Paul asked
My son has been on Vyvanse for years, but it is so expensive! When is it going to be available generically?
Answer
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not scheduled to be available generically until February 2023. This is according a summary judgment that upheld the patent held by Shire, the manufacturer of Vyvanse, against generic manufactures who were looking to produce the drug generically.
Since Vyvanse is only available as the brand name and not generically, it is very expensive, especially when your insurance doesn't cover it. If cost is an issue in your situation, be sure to talk to your doctor about alternative amphetamine products that are available generically, such as Adderall.
What Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a prodrug, meaning that it is pharmacologically inactive until converted in the body to the active compound, dextroamphetamine. It is a stimulant medication, used for the treatment of ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
Vyvanse was initially devised as it was, as a prodrug, to reduce the abuse potential since it will not be as effective if snorted or injected. After taking by mouth, the absorption is slower than dextroamphetamine, reducing the chance of euphoria at indicated doses.
After taking by mouth, maximum concentrations are reached in about 3.5 hours. It can be given with or without food, but when given with food, it prolongs the time to maximum concentration by nearly one hour. Vyvanse it typically dosed once daily, in the morning.
