Adderall Equivalent Dose for Vyvanse 30 mg
Start with Adderall XR 10-15 mg once daily in the morning when converting from Vyvanse 30 mg, as this represents approximately a 2:1 conversion ratio based on the prodrug conversion mechanism and clinical dosing guidelines. 1
Conversion Rationale
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prodrug that undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis in the blood to release dextroamphetamine, with the l-lysine amino acid cleaved off through rate-limited conversion 1, 2
The conversion from Vyvanse 70 mg to Adderall XR 30 mg (approximately a 2.3:1 ratio) provides the framework for proportional dosing, meaning Vyvanse 30 mg would convert to approximately 10-15 mg of Adderall XR 1
Lisdexamfetamine produces a lower peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and extended time to peak (Tmax) compared to an equivalent dose of immediate-release amphetamine, which explains why lower Adderall doses are needed 3
Practical Dosing Options
Extended-Release Formulation (Preferred)
- Begin with Adderall XR 10 mg once daily in the morning and titrate upward in 5 mg increments weekly based on clinical response 1
- Adderall XR provides approximately 12 hours of coverage with a biphasic release mechanism (50% immediate, 50% delayed by 4 hours) 4
Immediate-Release Formulation (Alternative)
- Start with 5 mg twice daily (10 mg total daily dose) if using immediate-release Adderall 1
- Titrate upward in 5 mg increments weekly, with typical dosing reaching 10-15 mg twice daily (20-30 mg total) 1
Monitoring During Conversion
Watch for breakthrough symptoms in the late afternoon/evening, as Vyvanse provides up to 13-14 hours of therapeutic action compared to Adderall XR's 12-hour duration 1, 3
Monitor for side effects including insomnia, decreased appetite, increased blood pressure and heart rate during the conversion period 1
The therapeutic effects should be apparent within 1.5 hours of the first Adderall dose, similar to other stimulants 4
Critical Caveats
Do not use strict mathematical conversion formulas—individual patient factors significantly affect optimal dosing, and clinical response should guide final titration 1
The conversion ratio is not 1:1 because lisdexamfetamine's prodrug mechanism results in lower peak amphetamine concentrations and reduced inter-individual variability compared to direct amphetamine administration 5, 3
Avoid assuming equivalent efficacy at any particular dose ratio, as individual response varies significantly even within the same medication class 6