What is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse

Generic Name: lisdexamfetamine (lis dex am FET a meen)

Brand Names: Vyvanse

What is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Vyvanse is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and in children who are at least 6 years old. It is used as a part of a total treatment program that may include psychological, educational, and social therapy.

Vyvanse may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information 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 is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. You should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using Vyvanse improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

Before taking 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:

• 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 taking Vyvanse, tell your doctor 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.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Vyvanse will harm an unborn baby. It could cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes Vyvanse during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Lisdexamfetamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Vyvanse without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Vyvanse pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Long-term use of Vyvanse can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication 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.

How should I take Vyvanse?

Take Vyvanse exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Do not take Vyvanse in the evening because it may cause sleep problems (insomnia).

Vyvanse may be taken 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.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Vyvanse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Vyvanse is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. You should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

See also: Vyvanse dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if it is already evening. 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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Vyvanse can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include restlessness, tremor, muscle twitches, rapid breathing, confusion, hallucinations, panic, aggressiveness, 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 may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be 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.

Vyvanse side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Vyvanse: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting);
• tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizure).

Less serious Vyvanse side effects may include:

• loss of appetite, weight loss;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• feeling irritable;
• mild skin rash; or
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Vyvanse side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Vyvanse?

Before taking Vyvanse tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), K-Phos;
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
• ethosuximide (Zarontin);
• guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex);
• phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
• blood pressure medications;
• a diuretic (water pill);
• cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines);
• pain medication such as meperidine (Demerol) or propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);
• antacids, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer);
• stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet),esomeprazole (Nexium), famotidine (Pepcid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), or ranitidine (Zantac); or
• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Vyvanse. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.