Vyvanse: 7 Things to Know - Drugs.com (2023)

Medically examined byCarmen Fookes, BPHarm. Last updated on August 16, 2022.

1. How it works

• Vyvanse is a brand name of lisdexamfetamine, which can be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or binge eating disorder (BED).
• Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug (a biologically inactive drug that is converted to an active drug in the body). Red blood cells break down lisdexamfetamine into dextroamphetamine and L-lysine (an essential amino acid). The exact mode of action of dextroamphetamine in ADHD is unknown; However, it blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurotransmitters, increasing their concentration at the nerve synapse (the space between two nerves). An imbalance in norepinephrine and dopamine is believed to contribute to ADHD symptoms.
• Vyvanse belongs to the class of medicines known as CNS stimulants.

2. Benefits

• It can be used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to reduce symptoms such as impulsivity and hyperactivity and increase alertness. It should be used in addition to other treatments such as counseling or behavioral therapy.
• It can be used in the treatment of moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) to increase the number of binge-free days per month.
• Vyvanse should never be used for weight loss.
• Vyvanse is ineffective when abusers take it by means other than oral (e.g. by inhalation or injection).

3. Disadvantages

If you are between 18 and 60 years old, do not take any other medications or have no other medical conditions, the side effects you are most likely to experience are:

• Insomnia, decreased appetite, stomach pain, irritability, nausea and dry mouth have been reported. Psychotic thoughts, hallucinations and manic symptoms have also been reported.
• High potential for abuse and addiction. Tolerance to the effects of Vyvanse can develop over time (this means that the same dose no longer produces the same effects).
• Discontinuation symptoms (extreme tiredness, depression) may occur when Vyvanse is stopped abruptly; Slowly reduce the dose under medical guidance.
• It may cause dizziness and impair judgment and the ability to drive or use machines. Alcohol should be avoided.
• It can cause serious cardiac side effects. The risk is higher in patients with pre-existing cardiac abnormalities or heart problems.
• May not be suitable for people with heart problems. Your doctor should evaluate you or your child for the presence of heart disease before prescribing Vyvanse, which requires a careful family history, including sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia, and a physical examination.
• May not be suitable for those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Other side effects include increases in blood pressure and heart rate, aggravation of pre-existing psychiatric disorders, allergic reactions and peripheral tissue disorders.
• Interaction or overdose can cause serotonin syndrome (symptoms include mental status changes [such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, delirium]), rapid heartbeat, dizziness, flushing, tremor or muscle stiffness, and stomach upset (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). . . ).
• May cause stunted growth and weight loss in children. The height and weight of children taking Vyvanse long-term should be monitored.
• There is currently no generic version of Vyvanse available in the US.

Use:In general, the elderly or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures), or people taking other medications are at higher risk of developing a wider range of side effects.See full list of side effects

4. Conclusion

Vyvanse is a stimulant used to treat ADHD to reduce symptoms such as impulsivity and hyperactivity and increase alertness. It may also help increase the number of binge-free days per month in moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED). Vyvanse should be used in addition to other treatments such as counseling or behavioral therapy, but it is important to note that it is potentially addictive and there have been reports of serious cardiac side effects in adults and children.

5. Tips

• It can be taken with or without food. Take it in the morning and avoid the evening dose due to the possibility of insomnia.
• The capsules can be swallowed whole, or the capsule can be opened and the contents mixed with yoghurt or water and drunk immediately. Chew chewable tablets well before swallowing. The same dosage capsule can be substituted for the same dosage chewable tablet and vice versa (e.g. 30 mg capsules for a 30 mg chewable tablet).
• Do not attempt to break up a capsule or chewable tablet into smaller doses.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Vyvanse as it may increase certain side effects.
• Take exactly as directed by your doctor and do not take more than recommended. Tell your doctor if you think you have become dependent on Vyvanse, or if it doesn't seem to be working for you. Don't suddenly stop. When it's time to stop taking Vyvanse, your doctor will tell you how to taper it off.
• Do not drive or use machines if Vyvanse affects your judgment or makes you dizzy.
• Tell your doctor if you experience chest pain on exertion, unexplained transient loss of consciousness, or other symptoms suggestive of heart disease.
• It can trigger psychotic symptoms even in people with no psychiatric history.
• It can cause poor circulation in the fingers and toes, stunted growth, and weight loss.

6. Response and Effectiveness

• The maximum effect is reached in about four hours. When Vyvanse is used to treat ADHD, behavioral differences have been observed two to 12 hours after taking a dose.
• When Vyvanse is used to treat BED, it may take up to 12 weeks to see a reduction in the number of binge eating episodes per week.

7. Interactions

Drugs that interact with Vyvanse may decrease its effect, change how long it lasts, increase side effects, or have a lesser effect when taken with Vyvanse. A drug interaction does not always mean that you should stop taking one of the drugs; however sometimes it does. Talk to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that can interact with Vyvanse include:

• Antacids, such as those containing aluminum
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin or other drugs that reduce blood clotting such as aspirin or NSAIDs
• Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, phenobarbital or primidone
• Antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine), or SSRIs (eg, citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline)
• Antipsychotics (such as butyrophenones, phenothiazines, or thioxanthenes) and atypical antipsychotics (eg, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone)
• any drugs that can cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam, lorazepam), first-generation antihistamines (such as doxylamine or promethazine), metoclopramide, or opioids (such as codeine, morphine)
• Beta blockers such as atenolol, labetalol or metoprolol
• Bupropion
• Cold, flu, or allergy medicines that contain decongestants such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine
• Diet medications such as benzphetamine, dexfenfluramine, or phentermine
• diuretics such as furosemide
• Drugs of abuse such as cocaine
• Duloxetine
• Heart medications such as doxazosin, prazosin, clonidine, or methyldopa
• HIV-Medications (Fosamprenavir, Ritonavir)
• Linezolid
• Drugs that increase or decrease the pH of the stomach or urinary tract, such as PPIs (eg, omeprazole, pantoprazole), sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide, ascorbic acid, or ammonium chloride
• Drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes
• Drugs that make urine more acidic, like vitamin C, or more alkaline, like baking soda
• other medicines that affect serotonin, such as amphetamines, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, triptans (e.g. almotriptan, eletriptan or sumatriptan) or St. John's wort
• Propoxyphen
• Selegilina.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal or recreational drugs while taking Vyvanse.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and only includes common medications that may interact with Vyvanse. For a full list of interactions, see the Vyvanse prescribing information.

references

• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) [Product Information]. Revised 03/2022. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.https://www.drugs.com/pro/vyvanse.html

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children, never share your medication with others and only use Vyvanse for the prescribed indication.

Always check with your doctor to ensure that the information presented on this page is appropriate for your personal circumstances.

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