PlainPill

Dextroamphetamine vs Lisdexamfetamine for focus

Short answer: For focus, users rate them about the same: 88% report improvement with Dextroamphetamine (48 reports) and 87% with Lisdexamfetamine (200 reports).

Dextroamphetamine has 48 meta-analyses and 119 randomized trials on PubMed; Lisdexamfetamine has 58 and 112.

Based on 121 reports about Dextroamphetamine and 439 about Lisdexamfetamine. Not medical advice.

Dextroamphetamine
Medication
Lisdexamfetamine
Medication
Users say it helped43%helped81 reports · medium confidence41%helped281 reports · high confidence
Verdict
Mixed
Mixed
ResearchAResearch: StrongAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs48 / 11958 / 112
Mainly used for
Focus
% reporting improvement
88% (48)87% (200)
Mood
% reporting improvement
41% (17)50% (82)
Energy
% reporting improvement
84% (19)61% (62)
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
38% (8)39% (36)
Sleep
% reporting improvement
25% (4)12% (17)
Common side effectsanxiety, tolerance, insomnia, withdrawalanxiety, insomnia, fatigue, irritability
Typical dose reportedNot listedNot listed
Dextroamphetamine
Latest review conclusion

Overall, despite a class effect of improving clinical response relative to placebo, there were few differences among the individual ADHD pharmacotherapies, and most studies were at risk of at least one important source of bias. Furthermore, the certainty of the evidence was very low to low for all outcomes, and there was limited reporting of long-term adverse events. As such, the choice between ADHD pharmacotherapies may depend on individual patient considerations, and future studies should assess the long-term effects of individual pharmacotherapies on patient-important outcomes, including qu

PLoS One, 2020 ↗
What a user said
“Keeps me focused without the anxiety Adderall started giving me; it helps me relax even.”
Full Dextroamphetamine 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 →

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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