What is the average monthly cost of Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) 20 mg a day in Canada?

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Average Monthly Cost of Vyvanse 20 mg Daily in Canada

The specific pricing for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) 20 mg daily in Canada is not available in the current evidence base, and you should contact the manufacturer (Takeda/Shire) directly or check with Canadian provincial drug formularies for accurate current pricing. 1

Key Pricing Considerations

Why Direct Pricing Data is Limited

  • The evidence provided focuses primarily on U.S. pricing through Medicare AWP (Average Wholesale Price) and NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) systems, which do not apply to the Canadian market 2
  • Canadian pharmaceutical pricing operates under different regulatory frameworks with provincial drug benefit programs that negotiate prices independently 3
  • Generic versus brand-name price differentials vary significantly between the U.S. and Canada, with no consistent pattern—some medications are cheaper in Canada while others are more expensive 4

Practical Steps to Obtain Canadian Pricing

Contact the manufacturer directly: Takeda/Shire offers patient assistance programs and can provide current wholesale pricing specific to Canada 1

Check provincial drug formularies: Each Canadian province maintains its own drug benefit list with negotiated prices that may differ substantially:

  • Ontario Drug Benefit List provides government-negotiated prices 3
  • Provincial formularies determine coverage and out-of-pocket costs 1

Consult your pharmacy benefit manager: Insurance coverage significantly impacts final out-of-pocket costs, including tier placement and copay requirements 1

Important Context About Cross-Border Price Comparisons

  • Brand-name medications purchased from Canadian sources have historically shown mean savings of approximately 24% compared to U.S. retail prices, though this varies considerably by medication 5
  • However, government-negotiated prices in Canada may show smaller differentials than retail price comparisons suggest 3
  • Generic medication pricing shows no consistent advantage in either country, with 63% of generics actually cheaper in the U.S. in one analysis 4

Dosing Information for Cost Calculation

  • The standard starting dose is 20-30 mg once daily, with weekly titration by 10 mg increments 1
  • Maximum approved daily dose is 70 mg 1
  • For a 20 mg daily dose, you would need a 30-day supply of 20 mg capsules (30 capsules total)

The most reliable approach is to contact Takeda/Shire Canada directly and check your specific provincial drug benefit program for accurate current pricing, as published pricing data for Canadian markets is not available in the medical literature. 1, 3

References

Guideline

Cost of Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

How cheap are Canada's drugs really?

Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques, 2004

Research

Differences in generic drug prices between the US and Canada.

Applied health economics and health policy, 2008

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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