Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Lisdexamfetamine(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Lisdexamfetamine
Vyvanse
CNS Stimulant (Prodrug Amphetamine) · C-II
FDA-approved indications
- ADHD (adults; pediatric 6+)
- Moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder (adults)
Off-label uses
- Treatment-resistant depression (augmentation)
Half-life~1 hour (prodrug); d-amphetamine: 10 to 13 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Lisdexamfetamine
Consider when
- ADHD with abuse/diversion concern — prodrug (lysine-conjugated d-amphetamine) requires enzymatic cleavage; reduced abuse potential vs IR amphetamine
- Binge eating disorder — only stimulant FDA-approved for BED; reduces binge days/week in adults
- Smooth, extended coverage needed — prodrug pharmacokinetics provide consistent 12–14 hour coverage without peaks and troughs
- Adult ADHD where amphetamine class is preferred — large effect sizes consistent with mixed amphetamine salts
Consider an alternative when
- Cost is a primary constraint — brand-only pricing (Vyvanse); generic amphetamine salts or methylphenidate are far cheaper
- Cardiovascular disease — same class warnings as all amphetamines; sudden death, stroke, MI risk in structural cardiac disease
- Severe anxiety comorbidity — amphetamine-class anxiety exacerbation; non-stimulants may be preferred
- Flexible dosing granularity needed — capsule formulations only; cannot split tablets for fine dose adjustment
- +1 more
| Axis | Lisdexamfetamine stimulant |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Mania / hypomania induction | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
| CNS | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Seizure risk | |
Tics / Tourette's exacerbation | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight loss | |
Appetite suppression / anorexia | |
| Pediatric | |
Growth suppression (pediatric) | |
| Autonomic | |
Dry mouth (xerostomia) | |
Sweating | |
| Cardiac | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| Vascular | |
Peripheral vasculopathy / Raynaud's | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
Serotonin syndrome risk | |
MAOI co-administration contraindication | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |