PlainPill

Adderall Xr vs Lisdexamfetamine for focus

Short answer: For focus, users rate them about the same: 90% report improvement with Adderall Xr (40 reports) and 87% with Lisdexamfetamine (200 reports).

Adderall Xr has 0 meta-analyses and 15 randomized trials on PubMed; Lisdexamfetamine has 58 and 112.

Based on 72 reports about Adderall Xr and 439 about Lisdexamfetamine. Not medical advice.

Adderall Xr
Medication
Lisdexamfetamine
Medication
Users say it helped49%helped42 reports · medium confidence41%helped281 reports · high confidence
Verdict
Mixed
Mixed
ResearchBResearch: ModerateAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs0 / 1558 / 112
Mainly used for
Focus
% reporting improvement
90% (40)87% (200)
Mood
% reporting improvement
33% (12)50% (82)
Energy
% reporting improvement
86% (14)61% (62)
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
20% (5)39% (36)
Sleep
% reporting improvement
0% (3)12% (17)
Common side effectsinsomnia, irritability, drowsiness, anhedoniaanxiety, insomnia, fatigue, irritability
Typical dose reportedNot listedNot listed
Adderall Xr
What a user said
“the stuff works for me real well with My prescribed Adderall XR.”
Full Adderall Xr profile →
Lisdexamfetamine
Latest review conclusion

Our findings represent the most comprehensive available evidence base to inform patients, families, clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers on the choice of ADHD medications across age groups. Taking into account both efficacy and safety, evidence from this meta-analysis supports methylphenidate in children and adolescents, and amphetamines in adults, as preferred first-choice medications for the short-term treatment of ADHD. New research should be funded urgently to assess long-term effects of these drugs.

Lancet Psychiatry, 2018 ↗
What a user said
“It's been a game changer for my focus and energy levels, really brought me back to life.”
Full Lisdexamfetamine profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate