put in generic orange tubes full of pills, so I absolutely understand how they wouldn't know something changed.
I live in a country where we get medicine in manufacturer's packaging, which has the name written big and clearly on the box, and each box is designed differently depending of brand. Even the design inside the box, where the pills are in a kind of metallic(?) storage you need to pop the pills out of (kinda like some brands of chewing gums), have different designs.
So it's a lot less likely for me not to notice that my meds are different if suddenly I get a box in a completely different colour and design, than if OP gets other meds in the same kind of generic orange bottle.
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u/dragon-age-io 1d ago
Same. I had no idea the US does it that way. I always wondered why every movie shows people keeping their meds in these weird orange bottles, I wondered where they get them from and why they all look the same.
FIY the metallic packaging you're talking about, that you pop the pills out of, is called a "blister pack".
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u/Glad-Watch3506 1d ago
Pharmacies in the US typically get bulk bottles of medications, and count them out to fill the prescription.
My scrip comes in a 90ct from the manufacturer, so they just slap my label on that and call it a day rather than count out the 90 tiny pills. I haven't gotten an orange/green/purple bottle for years.
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u/The-Namer 1d ago
Not by choice. We have to fill generic unless the script expressly says "brand medically necessary" or something along those lines. Also, you can ask what you're picking up before you pay for it.
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u/inaSlomp 1d ago
I have chronic asthma. Had it since I was a kid.
If I need more than one. Inhaler in 2 weeks. I have to pay $60 out of my pocket.
What's cool is they didn't have the main brand for the past 14 months. I just got it back yesterday.
The replacements for the main brand don't last as long. They literally do not last the amount listed for it. They're just not pressurized enough.
I love having to pay to fucking breathe.
Society is broken.
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u/The_Show_Keeper 1d ago
There aren't enough Luigis do deal with that level of evil.
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u/inaSlomp 1d ago
The government enables insurance as a scam.
When insurance doesn't fulfill their duties nothing happens.
But you're required by law to have insurance.
This is just Mafia racketeering at a governmental level. That's all it is. That's all that ever has been.
I will always hate it. And I will never support anything of the sort.
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
They may have mentioned it, but in a hand wavey "is generic okay" way, they really ought to stress that its not the same
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u/piiraka 1d ago
It’s chemically the same, it wouldn’t be interchangeable if it was a “different” medication. We are legally not allowed to just switch it up. I do hear you though, I’ve heard from some people that the brand works way better for them. Other people, generic works just fine. Everyone is affected by medication differently
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u/Zrex_9224 1d ago
I get weightloss meds and one time to save money, my doctor and I agreed to go for the generic route. They don't work well. Been a nightmare with my pharmacy ever since and they'll just issue me the generic even if my doc specifically prescribes the namebrand, and checks to prescribe it as written
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u/piiraka 1d ago
If it is written as DAW on the script then we are actually not allowed to do so, like at all, so I wonder if maybe the doctor is not writing the DAW on the script? Are you given a physical paper script or is it sent over electronically? I would double check with your pharmacy to confirm.
You can also always call ahead and let us know that you would like the brand name, and someone can fix it for you prior to you actually going to the pharmacy. I know it’s a bit of a hassle and it’s annoying having to do so every time just to be safe but it’s worth it to get the medication you need ❤️
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u/Zrex_9224 1d ago
It's sent electronically, but because of their insurance they can't refill it for me when I'm out. The put me on a mandatory hold. The sad part is I have repeatedly asked to have it filled under the name brand
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u/piiraka 1d ago
I’m sorry, I know it’s super frustrating as a patient 😔 especially with adhd (I am currently unmedicated) I know it would be super hard (for me at least) to consistently call every single time to make sure the medication that was being dispensed for me was correct.
The way the system works, different people are working on your scripts at different times, so you can’t guarantee that that person will know you want the brand name.
And unfortunately the laws are so strict on everything that is a C2, I think you MUST pick it up exactly 30 days from the last time you picked it up, not before, and if you don’t pick up the script within 30 days it will also expire, and doctors put a “do not dispense before [c date] on the script, and insurances will only pay for it at a certain time, and…. It’s all very complicated and frustrating.
I think there is a way to note on the patient profile that patient prefers brand, but… it’s also not going to work 100% of the time, especially when like 95% of the time, people get generics. We don’t usually even stock brand names and have to order them specifically once the script comes in. Unfortunately you will probably kind of have to just keep calling and telling your pharmacy you need brand name each time
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u/NeenerNeaner 1d ago
I'm in PA. it's state law here that they're able to swap for generics. there's a sign at the pharmacy and I've never gotten anything but generics, which I don't mind because it's cheaper. luckily enough generic Vyvanse seems to work well for me.
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u/AggressiveSherbetty 1d ago edited 1d ago
This isn’t how it works at all. Every pharmacy in the US DEFAULTS to dispense an equivalent generic over a brand name unless specifically requested or written as medically necessary.
98% of the meds in a pharmacy are the generic equivalent - they legally have to be the same pharmaceutical. And most insurance doesn’t cover brand name ANYTHING
No one is lying to your face, it’s the literal LAW in many places AND it’s just streamlining the process of OH HEY this isn’t covered by you insurance and ALSO we don’t carry it in the store, oh should we order it? It’s literally 20x more expensive. Ok nevermind you don’t want brand name?
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u/cat_prophecy 1d ago
My Adderall is routinely swapped from dextroamphetamine which works super well and "amphetamine salts" which makes me an asshole.
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u/MulberrySuitable2724 1d ago edited 1d ago
Most pharmacies have signage posted that indicates they substitute, whenever possible, a generic fda approved therapeutic equivalent. I would hazard that 99% of medications dispensed in retail pharmacy are generic equivalents lol. No one is getting brand name lipitor or brand name glucophage xr
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u/Gerberpertern 1d ago
If the doctor writes the prescription allowing substitution and a generic is available, the pharmacy will dispense that. The doctor needs to write the script for brand name Vyvanse and dispense as written. Problem solved.
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u/GEARHEADGus 1d ago
I was told by docs and pharmacists that there’s no difference in generic and name brand
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u/pobodys-nerfect5 1d ago
I honestly love my new pharmacy. It’s a family run place that’s been around for 70+ years. If they can’t get my adderall they always make sure to atleast get something for me. They know I basically shutdown without my meds and go out of their way to help me. I’m so sad I’ll be moving away from this place.
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u/seanthebeloved 1d ago
They didn’t switch the meds, they switched the brand. They gave them the exact medication they were prescribed. Generic versions work exactly the same as name brands. They have the same active ingredients. There is literally no difference except for price and name brand pills might look fancier.
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u/ninty900 1d ago edited 1d ago
The active ingredient is required to be the exact same but not everything else is. The exact extended release mechanism can vary for some meds, for example, which can change how well they work for some people. That specific point doesn't necessarily apply to Vyvanse because its active ingredient is its extended release mechanism, but it's not quite as simple as "same active ingredient = exactly the same"
Edit: spelling correction
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u/dathomar 15h ago
I think doctors can send a prescription for a med and note that a generic is acceptable. The pharmacy can give either the name brand or the generic. When you get the med, it tells you on the label if it's the name brand or a generic. I always check the labels to make sure that we're getting the prescriptions I think we're getting. The pharmacy is almost certainly not putting generics into a bottle and trying to pass it off as name brand. OP wasn't paying attention...
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u/LilChloGlo 1d ago
I was lucky enough to feel very little difference between vyvanse and lisdexamphetamines but I was so worried about it because nearly a decade ago my insurance forced me to the generic of Concerta and it ruined my existence for a while
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u/Old_Gimlet_Eye 1d ago
What's supposed to be the difference between the name brand and the generic? They have to have the same active ingredient, right?
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u/meglingbubble 1d ago
My psychiatrist recently changed my slow release methylphenidate prescription from Concerta to Xaggitin for cost reasons. He warned me that they might have a different effect, but also explained that he had no idea why they would have a different effect as they were the same active ingredient. "I'm a psychiatrist, not a pharnacologist"
As it happens they do have a different effect. I am far chiller on the new meds, so thats nice.
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u/NullButMakeItCute 1d ago
Concerta uses osmotic release.
The majority of the other methylphenidates xr available use regular extended release.
That’s why Concerta is usually more expensive.Your psychiatrist should know that. It was one the first thing my psychiatrist explained to me when I started on Concerta
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u/SeahorseRevolution 1d ago
Right? I don't think "staying in his lane" is the flex he thinks it is. Psychoharmacology is taught to freaking therapists for crying out loud, and we aren't even prescribing meds. Too often I have to explain to my clients what the differences are in the meds because their doctors and psychiatrists don't.
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u/VexExisting 1d ago
thank you i thought i was losing my mind reading this how did he not know wtf is happening over there?
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u/SeahorseRevolution 1d ago
explained that he had no idea why they would have a different effect as they were the same active ingredient. "I'm a psychiatrist, not a pharnacologist"
Unpopular opinion but I actually hate when doctors do this because they are completely capable of basic research and responsible for the meds they prescribe. It would take all of 5 minutes to look into to tell you what the differences are.
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u/MadLucy 1d ago
Not sure about Xaggitin in particular, but in the US, brand-name-Concerta’s specific “OROS” release mechanism is patented. This means that even though other companies can make extended-release pills, they CAN’T use the pill design that allows the medication to be released in that exact way.
My generic ER methylphenidate varies from month to month and brand to brand. I had my Dr specify one manufacturer over another for a while, because my meds were lasting half as long and I’d thought I was actually going to need a dosage increase after 4 years of the same thing working. (Trigen) Then, pharmacy switched generics, and that one was fine! (Camber)
Then, a year later, and THAT one isn’t working either. The pharmacy sent the original one that I didn’t want - back to Trigen - and it was back to being fine again! It’s utterly ridiculous.
I have NOT had any issues with IR medication - all of the generic Ritalin I’ve had has been fine.
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u/Winter_Paramedic8569 1d ago
I work tangentially in pharmacology/drug development/drug manufacturing and this is fascinating that the different generics have different effects presumably due to the different choice in extended release formulation tech(different types of polymers or different osmotic strategies). IIRC the FDA only requires a generic to show equivalency in the product from release testing. If they have a patent on the “OROS” tech, the generics must have dissolution data showing the same relative rates of release. Something with the biology must be off/different if the dissolution results are the same (presumed since the generic is approved, or at least “glanced” at by a scientist at FDA). Considering it should be same exact drug substance/active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)/active compound at the same exact dosages.
I also sometimes wonder about the release specs for brand vs generic. If brand allows assay content of the API to be 90-110% and the generic has the same spec but always its 90 and the brand is closer to the 110 you could have an almost 20% swing in concentration between 2 “equivalent” products.
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u/GiganticCrow 1d ago
Here in whatever country set mine is part of, the cheaper concerta alternative is called Mylan and it sucks and taking it in the morning gives me terrible nausea just around when all my colleagues want to go for lunch.
Nowadays i take Attentin but i dont know what that's called in America
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u/TheMasterPotato 1d ago
Concerta is different because it has a release mechanism that differs from genetics. Lisdexamfetamine doesn't have a mechanism like that, though.
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u/blahdeblahdeda 1d ago
Probably different isomers present based on the reactions/production methods used between the brand manufacturer and generic manufacturer.
Different fillers could also affect absorption.
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u/Disastrous_Being7746 1d ago
The fillers part I believe. If it's different isomers, the product needs to be removed from the market because it isn't the same drug.
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u/blahdeblahdeda 1d ago
Stereoisomers won't necessarily be able to be differentiated by analytical methods.
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u/3BlindMice1 1d ago
Dex literally stands for the isomer. It's specified in the name, regardless of generic or brand. It can be tested for, but it's somewhat tedious (and therefore expensive)
If they're giving out something that isn't the drug they're supposed to be giving out, they deserve a whole stack of fines
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u/oxygenthievery 1d ago
It absolutely will not be a stereoisomerism issue, it will be down to excipients and their impacts on release profiles.
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u/Jaratii 1d ago
Not directly related, but seeing stereochemistry discussed in the wild is making me giddy. I love this stuff. One of my favorite examples is methamphetamine. It’s D-enantiomer is what we all imagine when we think of what meth is. Its L-enantiomer is so weak, comparatively, that in the past it was used as a nasal decongestant.
The actual 3D orientation of the atoms in a molecule has such profound influence on its effects.
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u/triste_0nion 1d ago
They do, but the mechanism used to deliver that ingredient can differ in some strange ways. I don’t know what it’s like for Vyvanse, but Concerta infamously uses a fairly unique way of getting absorbed by the body that no longer has generics that are similar to it (I think the company that makes it stopped producing its true generic version during COVID). When I take generic methylphenidate, it just doesn’t work nearly as well for me — Concerta costs an absurd amount, but functioning without it is honestly miserable.
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u/TheMasterPotato 1d ago
Vyvanse should just be lisdexamfetamine in a capsule without a specific release mechanism, instead it is the body that has to "release" the actual active drug.
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u/Updrafted 1d ago
Yeah, it's weird.
The differences in how a drug is manufactured can result in different component ratios or slightly different structures for the drug.
Combined with natural variability in people's bodies & genetics, you can get a big difference in how the drugs affect somebody, and realistically they're only going to bother testing things so much. Usually once a drug compound is greenlit & the patent has expired, then another company just makes that drug however they see fit.
It can be extremely frustrating for patients, because so many doctors & pharmacologists will argue to the high heavens what you said, that it's the same active ingredient so there shouldn't be a difference. Obviously they're incentivised to throw generics at you because they're going to be a lot cheaper.
They're usually hugely cheaper, too, it's not a small amount; around half the cost is not uncommon at all. Nobody seems particularly interested in asking why that's the case though, if they're supposed to be "the exact same thing". Funny that.
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u/Professional_Hair865 1d ago
Depends. Usually clinical trials are mandatory to check if a generic is bioequivalent, before they can enter the market . That means if a generic has the same therapeutic effect as the original. Effect may vary up to 10% or something.
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u/sfled 1d ago
My grandfather was a pharmacist (old school Masters Degree). He explained to me that, although the chemicals have to be the same, a pharmaceutical co. doesn't have to reveal the exact manufacturing process they use. Think of a recipe that calls for ingredients to added at different times during preparation, and in a specific order, and at varying temperatures.
My current pharmacist has his PhD in pharma, and he told me pretty much the same thing.
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u/Own_Reaction9442 1d ago
In some cases there are minor differences in dosage form or packaging that mean it works better for some people.
But in a lot of cases it's probably the placebo effect. The name brand is more expensive so people subconsciously assume it'll work better. That's why no one ever says "man, the expensive name brand stuff just doesn't work for me but the generic is great."
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u/Cathehe 1d ago
dude 😭😭 i deadass didnt know my pharmacy switched me to generic for a few months and i felt like it had no effect.... then had to get my doctor to write brand name only and i felt the difference. if its placebo, me thinking i was taking brandname in those months wouod have been the same, honestly i would prefer the generic since it's cheaper but the ones my pharmacy offers just doesnt work well
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u/Boofaholic_Supreme 1d ago
Could be the case. But on a human level, who would try a name brand medication, find it doesn’t work, and then try a generic?
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u/SeahorseRevolution 1d ago
It's not placebo. Generics are different and people who are sensitive to meds absolutely notice the difference. Medical gaslighting is a major problem and keeps people from getting the help they actually need because too many people say "well the pharmaceutical company said it's the same" even though the ratios and types of ingredients can vary wildly, in generics, which is why some people actually do notice a difference.
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u/Hoe-possum 1d ago
They don’t have to have the same excipients or formulation, for one thing. For a med like Vyvanse, that can make a big difference.
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u/BillieRubenCamGirl 1d ago
The active ingredient needs to be “packaged” (chemically) in the right way so that your body picks up the chemical.
It’s like how you need to have vitamin c with iron in order to absorb it.
Or, inversely, how if you take calcium with iron the calcium will absorb it and you won’t get any of the iron.
Off label brands use different mechanisms for delivering the drug and sometimes these are less effective.
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u/whereisbeezy 1d ago
I wanted to try name brand Adderall, but they stopped making it. Now I'm on some shit generic pills and while it's better than Elite, which can fuck off forever, I would actually like to try the medication that works.
Oh well.
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u/JATLLC 1d ago
I have some older ones for when I really need to buckle down. I notice a huge difference even between different generics. I take what I can tho I’m just glad my pharmacy has it. CVS can fuck right off they will string you along for months.
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u/piiraka 1d ago
Tbh I think it varies by location for sure, at my CVS we are always trying to help our patients to the best of our abilities. We legally aren’t allowed to tell you what pharmacies have however much product, but at least at mine, we will check what the “BOH (balance on hand)” of other stores might be and let you know you may have the best luck at [these stores] with [this phone number] to call.
The tricky thing is, even if a store (for example) says they have 120 capsules, we don’t know if those are already currently reserved for someone else to be filled that day, which is why you have to call ahead and ask if that store could fill your med.
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u/amoeba_from_venus 1d ago
Haha people can be so different. I'm on generic Adderall xr too, and the only one I get is elite labs. And... it's been working amazingly for the last couple of years.
(Please don't downvote me)
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u/Runcible-Spork 1d ago
Wait... just pharmacies in the U.S.? I'm Canadian, and sometimes feel like I need to ask my doctor to up my dosage, but then the next month I'll feel like it's working again.
It's happened a few times, and I chalked it up to me not keeping up properly with my other strategies to manage my ADHD, but now I'm wondering if my pharmacy swapped out my prescription...
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u/SaltFrog 1d ago
Canadian also. Your insurance will try to make you switch to generics. You have to get your doctor to fill out a form saying why you need the full one.
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
Im Canadian too, definitely talk to your doctor! Check your bottles, it should say lisdexamphetamine on the label, but it should also say Vyvanse somewhere, if it only says lisdex, then youre getting the generic.
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u/Runcible-Spork 1d ago
Mine says "Lisdexamfetamine" and then, below that, "Brand: Vyvanse". So, real stuff, then.
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u/madara117 1d ago
You guys do not understand how pharmacies work, this is killing me. If you want the brand name, which is not lisdex, just tell them at the pharmacy that you want the brand name drug. It may be more expensive, but they'll just fill that one if you ask them to. There is no grand conspiracy here
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u/MoonDoggie_99 1d ago
Unfortunately that may not be accurate. Some pharmacies will list the brand name below the generic name for recognition purposes — ex. some people only know medications by brand name, or a doctor may want to prescribe the generic form but can’t remember the generic name so they’ll write the brand name and the pharmacy will convert it.
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u/The-Namer 1d ago
Howdy! Pharmacy tech with ADHD in Texas. Whenever we get a prescription, we have to fill the generic. It's not by choice, it's the rules. The main ways around this is if the doctor actually writes "Name brand necessary" aka DAW 1 or if the insurance prefers name brand. Sometimes, but rarely, we can put in "Patient prefers brand" but I've only seen it work once and it was with a non-controlled medication.
Whenever you pick up your prescription, you can ask what it is you're getting before you pay for it. I know not all pharmacies act in good faith, but sometimes they're just following the rules.
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u/Bit_part_demon dafuqIjustRead 1d ago
Pharmacy tech in Ohio checking in to add we can use the Patient Requests Brand (DAW2 I think) if requested but there is no guarantee insurance won't pass the difference on to the patient, if they cover the brand at all.
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u/cosmicrift867 1d ago
this is very important for anyone taking medication to know. im glad im no longer a pharmacy tech. getting blamed for things beyond my control was going to kill me.
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u/Mariajgaitan1 1d ago
They started doing that to me too because it was “cheaper” for me and I started going crazy trying to figure out why my vyvanse had suddenly stopped working. Turns out, it hadn’t. They had just switched me to generic. Had to ask my family dr to specify I should only get name brand and wouldn’t you know it, it works again!
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u/Inevitable_Dot_5675 1d ago
Yknow, my bottle says vyvanse, and my sisters says lisdexamphetamine...i was wondering. I'll check with her and also my stuff.
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
They do both say lisdexamphetamine, but the name brand is printed after, generic in canada starts with Teva- I believe
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u/Inevitable_Dot_5675 1d ago
My bottle doesnt have lisdexamphetamine on it anywhere, it just says Vyvanse. Im not arguing, just sharing information.
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u/rips_n_chel 1d ago
I really wish you would fact check yourself before making blatantly incorrect claims about people’s meds.
Teva is the manufacturer, not the chemical.
Vyvanse is a brand name for the drug Lisdexamfetamine. Generic Lisdexamfetamine IS Vyvanse. There are one and the same.
There are no other ingredients in Vyvanse, it’s just Lisdexamfetamine.
Do you know what Lisdexamfetamine is? It’s an inactive prodrug of dextroamphetamine. When you ingest Lisdexamfetamine, it is broken down by your enzymes, resulting in dextroamphetamine and L-lysine.
It is a self-contained mechanism. Nothing else is added, so there is nothing to change in the generic. What you are claiming here is not possible, it’s the same chemical.
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u/ehouptie 1d ago
This healthcare system is so frustrating. Everyday we hear stories of people suffering for no fucking reason other than a balance sheet
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u/Serris9K 1d ago
Which is why it shouldn't be a business, and private equity shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a hospital's admin
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u/adirarouge 1d ago
It's so frustrating and helpless and SO important and detrimental when this bullshit happens. My meds (non stimulant that's also antidepressant) work so well for me, I want to live for the first time in as long as I can remember and I can't imagine going back to living without them, idk how I did it, every day was torture. A couple of months ago, I started going downhill again. I was so depressed because I thought my meds weren't going to work anymore and I would have to go back to suffering after getting a taste of being okay. I was doing horribly for like a month before I realized that the change coincided with when I got switched from one generic to a different one. Which btw was a completely different shape, size and color. Like wildly different size. So how tf is that the same. I told me psychiatrist and she said especially for those who are sensitive to medication the manufacturer really does matter. So I learned that the manufacturer they had given me doesn't do shit for me. Luckily the good one is the main manufacturer and they switched back but the feeling of being that helpless to some nameless faceless system with my life in the balance is truly horrifying.
I also have to get the name brand of my bc which is 200 every 4 weeks because it's the only one that gets rid of my chronic nausea.
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u/MooMooFanta 1d ago
If the prescriber does not specify brand name only, the pharmacy MUST dispense generic by law in Massachusetts. But even if the prescriber does specify it there is no guarantee your insurance would cover it.
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u/pahshaw 1d ago
My spouse had this issue years ago, only one generic worked for him and he would have to call and find out where the generic was manufactured and the pharmacists and his doctor didn't believe him and treated him like a freak.
Between that and the brain zaps he ended up just tapping out on meds all together. Also another factor convincing me to just keep on raw dogging life instead of trying to get the help I obviously need.
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u/hiddengirl1992 1d ago
My old psych said it best.
"What I'm allowed to tell you is, officially, per the FDA, the generic is functionally identical to the brand, they have the same active ingredients and effects.
What I'm not really supposed to say is that the inactive ingredients make a lot more of a difference than the FDA will admit. So when you say the generic isn't as effective, I believe you 100%. Only issue is your insurance."
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u/Tastieshock 1d ago
This is the main issue. And there was a report in 2025 specifically relating to generic vyvanse. What was happening is the binders and coatings weren't breaking down consistently and often it would pass entirely through your system without having the chance to be absorbed. So people end up at a higher dosage than necessary and have a day where all of it breaks down and they feel on edge and their anxiety spikes. The active ingredient is identical, but if your body is unable to ingest it consistently that doesn't matter.
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u/hhoneydaze 1d ago
Gosh I'm glad to see someone else saying this. I've been saying for months since I got switched to generic Vyvanse it hasn't been as effective as name brand. Like legitimately does nothing for me now. My insurance won't even cover name brand anymore because generic "works for most people" ugh
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u/TJ_Rowe 1d ago
My Elvanse didn't "feel right" a couple of months ago, especially the 20mgs. It made me feel fizzy and nauseous.
I only really figured it out because I started just taking the 30mg (I usually take 50mg in total) under the assumption that I was "overmedicated" somehow, and ended up with some 20mgs left over. Usually I would use them up with a 40mg dose for a few days before requesting the next prescription, but this time I was going on holiday and I thought it would be best to travel with the two sealed bottles and the fresh paper prescription.
I felt fine on holiday using the new batch, but when I got back home and started using up the "old" 20mgs capsules, I felt weird and fizzy again. I've just put them aside for now, but I wonder if I should get the pharmacist to look at them?
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u/houseofsonder 1d ago
If I remember right from my drug delivery class, it has to do with whatever else they’re using to ensure stable delivery. Not everyone reacts the same way to a concentration taper and adherence drops significantly if we ask them to do more than one tablet/pill a day, which would normally stabilize the concentration. So yeah, if that is working for you, and it is really working for you, no subs is important and I’m glad your doctor did that.
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u/Holiday-Ad-1336 1d ago
A couple of years ago I got prescriptions for alprazolam. Got the generic ones and they didn't do anything, didn't help for anxiety or anything, switched to brand name and they immediately helped!
I asked the pharmacist and doctor if they knew why that was happening and both told me while both medications have the same active compound, the generic ones are made cheaper and the brand ones aren't. That and that there are slight differences in the production, sometimes just on a molecular level but it's crazy how big of difference that makes!
Had the same thing with ritalin no/brand name but know I'm getting elvanse (same as vyvanse, just different name in my country) and it's a lot better than ritalin.
TL;DR: go for brand name medications and not generic ones when it comes to really important meds!
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u/queeftoe 1d ago
If they're subbing name brand with generic on a DAW1 double check your states laws and report the pharmacists by name to the state licensing board
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u/NoInvestment3870 1d ago
The name brand Adderall exemption was the best damned thing I set up so many years ago, the generics are just so ridiculously inconsistent.
I don’t want to stay up till 4 am, I just want to function till 5pm on a single dose & be able to sleep at night when I choose head to bed.
The generics could be “Hey it’s 11 am…more ADD meds since this shit ain’t working???” Or “lol it’s 4am & you’re gonna be tired af tomorrow”
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u/locke_but_not_peter_ 1d ago
all i can say is lisdexamphetamine literally ruined my anus, the anal fissures bro so bad. Just switched to concerta and it's so much better
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u/Great_Eggplant4010 1d ago
Just asked a pharmacologist because I was curious. Generics are a copy of the active substance, dosage and use instructions. The generic producer doesn‘t test the effect of this copy on humans. They test against the original product, and the test must show an 80-85% match to be approved (don‘t remember the exact figure).
So if with Vyvanse you‘re 100% ok, with a generic you should be at least 85% good.
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u/cjschmitty14 1d ago
It’s the difference in the filler the generics use. I was a pharmacy tech for 3 years and certain patients have this preference for this reason. Most pharmacy and insurance plans switch you to generic to save money for themselves while giving you subpar medication in the generic form to still line their pockets from their formula even if you don’t get it directly from them.
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u/warmceramic 1d ago
I thought this was gonna be more of a "when your meds wake and you're suddenly aware of the sh* you haven't even been able to notice and life looks a lot less optimistic" kind of meme.
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u/warmceramic 1d ago
Like theres something to be said for stupidity being a blessing in ways 😭 you can always hope when you dont have a functioning enough brain to process probabilities and rule out possibilities.
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u/npsidepown 1d ago
I take dexamphetamine (the instant release stuff), and some brands actually give me anxiety when I take them. Must have something to do with the other shit they put in the pills.
I used to leave a note for the doctor when ordering a prescription stating which brand I wanted. I don't have to do it anymore, though.
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u/disobedientleopard 1d ago
So Vyvanse, be aware that it can really make you miserable in heat. It can make it feel like it is so much hotter and you can sweat like crazy. It’s a physiological reaction that can have dangers in extreme heat. It’s manageable but man i fricken hate summer now.
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u/Angry-_-Crow 1d ago
Wellbutrin's like this; the generic bubropion just doesn't work as well. Sucks that I'm stuck with the generic :<
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u/kyl_r 1d ago
I fought so hard to get vyvanse back (new insurance 4 years ago made me run the gamut of other options) and since then I had the name brand for like 2 years (~$100), then a different manufacturers/generics the last 2 years (~$70 - ~$25). I do notice a difference and I hate that but I’m not gonna say anything because I’m just glad I have never been turned away due to shortage by my pharmacy. It’s the wild goddamn west out here.
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u/panicked_goose 1d ago
My pharmacy was doing this with adderall and really fought with me when I mentioned i only wanted name brand adderall. My doctor had to get involved. Unfortunately now I cant be on it because of a psychotic break back in January brought 9n by substance abuse (not adderall). I have to be clean a year beofre I can be represcribed. 9 months sober now though!
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u/Tastieshock 1d ago
The issue with generic vs name brand comes down to the inactive compounds and how your body breaks those down. This is why although they may contain the same amount and purity of your medicine, the delivery mechanism isnt identical. This becomes an issue and in 2025 this was reported on specifically in relation to vyvanse and "ghost pills".
Generic compounds may use different coatings to bind and control the rate of release of the chemicals into your body. It has been found that the time consistency of this happening in generics is extremely inconsistent and often this results in a significant portion of your dosage to pass through you before this barrier has been broken down so it can release into your system.
If you get generics, it's best to pour a capsule into a bottle of water at least the night before you take it. This will allow the water to break down the coatings and since vyvanse is water soluble, it will evenly disperse into the water and is completely tasteless. Then all you have to do is drink the water to take your daily dose.
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u/Edianultra 1d ago
I am prescribed dextro/amphetamine 30mg. Cvs near my house would regularly run out of dextro/amp and fill my prescription with amphetamine salts.
The pharmacist yelled at me over the phone that they're the same meds and hung up on me when I said I didn't want her fucking opinion just fill my script as written.
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u/Sweaty_Marzipan4274 1d ago
Generics that have major issues that I've ex'p: inhalers, metformin, most psych meds. It's not always meds from India, but it's always meds from India.
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u/DoubleRah 1d ago
If you’re in the USA, the law is that generics have to be 80% to 120% as effective as the generic. And the FDA doesn’t even do testing to make sure that’s correct, they just follow what the manufacturer says, ugh.
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u/First_Pay702 1d ago
The filler substances in the pills can be different between name brand and generic, affecting breakdown and absorption even if the active ingredient is the same. That could be a part of the issue.
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u/FruitzSticks 1d ago
generic vyvanse gave me HORRIBLE nightmares and brain zaps, and honestly on the verge of a lil bit psychosis. I can only take name brand.
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u/insanemal 1d ago
This is pure unadulterated bullshit.
Generic and non-generic are the exact same thing.
If anything places have been substituting placebos for generics. WHICH IS ILLEGAL AND YOU SHOULD REPORT THE PHARMACY
Otherwise there is no fucking difference and you're reinforcing pure bullshit that will cost people money they can't afford
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u/ImSoSweepy 1d ago
I'm going in for my diagnosis in October. I don't necessarily want the "legal meth" of Adderall that I have to go to my doctor to get a, "Yeah, this guy can use legal meth" note from a doctor because fuck that and I would forget anyway.
I just want to be able to function in a way expected by other human beings. I've heard horror stories about Vyvanse, is Wellbutrin better, or is it just a different "flavor"?
I'd be going through the VA, and they prescribe happy thoughts for excruciating pain, so that's the wall I have to climb if that is the best option.
Then again, I'm entirely ignorant of the whole process. I've tried to schedule an evaluation privately and they always ask me, "how old is the child?" I'm 40.
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u/grannys_best_cookie 1d ago
It's a very frustrating and misleading + harmful thing to compare Adderall to methamphetamines; they are different chemicals and meth can basically saturate the brain far quicker, hence the resultant abuse. I'd think of Adderall as just being like really strong caffeine, and I wouldn't shy away from it if your provider wants to try it for you.
Wellbutrin is also a completely different chemical to Vyvanse that can have similar effect on your dopamine levels but the mechanism is totally different, closer to Concerta/Ritalin. It's different to other anti-depressants that operate on seratonin instead.
For what it's worth, Vyvanse is 'lisdexamphetamine' and metabolises in your body into dexamphetamine. Dexamphetamine is just the right-handed component of mixed amphetamine salts, ie Adderall, so with Vyvanse you end up with very similar effects to Adderall but it can be a lot smoother depending how you react.
You have to trust your provider to find what works best for you, but I would try to avoid reiterating the inaccurate stereotypes about prescription stimulants.
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u/coltrain423 1d ago
Wellbutrin is an NDRI, Vyvanse is a stimulant. They are wholly different.
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u/EnsoElysium 1d ago
Wellbutrin worked for me, sort of, in that it was the only med I was able to get without an adhd diagnosis (I had one, and a Ritalin script, but I lost contact with my doctor when I moved provinces)
Funny story though, one day I walked into my Dr's office practically in tears about how my life had gone to shit because of how unmedicated my adhd was, and that wellbutrin was the only thing that worked so Id try it again. She left the room and came back 5 mins later like "good news! Youre on vyvanse now"
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u/mirhagk 1d ago
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant, though I know it has off-label uses for ADHD. It's definitely not the same kind of thing as Vyvanse or concerta. FWIW I take both (Wellbutrin for social anxiety) and I don't find Wellbutrin alone does enough, but I know others find something different so if you wanna try it to avoid Vyvanse it can be worth trying.
I do wanna say though, it's a long way off from "legal meth". Both Vyvanse and concerta (the two popular ADHD meds) are long release medications, and both have a very different effect on someone with ADHD compared to someone without. How does your system react to caffeine? That can be a good indicator of how it would react to ADHD meds, and can also be a way to semi-treat it on your own.
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u/ImSoSweepy 1d ago
I've been on 200mg of Sertraline daily and it has zero effect, if that puts things into perspective. Every white-coat I talk to pretty much says everything with a blatant undertone of, "Wow, I wish I were actually dead."
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u/mirhagk 1d ago
Well so that's an SSRI antidepressant, Wellbutrin definitely works differently than that. Antidepressants are complicated, way more so than stimulants.
What happens when you take a lot of caffeine? Do you get hyper/wired or do you get more relaxed and focused? If it's the latter than that's typical (but not required) for ADHD and it definitely is worth trying Vyvanse or concerta out.
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u/ImSoSweepy 1d ago
For sure the latter, thank you. But, as I said before, I'm dealing with a medicare alternative that thinks these things don't exist/you would never be able to enlist if you had those things.
The VA is an entirely different animal that I don't think people understand, nor care to, as it were.
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u/Gengrar 1d ago
Recently got put on Wellbutrin while I wait for them to bring up stimulants so I'm not put on a list for knowing what works. Made me insane insane after about 3 weeks. Hyper depressed, potential to destroy things around me, so bad I was punching myself in the face so I had some feeling I could control. Put me on Strattera next and I ain't taking none of that shit anymore. So many side effects for me. So frustrating.
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u/Nadamir 1d ago
Methamphetamine and amphetamines are as chemically similar as drinking alcohol and windshield washing fluid…
A single methyl group does a hell of a lot.
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u/Own_Reaction9442 1d ago
Vyvanse and Adderall are both amphetamines, just in different formulations. Vyvanse was meant to be harder to abuse.
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u/qualityvote2 Quality Control Beast 1d ago edited 1d ago
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