Taking Concerta And Vyvanse Together

Vyvanse contains lisdexamfetamine, a type of amphetamine, while Concerta contains methylphenidate. It is not uncommon that an individual responds better to one type of stimulant than another, or that one is better at treating certain aspects of ADHD.

What Do The Studies Say?

It would be relatively uncommon for two long-acting ADHD stimulants, like Vyvanse and Concerta, to be prescribed together but there certainly could be individual cases where the combination is safe to end effective for use.

It's highly individualized and you should speak to your doctor regarding your options. Most often though, a stimulant is combined with a non-stimulant medication to attain complete coverage of symptoms.

While not completely akin to using two long-acting stimulants, current research shows that the combination of two ADHD medications (in different medication classes) can be far more effective than a single agent.

For example, guanfacine combined with Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) showed more consistent benefits for ADHD symptoms than either agent alone.

Another study showed that the combination of Strattera (atomoxetine) and different amphetamine stimulants were more effective than a single agent for certain individuals.

As you mentioned in your question, there is some data to suggest that certain types of stimulants can provide better symptom control for certain aspects of ADHD, for some people (e.g. methylphenidate being more effective for 'executive function').

Combining Vyvanse And Concerta

While uncommon, there could be certain individuals that benefit from combining both an amphetamine (e.g., Vyvanse) and methylphenidate (e.g., Concerta).

In most cases though, if this combination were to be prescribed for you, it would likely be with two immediate-release drugs (e.g. dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate IR) OR a short-acting with a long-acting one.

Not only is it uncommon to be prescribed two long-acting stimulants, but you'll also likely have some trouble with your insurance company getting both covered.

Nevertheless, if you have found in the past that these stimulants have each provided positive benefits for different symptoms, the combination could make sense for you. There isn't anything inherently unsafe about combining two different types of stimulants, assuming the appropriate doses are used.  Be sure to talk to your doctor about what your options are.

Final Words

The choice of medication(s) for the treatment of ADHD and other co-morbid conditions (i.e. the presence of other diseases such as ADHD with anxiety) is highly individualized.

While the use of two long-acting stimulant medications isn't unheard of, it is not common. Generally, the combination of a stimulant and non-stimulant medication is more often used to appropriately treat all symptoms and conditions.