What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate or L-lysine-D-amphetamine) is a once-daily central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Vyvanse is available by prescription only in 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg capsules, and may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.
What is Vyvanse Used For?
Vyvanse is used in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Vyvanse may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD as it affects certain chemicals (dopamine and norepinephrine) in the brain that may help improve attention span and behavior.
Off-Label Uses of Vyvanse
Vyvanse may also be used off-label for other conditions as determined by your doctor, such as:
- depression
- schizophrenia
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- binge eating disorder
Who Should Not Use Vyvanse?
Patients who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days should not take Vyvanse. Some common MAO inhibitors include: isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Taking Vyvanse while an MAOI is still in your system can result in serious, life-threatening side effects. There are many other MAOIs not listed, so make sure to tell your doctor all medications you are taking, or have taken recently, before taking Vyvanse.
Patients should not take Vyanse if they are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or if they have hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, are pregnant, or have severe anxiety or agitation.
Additionally, patients with a history of drug or alcohol addiction should discuss these issues with their doctor before taking Vyvanse, as Vyvanse has a high-potential of abuse.
Adderall vs. Vyvanse
Adderall is currently the most common competitor for Vyvanse.
- Vyvanse is 100% d-amphetamine, while Adderall XR is a mix of 4 different d and l-amphetamines.
- Vyvanse is released via digestion, while Adderall is released by bead technology.
- While Vyvanse can be habit-forming, it is considered to have less abuse-potential than Adderall.
Side Effects of Vyvanse
Serious Side Effects:
- Heart-related problems including: sudden death in people who have heart problems or heart defects
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
- decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting)
- tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches)
- dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizure).
Less Serious Side Effects:
- loss of appetite, weight loss
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- feeling irritable
- mild skin rash
- dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
Is Vyvanse Addictive?
Yes, Vyvanse is an amphetamine and can be addictive. Compared to similar drugs, Vyvanse is much harder to abuse. The digestion release may make Vyvanse smoother, last longer, and have less variability. This release also means that users attempting intranasal or intravenous use of Vyvanse will not achieve a high.
Symptoms of Vyvanse Withdrawal
Some people who use Vyvanse for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. If you stop taking Vyvanse suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal Symptoms May Include:
- a severe craving for Vyvanse
- nervous tics
- rapid heart rates
- nervousness
- severe agitation or aggressiveness
- tremors
- fevers
- hallucinations
- seizures
- blurred vision
- severe headaches or migraines
- shortness of breath
- insomnia
- muscle pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- extreme paranoia
- chest pains
- severe mood swings
- abnormal hyperactivity or sleepiness
Dosage and Identification of Vyvanse Capsules
Milligrams(mg) | Appearance of Capsule |
20 | Body color:Ivory Cap Color:Ivory |
30 | Body Color:White Cap Color:Orange |
40 | Body Color:White Cap Color:Teal |
50 | Body Color:White Cap Color:Blue |
60 | Body Color:Aqua Blue Cap Color:Aqua Blue |
70 | Body Color:Blue Cap Color:Orange |
Vyvanse Overdose
Vyvanse is much harder to overdose compared to the other leading medications, yet not impossible. As long as you’ve been honest with your doctor, you’re not allergic, and haven’t been over-prescribed there should be no real risk on an overdose. Vyvanse won’t work correctly if snorted, or injected, so they have to be taken orally. Taking too much of any drug is dangerous, and Vyvanse is no different. Abusing your medication and taking multiple doses is how most overdoses occur with Vyvanse.
Symptoms of Vyvanse Overdose:
- confusion
- fainting
- fast breathing
- fever hallucinations
- irregular heartbeat
- mental or mood changes
- muscle pain or tenderness
- overactive reflexes
- seizures
- severe nausea
- vomiting diarrhea
- stomach cramps
- severe or persistent headache or dizziness
- severe restlessness
- tremors
- unusual tiredness
Treatment for an Overdose on Vyvanse
Contact 911, your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.