Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADHD). It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Vyvanse may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What are the common side effects of Vyvanse?
Some possible common side-effects of Vyvanse include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss;
blurred vision;
skin rash;
feeling irritable;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What are the uncommon side effects of Vyvanse?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Vyvanse and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches).
What should I know about Vyvanse?
Do not use Vyvanse if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Vyvanse before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use Vyvanse if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or if you have hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), heart disease, moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction. Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before taking Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you have any type of heart problems. Vyvanse may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Vyvanse should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Using Vyvanse improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Vyvanse or if you have:
heart disease or moderate to severe high blood pressure (hypertension);
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries);
overactive thyroid;
glaucoma;
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation; or
if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Before using Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
a congenital heart defect;
high blood pressure;
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Vyvanse, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It could also cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes this medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Vyvanse can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Long-term use of Vyvanse can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using Vyvanse is not growing or gaining weight properly. Do not give Vyvanse to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor. Vyvanse may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Vyvanse should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.
How should I take Vyvanse?
Take Vyvanse exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Vyvanse. You may also be asked to not use the medication for a day or two and watch for any differences in behavior off the medication. Take this medication with a full glass of water. It is best to take this medication in the morning. Do not take this medication in the afternoon or evening because it may cause sleep problems (insomnia). You may take this medication with or without food. The capsule should be swallowed whole. You may also open the Vyvanse capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a glass of water. After the medicine has dissolved, drink this mixture right away. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to see you on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Vyvanse.
Store Vyvanse at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep track of how many capsules have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Vyvanse is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, or if it is already evening, skip the missed dose and take the medicine the next morning. Taking this medicine late in the day can cause sleep problems. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Vyvanse can be fatal. Symptoms of a Vyvanse overdose include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine. These symptoms may be followed by depression and tiredness. Other overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, uneven heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
What should I avoid while taking Vyvanse?
Vyvanse can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking fruit juices or taking vitamin C at the same time you take Vyvanse. These can make your body absorb less of the medicine.
What other drugs will affect Vyvanse?
Before taking Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
pain medication such as meperidine (Demerol) or propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Vyvanse, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Vyvanse. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has information about Vyvanse written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Lisdexamfetamine is available with a prescription under the brand name Vyvanse. Other formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
Pros:
free trial and no potential for abuse
Cons:
the fact that no insurances are likely to pay for this since it is a new drug
I had gotten a free 30 day trial from the website. the first day i took it i didnt notice much difference for the first few hours then after 4 hours i was bouncing off the walls. that lasted for 3 hours then back to no effects. i was on ritalin as a child and it worked well for me. i have heard that sometimes one type of stimulant can work on one person and not another. i assume that methylphenidate is my bingo drug and definately not amphetamines
stemanita Newly Joined
Registered: August 2007
Review Date: Wed August 29, 2007
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
Pros:
lasts later in the day
Cons:
lasts later in the day
My ratings are purely subjective, of course. My son has tried every ADHD medication on the market with the results being that his response to their effectiveness is sporadic. Prior to trying the Vyvanse, he was on Adderall XR which controlled his symptoms moderately but wore off by the time he got home from school. At that point, he was cranky, and it was difficult to get him to do homework or participate effectively in after-school activities. I was attracted to the Vyvanse because it advertised more controlled, even results that lasted later in the day. This is now his fourth day on Vyvanse, and I am considering switching back to Adderall XR. Although he is doing well during the school hours, the teacher reports that she doesn't see much difference since he has been on the Vyvanse. He takes the Vyvanse at about 7:00 A.M. About an hour after he gets home from school, he becomes very moody. And at about 5:00 P.M., he goes into almost manic behavior. He talks non-stop for about two hours, he becomes extremely physically hyper (a symptom he doesn't really have off the meds...he is just inattentive, not hyper), and his appetite is suppressed all day. Although the Vyvanse may work for some, this is really not the drug that is going to do it for him.
Elbarto150 Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
Review Date: Sun November 11, 2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
I am a nineteen year old guy who just got prescribed this in an attempt to determine if my extreme anxiety and depression are ADD related. Im still not sure if they are, but I can say that this drug works really, really well. I prefer this over all the other stimulants because it has fewer side effects - some may not like it as much because you dont get as much of a high as from Adderall. I take it every morning and within fifteen minutes Im alert and ready to tackle the day. I feel confident, euphoric and happy when on this drug. Sometimes it makes me feel like people are talking behind my back (paranoia). Also it makes it a little edgy and while it makes me more social, I dont feel as comedic as i used to.
haleyshea Newly Joined
Registered: December 2007
Review Date: Tue December 4, 2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
Pros:
increased focus, mood boost, clean alot
Cons:
nausea, paranoia, prone to snap at people
This is a real up and down med for me.
Sometimes it helps me feel happy and focused and I clean things like nobodies business. :]
However, when I'm coming down I get a little paranoid and it is very, very easy to set me off. Also, when I first started taking this medicine I experienced extreme nausea in combination with Prozac. I would throw up almost every day at school during first period. If you eat something when you take it and stagger other medications this is a wonderful and effective treatment for ADHD
sardone777 Newly Joined
Registered: July 2008
Review Date: Sun July 27, 2008
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $2.00| Rating: 9
Pros:
Great attention increase, feels liberating, mood boost
Cons:
depression, shakiness, weakness
This medication has worked out wonderfully for me! I switched over from Ritalin LA about 4 months ago, and I really prefer Vyvance. Ritalin started to lose it's effectiveness for me after a couple years of taking it, so I got most of the side effects with little of the actual focus effect. This happens to me every now and then, I've also gone through a concerta and focalin regimen.
I think this leaves me feeling the most genuinely focused of all medications I've taken, as well as leaving me feeling the most like myself. Ritalin made me very cranky. You can get very cantankerous while using Vyvance as well. The secret for me is to EAT! If my blood sugar is up, then I'll be in a great mood. If it's down, I can be snappy, moody, I get shaky, and I don't really want to move. However, this is something I've experienced with all ADD medications I've taken. Usually, this will only happen if my brain is fairly inactive, or I'm not trying to absorb a ton of information or move around a lot. The trouble with keeping my blood sugar up on Vyvance is that it also suppresses my appetite quite a bit (as do all the other ADD medications i've tried). Whether that's good or bad, I can't say (keeps meh skinneh!), but Vyvance usually allows me to be a bit more aware that yes, I am in fact hungry.
All in all, I do recommend Vyvance. It doesn't leave me feeling like a "tweeker" like Adderal did (tried it), and it just works best for me. Then again, ADD medications' effectiveness are so based on the individual taking them. I encourage you to try it!
Chreey Junior Member
Registered: September 2008 Posts: 7
Review Date: Fri December 5, 2008
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
My son is currently maxed out at 70mg vyvannse. It worked well when first started. It helped with hyperactivity and concentration. He was doing very well in school. But after awhile he has had to be maxed out on the med and is still having the syptoms. He did have poor appetite with this med until we started another med for different dx. We have tried focalin and concerta and so far the vyvannsse is the best.
brianna_m New Member
Registered: December 2008 Posts: 1
Review Date: Wed December 17, 2008
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
Pros:
more focused, did better on tests
Cons:
causes anger, loss of humor, blank emotions
Vyvanse only helps me for the 45 minutes of taking a test. For the rest of the day, I can't sit still and little things aggravate me to the point I just want to run off somewhere else- which I do. My mom tried Vyvanse and experienced the same thing. I should be getting off of this in the next 2 days.
sunrise Elder
Registered: January 2007 Posts: 5331
Review Date: Sun March 1, 2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
Pros:
more focus, greater ability to concentrate, more energy, better mood, less sleepy, lasts all day
Cons:
insomnia if take too late in day, expensive
I've been taking Vyvanse for about 6 months and have found it extremely helpful. I have more energy and am able to focus and concentrate much better, and finish tasks I begin. It also helps me be less sleepy during the day, which was a problem for me.
aymie Junior Member
Registered: January 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 8
Review Date: Fri April 17, 2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $154.00| Rating: 8
Pros:
minimal Jitters, more natural feeling, no nausea, longer lasting effect
Cons:
loss of appetite.
My docotor had me on Focalin XR 20 mg for 30 days as a trial. At my last appointment, I told him I like the Focalin XR, but the effects seemed to wear off in the middle of my work-day (after about 6 hours), and my productivity and ability to focus was, again, out the window. He then gave me a coupon for a free 30-day supply of Vyvanse 70mg and said the side-effects may be stronger, but the drug would last for about 12-14 hours. I have been on the drug now for 5 days (M-F of this weeks) and my work has been great! My productivity is up, I am less irritable, my memory is better and I don't have the terrible jitters right after I take it. This medicine seems to keep me at a more steady level through the day and not have a huge peak in the morning and crash in the afternoon as the Focalin XR had. I'm loving this so far! The price is a bit high, but thankfully, I have a great benefit plan with my employer so I do not have to pay full price.
sunnyday New Member
Registered: May 2006 Posts: 12
Review Date: Wed June 3, 2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $123.00| Rating: 7
Pros:
increased mood, decreased appetite, less tired
Cons:
poops out in afternoon
I've been on vyvance for three months now, had been on adderal twice a day. the vyvance is
"smoother" less up and downs. I feel less irritable.
rexal781 Newly Joined
Registered: June 2009 Posts: 1
Review Date: Wed June 3, 2009
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
Pros:
None
Cons:
Lack of sleep
I am a 40 yo male that was on 20mg of Adderall XR for 2 months after being diagnosed with ADHD prescribed by my primary care physician based on the test results and recommendation from the psychologist that gave me the test. I was also set up with another local psychologist that helps with med management of this kind of disorders. My first visit they took me off of the Adderall XR and started me on 50mg of Vyvanse. After just one day my symptoms came back full force and after a week I was back to my old distracted self. I went back for my follow-up appointment and told the PA what was happening. The result is to increase my dose to 70mg of the Vivanse which I will be starting in about a week.
After this ordeal I have some questions that are running through my mind. Why stop one medication that is working to start someone on a trial medication that doesn’t work? Is the doctor doing it for his own benefit as to make more money from the drug company?
