Brand Vyvanse and generic lisdexamfetamine are the same medicine, and generics have been approved in the U.S. since 2023. The quickest way to find stock is to ask pharmacies about either one, and to give your exact strength and form, capsule or chewable. As of October 2026, FDA still lists both forms as in shortage, but many manufacturers show supply, so ask about every maker.

Key takeaways

  • Vyvanse (brand) and lisdexamfetamine (generic) are the same active ingredient. FDA announced the first generic capsules and chewable tablets in August 2023.
  • As of October 14, 2026, FDA's shortage database lists lisdexamfetamine capsules and chewable tablets as "Currently in Shortage." Each manufacturer's supply is listed separately, and many show products as available.
  • Capsules and chewable tablets are different products. Only your prescriber can change from one to the other.
  • Lisdexamfetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. It cannot be refilled, and some pharmacies will not confirm stock over the phone.
  • Ask for brand or generic, any manufacturer, and ask when the next delivery is due.

Is Vyvanse the same as generic lisdexamfetamine?

Yes. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is the active ingredient in Vyvanse. In August 2023, FDA announced the approval of multiple first generics of Vyvanse capsules and chewable tablets. FDA says approved generics work the same way as the brand medicine and give the same clinical benefit. MedlinePlus lists lisdexamfetamine as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people age 6 and older, and for binge eating disorder in adults.

Because generics exist, you usually do not have to hunt for the brand name. If your prescription says "Vyvanse" and your prescriber has not blocked substitution, a pharmacy may be able to fill it with a generic. The rules are set by each state, so ask the pharmacist. Our post on brand vs generic when a medication is out of stock explains how that works.

What does FDA's shortage list show right now?

The picture is mixed, which is why calling around can pay off. Here is what FDA's database showed on October 14, 2026:

  • Capsules. The entry was first posted July 14, 2023, and still reads "Currently in Shortage." The brand maker, Takeda, lists Vyvanse capsules in every strength from 10 mg to 70 mg as available. Several generic makers also list all strengths as available. Others list limited availability, with some on allocation. Most of the stated reasons are a shortage of an active ingredient.
  • Chewable tablets. This entry was also first posted July 14, 2023. It lists three manufacturers, including Takeda's brand. All of the strengths shown, 10 mg to 60 mg, are listed as available, even though the overall status is still "Currently in Shortage."

Treat this as a guide, not a promise. A listing of "available" at the manufacturer level does not mean your local pharmacy has the product on its shelf today. A pharmacy's stock depends on its wholesaler and on which manufacturers it buys from.

Why is it still hard to find in some places?

Two forces overlap. First, FDA's entries point to a shortage of an active ingredient for many of the limited products. Second, the government has been adjusting how much of the ingredient can be made. On September 19, 2025, the DEA raised the 2025 production quota for lisdexamfetamine from 32,736,000 grams to 39,907,536 grams. DEA said manufacturers had reported shortages of lisdexamfetamine capsules and chewable tablets because of a shortage of an active ingredient. It also pointed to rising global demand. For 2026, DEA's final order, effective January 5, 2026, set the lisdexamfetamine quota at 51,290,743 grams. For the wider story, see the ADHD medication shortage status post.

Capsule or chewable: what should I ask for?

Ask for the form on your prescription. Capsules and chewable tablets are separate products with separate prescriptions and separate strengths. FDA's listings show capsules from 10 mg to 70 mg and chewable tablets from 10 mg to 60 mg, so the 70 mg strength appears only for capsules.

If your pharmacy has chewables but your prescription is for capsules, or the other way around, do not swap on your own. Ask the pharmacist to note the problem, then call your prescriber. Your prescriber can decide whether a different form is right for you and send a new prescription.

How do I find lisdexamfetamine in stock?

  1. Call your current pharmacy. Ask for "lisdexamfetamine or Vyvanse" in your exact strength and form. Ask whether it is on order and when the next delivery arrives.
  2. Say any manufacturer is fine. With many makers, there is a good chance one of them is in stock. Ask the pharmacist which manufacturer's product they have, and whether it is the same strength and form.
  3. Try brand and generic separately. Some pharmacies stock only one. If the brand is available and the generic is not, ask the pharmacist about the price and about your insurance. Our post on prescription savings cards covers price options when insurance does not cover a product.
  4. Call more than one kind of pharmacy. Check chains and independent pharmacies in your area. Different pharmacies can carry different manufacturers.
  5. Ask your prescriber's office to help if nobody has it. Tell them which strength and form you checked. They may send the prescription to a pharmacy that has stock, or discuss other options with you.

If a pharmacy has your strength but you filled the prescription somewhere else, ask about a transfer. Federal rules allow a one-time electronic transfer of a Schedule II prescription between pharmacies, at the patient's request, for initial filling. State law may be stricter, and pharmacies do not have to take part. Read our transfer guide for the details.

What if the pharmacy won't say whether it has it?

Because lisdexamfetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance, some pharmacies have policies against confirming stock to unknown callers. Others will only talk to the patient. If that happens, try calling as the patient, stopping in, or asking your prescriber's office to check. MedlinePlus also notes that this prescription is not refillable, so each fill needs a new prescription.

Can Needle check for Vyvanse or lisdexamfetamine?

Needle phones pharmacies for you, using AI voice agents and human callers, and asks about the exact drug, strength, and form. It reports back which pharmacies said they have it. Because some pharmacies will not confirm Schedule II stock to callers they do not know, a stock check for a controlled medicine may not always return a clear answer. You can start a search at app.findneedle.co.

Frequently asked questions

Is generic Vyvanse available?

Yes. FDA announced approval of multiple first generics of Vyvanse capsules and chewable tablets in August 2023. As of October 14, 2026, FDA's shortage database lists several generic manufacturers for the capsules and for the chewable tablets. Availability varies by manufacturer and strength.

Is Vyvanse still on the FDA shortage list?

As of October 14, 2026, FDA lists both lisdexamfetamine capsules and lisdexamfetamine chewable tablets as "Currently in Shortage." Each manufacturer's entry shows its own status, and many list products as available. Check FDA's database for the latest.

Can I switch from capsules to chewable tablets if my pharmacy is out?

Only if your prescriber decides it is right for you. The two forms are separate products with different strength ranges. Call your prescriber's office, explain what you could not find, and ask what they recommend.

Will my insurance cover generic lisdexamfetamine?

Coverage depends on your plan. Many plans treat brand and generic differently, and a pharmacy may need to check your plan before it can give a price. Ask the pharmacist to run the prescription for both options, and call your plan if you are unsure.

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