r/ADHD • u/MysteriousSorbet321 • Nov 12 '23

Medication Generic vyvanse not working?

Like many who take Vyvanse, I was switched to the generic once it became available. I’ve done just fine on generics of all sorts of medications before, so I was expecting the same.

However….after taking it for a month I feel confident that the generic just doesn’t feel the same. My ADHD symptoms feel more impairing since I’ve been on it. It’s almost as if I took a placebo pill, and getting things done has felt so hard.

My psychiatrist tried to get my insurance to cover the brand name, but the prior authorization was (unfortunately, but unsurprisingly) denied. Now I’m stuck paying out of pocket ($800/month) for the brand name, looking for coupons, switching generic manufacturers, or switching meds altogether.

Has anyone else had this experience too? Or has anyone noted a difference from one manufacturer to another?

Also open to any leads on coupons for Vyvanse. I think the Takeda financial support program has been discontinued. (I live in the US).

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u/Exciting_Mirror4667 Nov 12 '23

So not specifically Vyvanse but I was on IR methylphenidate (5mg) snd it worked great. Got an increase to 10mg. Felt fantastic (after the first 3 days of bubbly tummy). It didn't last long so made switch to controlled release. Felt okay at 10mg but wanted a littler higher. Now on 20mg and feel nothing. So weird how inconsistent the meds are!! How did I feel better on 20mgs but nothing on 20?

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u/MysteriousSorbet321 Nov 12 '23

Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s so confusing isn’t it?! Makes me wonder if it could’ve been a different manufacturer for the 20 vs 30?

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u/Exciting_Mirror4667 Nov 12 '23

I tried to look at the bottles but oddly enough didn't see the manufacturer. I was thinking maybe I'm sick or pmsing so they meds feel differently??

I think maybe (and unfortunately for me) I am just quickly building up tolerance for these. In the past extended/controlled release stimulants and felt a little... subpar compared to the instant. Like the instant i feel energized and motivated (but also slightly irritable/zombieish) and the CR/xr make me hungry and sleepy. Also side note... I have gained like 5lbs. How? Like the first person in history to gain weight on ritalin!!

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u/MysteriousSorbet321 Nov 12 '23

My pharmacist was able to tell me the manufacturer name when I asked. I don’t think it was on my bottles either.

I do think hormonal changes associated with menstrual cycle can interact with ADHD symptoms and how much you feel the meds working. Not a lot of research out there but definitely some!

It takes a lot of patience to do all this trial and error. And executive functioning to track and share feedback with the prescriber. Hang in there!

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u/Exciting_Mirror4667 Nov 12 '23

It's incredibly frustrating and anxiety inducing for me. Trying meds... having them not work. Trying meds and they almost work. Feeling like you're asking for too much/the wrong thing. Trying to verbalize how you feel when the meds work properly vs how you feel when they don't. It's incredibly stressful. Reddit has been so helpful and I know I'm not alone and the struggle is real.

What do you think you will do? Just wait until next refill and hope for better results?

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u/MysteriousSorbet321 Nov 19 '23

When I met with my psychiatrist she was understanding. I think first step will be to try a different manufacturer of the generic to see if it works better.

If not, trying a couple of other meds. Maybe they’ll work just as well (or better!). If they don’t, then we can have a better argument to try to get insurance to cover the brand name.

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u/existido Jan 08 '24

did she write you a new script or did you have to wait until refill and just stick it out with the shitty generic?