The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of generic medications (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in patients 6 years of age and older in response to the ongoing drug shortage for ADHD. According to the FDA’s notice, chewable tablets and capsules are both forms in which Vyvanse is sold.
Dr. Barry K. Herman, a board-certified psychiatrist and the chief medical officer of Mentavi Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which offers mental health assessments, is optimistic that the availability of these new generic medications will assist to alleviate the ongoing shortage of ADHD medications.
“Hopefully, manufacturing will now scale up quickly to meet this urgent need. The FDA made the review and approval of these generics a priority,” he told Fox News Digital.
These generic medications are created to function and offer benefits identical to those of their brand-name counterparts. According to Herman, “Generic drugs are approved based on their bioequivalence to the brand drug.” Theoretically, that should make both function similarly, but occasionally, patients may believe they perform better on the branded drug.
Although some people may suffer distinct adverse effects from the brand-name medication, he stated that potential negative effects are probably the same. As of right now, 14 businesses are authorised to produce and distribute generic Vyvanse.
Herman commented that it “should help address the medication shortage, especially of Adderall.” However, it can take some time before generic drug production and distribution can keep up with the demand. According to Herman, the price of generic Vyvanse should be significantly lower than that of brand-name ADHD medications.
“Having many companies manufacture and sell the drug will generally drive the cost down,” he claimed. Whether you have insurance, the pharmacy you choose, and the dosage of the prescription can all affect the cost.
In October 2022, the FDA first reported a shortage of Adderall and other ADHD medications. The drug primarily impacted by the shortage is Adderall (amphetamine mixed salts), along with various methylphenidate formulations marketed as Ritalin or Concerta.
Adults with moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) can be treated with Vyvanse. Many people who are presently affected by the medicine shortage should benefit from this, according to Herman. It could not be more convenient to have a generic medication that is approved for both adults with moderate to severe binge-eating disorder and ADHD in children and adolescents ages 6 and up.
