Vayarin vs. Adderall

Vayarin (lipirinen) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) are used to treat different aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Vayarin is used to manage certain lipid imbalances associated with ADHD.

Adderall is used to treat symptoms associated with ADHD. Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy.

Vayarin and Adderall belong to different drug classes. Vayarin is a medical food and Adderall is an amphetamine.

Side effects of Vayarin and Adderall that are similar include stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Vayarin that are different from Adderall include dry and itchy skin, tics, hyperactivity, and tantrums.

Side effects of Adderall that are different from Vayarin include nervousness, restlessness, excitability, irritability, agitation, dizziness, fear, anxiety, agitation, tremor, weakness, blurred vision, dry mouth or unpleasant taste in the mouth, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fever, hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increase blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations.

Vayarin may interact with anticholinergic and cholinergic medications.

Adderall may interact with heart or blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines), acetazolamide, chlorpromazine, ethosuximide, haloperidol, lithium, meperidine, methenamine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, reserpine, ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), potassium phosphate, antacids, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, sodium citrate and potassium, stomach acid reducers, or antidepressants.

Side effects of Vayarin include:

• abdominal pain,
• dry and itchy skin,
• tics,
• nausea,
• hyperactivity,
• tantrum,
• headache, and
• insomnia

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• talking more than usual, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision;
• feeling restless, irritable, or agitated,
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• fever;
• hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Vayarin (lipirinen) is a medical food used to manage certain lipid imbalances associated with ADHD.

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Adderall should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Adderall is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Adderall is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Adderall in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Adderall may harm others, and is against the law.

Vayarin may interact with anticholinergic and cholinergic medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.

Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• stomach acid medicines

Know the medicines that you or your child take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first.

The usual dose of Vayarin is 2 capsules daily or as directed by a physician.

• Take Adderall exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Adderall tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you first wake in the morning. One or two more doses may be taken during the day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Adderall can be taken with or without food.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Adderall treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Adderall. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Adderall. Adderall treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child take too much Adderall or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.