Hello guys,
Vyvanse is commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD). Whether you’re taking Vyvanse long-term or thinking about starting it, here are 10 lesser-known — but important — things you should know.
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1) Vyvanse is not just used and approved for ADHD
Not only is lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) approved to treat ADHD, but it was the first medication in the U.S. to be approved for binge eating disorder in adults. In studies, people taking Vyvanse had a statistically significant greater reduction in binge eating disorder days compared to those who took a placebo (sugar pill).
While similar medications such as Adderall are sometimes used off-label for weight loss, Vyvanse is not approved or recommended for weight loss due to the risk of serious cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke.
2) Vyvanse and Ritalin are different types of drugs
Two types of medications are used to treat adult ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants. The stimulant medications will typically contain either amphetamine or methylphenidate. Vyvanse, as well as Adderall, both contain amphetamine (or are converted to amphetamine). Ritalin and Concerta, on the other hand, contain methylphenidate.
Both work similarly to treat ADHD, but some people respond better to one than another. So if you aren’t getting results from one type of medication, your provider may have you try the other.
3) But they share many side effects
Even though Vyvanse and other ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Concerta are different drugs, they have several of the same side effects. Depending on your age, you may experience some of these side effects more or less frequently.
Common side effects of Vyvanse that may also occur with Ritalin include:
Dry mouth
Insomnia
Decrease in appetite
Stomach pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Irritability
Anxiety
Let your provider know if you have side effects that do not go away or are particularly bothersome. They may be able to adjust the dose and minimize these effects.
4) Vyvanse carries less risk of abuse than other stimulants
Taken once daily, Vyvanse is a long-acting drug, which means it is released gradually over time. So, its effect at 2 hours after taking it is similar to its effect at 14 hours after taking it.
Unlike other stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, Vyvanse needs to be converted by your body into its active component, dextroamphetamine. And while this makes the medication’s effects last longer, it is also thought to potentially lower its risk for misuse.
The steady release of Vyvanse throughout the day also means that Vyvanse causes fewer rebound symptoms like over-excitement or irritability that happen when a stimulant wears off.
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5) You don’t need to take Vyvanse with food
It’s true. A full or empty stomach doesn’t change how well Vyvanse works, but some patients do complain of losing their appetite after taking the medication. If you decide to take Vyvanse with food, know that while having food in your stomach isn’t a concern in itself, acidic foods should be avoided. More on that below.
6) Vyvanse can interact with some medications
Vyvanse can have some serious interactions, particularly with medications used to treat depression. This includes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine (Nardil), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline(Elavil). You’ll want to let your provider know if you are taking (or were previously taking) other medications before starting Vyvanse.
Medications that increase the acidity of your urine can make Vyvanse less effective. This might be difficult to research on your own, so be sure to ask your provider or pharmacist about drug interactions. Some examples of acidifying drugs include methenamine (Urex) and furosemide (Lasix).
The opposite is true for drugs like sodium bicarbonate (found in Zegerid) and acetazolamide (Diamox) that decrease the acidity of your urine. These kinds of drugs may make Vyvanse more potent than expected.
7) Vyvanse can also interact with vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), found in dietary supplements, citrus fruits, and some vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, can increase the acidity of your urine. As with other acidifying medications, vitamin C can cause Vyvanse to be less effective than expected.
8) Vyvanse should be taken in the morning
The most commonly reported side effects in adults taking Vyvanse are decreased appetite, dry mouth, and trouble sleeping. The potential for insomnia is why providers recommend Vyvanse be taken in the morning long before you need to sleep at night.
9) Vyvanse may raise your blood pressure
With Vyvanse, you should watch out for high blood pressure. Vyvanse activates your stress response, and that can raise your blood pressure and increase your heart rate. Call your provider right away if you experience chest pain, trouble breathing, or fainting while taking Vyvanse.
10)
Vyvanse may improve parenting behavior
An interesting study looked at ADHD treatment with Vyvanse when both parent and child (ages 5 to 12) were diagnosed with
ADHD. When parents had their ADHD treated with Vyvanse, they displayed less negative talk towards their child than when they were taking the placebo. And parents on Vyvanse were more responsive and expressed more praise towards their child than those who were not.
The bottom line
Vyvanse is a long-acting
ADHD medication that can also treat binge eating disorder. You do not need to take it with food, but it is best to take it in the morning so it doesn’t interfere with your sleep. While it is an effective medication for many people, it has some side effects and drug interactions to be aware of.
