Aptensio XR vs Vyvanse – detailed comparison:
Aptensio XR
It is the brand name of a medication called methylphenidate hydrochloride, a central nervous system stimulant.
It contains the same active ingredient as Ritalin and Daytrana.
This medication works by affecting some parts of the brain and central nervous system which control hyperactivity and impulses.
Inactive ingredients – hypromellose, sugar spheres, ammonio methacrylate copolymer, polyethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, methacrylic acid copolymer, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, gelatin, and titanium oxide.
Uses
This medication is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), and narcolepsy.
Dosage
It comes in capsule form and is available in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg doses.
The usual recommended starting dose for patients 6 years and above is 10 mg once per day in the morning.
Note – it is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.
Administration of this medication results in a biphasic pattern of methylphenidate plasma concentration with an initial peak at 2 hours postdose, gradually declining concentration over the next 4–6 hours, and a secondary peak about 8 hours postdose with gradually declining concentration thereafter.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- headaches;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- stomach pain;
- feeling nervous or irritable;
- nausea;
- mood changes;
- weight loss;
- increased blood pressure;
- loss of appetite;
- fast heart rate.
Rare side effects may include:
- penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer;
- a feeling like you might pass out;
- changes in your vision;
- trouble breathing;
- muscle twitches;
- chest pain;
- skin color changes in your fingers or toes;
- a seizure (convulsions);
- seeing or hearing things that are not real;
- unexplained wounds;
- paranoia;
- cold feeling;
- hostility;
- aggression.
Contraindications
Do not use this medication if you have used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor in the past 2 weeks, like – methylene blue injection, isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, or tranylcypromine.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication since alcohol use may cause methylphenidate to be released into the bloodstream too fast.
Drug Interactions
It may negatively interact with other medications, especially:
- clonazepam;
- Abilify (aripiprazole);
- hydroxyzine;
- adapalene topical;
- zioptan;
- gabapentin;
- Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine);
- sertraline;
- alprazolam;
- melatonin;
- aripiprazole;
- Trintellix (vortioxetine);
- BuSpar (buspirone);
- venlafaxine;
- lumigan;
- cyclobenzaprine;
- trazodone;
- doxycycline;
- temazepam;
- losartan;
- lamotrigine.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known exactly whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could negatively affect a nursing infant. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding an infant before taking this medication.
It is not exactly known whether this medication will harm a developing fetus. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before taking this medication.
Abuse
Central nervous system stimulants have a high potential for abuse. Symptoms of abuse include:
- abdominal pain;
- vomiting;
- increased heart rate;
- flushed skin;
- increased respiratory rate;
- tremors;
- loss of coordination;
- decreased appetite;
- insomnia;
- restlessness;
- increased blood pressure;
- hyperactivity;
- dilated pupils;
- excessive sweating.
Vyvanse
It is a brand name of a drug called lisdexamfetamine, a central nervous system stimulant.
This medication works by affecting chemicals in the nerves and brain that contribute to impulse control and hyperactivity. This can result in an increase in an individual’s capacity to focus over extended periods of time.
As with all other stimulant medications used to treat ADHD, lisdexamfetamine is believed to increase the flow of dopamine and norepinephrine.
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Uses
It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the maintenance treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children (ages 6 to 17).
In February 2015, this medication became the first and only medication approved to treat moderate to severe BED (binge eating disorder) in adults. Binge eating disorder is a condition described by recurrent episodes of eating in excess or binge eating.
Dosage
The usual recommended initial dose for adult patients is 30 mg orally once per day in the morning. The maintenance dose is 30 mg to 70 mg per day. The maximum dose is 70 mg per day.
The usual recommended initial dose for pediatric patients is 30 mg orally once a day in the morning. The maintenance dose is 30 mg to 70 mg per day. The maximum dose is 70 mg a day.
Note – this stimulant may be habit-forming, plus, it has a potential for abuse. Tell your doctor if you have had problems with alcohol or drug abuse.
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Contraindications
To be sure that this stimulant is safe for you, tell your healthcare professional if you have:
- coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);
- high blood pressure;
- bipolar disorder;
- a congenital heart defect;
- depression;
- kidney disease;
- mental illness;
- heart problems;
- high LDL and total cholesterol;
- blood circulation problems in the hands or feet;
- drug or alcohol addiction;
- liver disease;
- psychosis;
- suicidal thoughts or actions.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- diarrhea;
- decreased appetite;
- nausea;
- trouble sleeping (insomnia);
- a dry mouth;
- anxiety;
- irritability;
- upper stomach pain;
- loss of appetite;
- dizziness;
- vomiting;
- unexplained weight loss.
Less common side effects may include:
- extremely elevated mood;
- increased blood pressure;
- extremely high energy;
- pounding or fast heartbeat;
- pale stools;
- behavior changes (aggression, paranoia);
- rapid talking;
- mood swings;
- difficulty breathing;
- blurred vision;
- yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes;
- chest pain;
- sudden weight gain;
- hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there);
- decreased interest in usual activities;
- vision changes;
- a sensation of cold and/or numbness;
- swelling of the legs;
- poor concentration;
- racing thoughts;
- thoughts of suicide;
- new tics (involuntary vocalizations or movements);
- vomiting;
- slowed growth;
- white or purple discoloration of fingers and toes;
- impulsiveness.
Addiction
Although it is less prone to being abused, this medication is still converted into a stimulant drug, therefore, there is always the potential for abuse.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not exactly known whether this medication will harm a developing fetus. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before taking this medication.
It is not known exactly whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could negatively affect a nursing infant. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding an infant before taking this medication.
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Bottom Line – Aptensio XR vs Vyvanse
Aptensio (active ingredient – methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant that is used to treat attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain and nerves, which contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
After intake, approximately 40% of the active ingredient (methylphenidate) is delivered immediately; the other 60% is delivered slowly through the rest of the day.
Vyvanse (active ingredient – lisdexamfetamine) is a central nervous system stimulant medication that is used to treat ADHD in children (6 years old and older) and in adults. This stimulant works by affecting specific chemicals in the nerves and brain that contribute to impulse control and hyperactivity.
Lisdexamfetamine is actually a prodrug of the central nervous system stimulant dextroamphetamine. After intake, the average plasma elimination half-life of dextroamphetamine is approximately 12 hours.
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References https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4057639/ https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01328756