Vyvanse in Canadian Pharmacies
ByFebruary 14, 2010
Vyvanse was launched in Canada officially on February 1st, 2010. Even though it was officially launched, there have been some issues with the ability of pharmacies to get Vyvanse on their shelves.
As of February 12, 2010 – the following pharmacies have access to Vyvanse (i.e. if they don’t actually have it in their pharmacy, they can order it from their wholesalers and have it in within 24 hours)
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Jean Coutu
- Main Drug Mart
- People’s Drug Mart
- Pharmasave
- Total Health Pharmacies
- Wal Mart Pharmacies
I’ve been informed that by Wednesday February 17th, 2010, 80% of pharmacies will have access to Vyvanse from their wholesaler.
And by Friday February 19th, 2010, 100% of pharmacies will have access to Vyvanse from their wholesaler.
So, if your doctor gives you a prescription for Vyvanse (and you’re in Canada), you can go to one of the pharmacies above (which already have Vyvanse), or ask your doctor if it’s OK to wait until your particular pharmacy can get the medication in.
To be clear – there is nothing wrong with the Vyvanse supply or medication. The reason for the delay has to do with the paperwork and regulatory aspects which the wholesalers have to complete to be able to store and ship a stimulant medicine. This will be resolved quickly (and hopefully easily for you!).
Best,
Dr. Kenny
I recently convinced my doctor to allow me to try it, I tried to go and get it, and as you already said they had to order it and get it the next day. I was leaving for Toronto the next day early in the morning so I could not wait, and decided to get it from Toronto. My doctor called when I was in Toronto, and told me to forget about it, since it was only allowed from children from 6-12. I was wondering when they would allow adults to use this medicine? I am 22 years old, and from what I have read about the reviews I think vyvanse would be the best for me (prediction). I am in Canada, and that got me a bit down as I can’t take vyvanse yet.
Ahmed,
Vyvanse is only officially approved for kids 6-12 in Canada. In the US, it is officially approved for children, as well as adults (but not for teens). When it comes down to it, many doctors will use it for any patient that they think it will help.
Ask your doctor if he/she feels comfortable for you to use it. It certainly has research showing it works in adults (hence its approval in the US for adults).
Dr. Kenny
This information is severely inaccurate.
As of Feb 19 the distribution warehouse had only gotten their license and had no Vyvanse in stock. It was on order to be delivered sometime the week of Feb 22 to Feb 26.
I’ve tried to find it. Every day. Still not available.
Evan – Thanks for the info – as of today’s date – I’ve been informed that all Canadian pharmacies can get Vyvanse in.
How does Vyvance compare to Adderall XR?
From the following link (http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/07/vyvanse-vs-adderall-simple-vs-complex/) I see this…
“Remember that Vyvanse is pure d-amphetamine, while Adderall is a mix of d- and l-forms. The d form may be more effective at reducing impulsiveness and over-activity. The l form, on the other hand, may increase concentration better, but it may also cause more anxiety.”
Personally I have immense problems with concentration, but magnitudes less with impulsiveness and almost no over-activity. Does this mean Adderall XR is then the medicine of choice for me? I am currently on 20mg Adderall XR in the morning and 15mg Dexedrine in the afternoon and I find that the Adderall XR helps more than the dexedrine.
What do you think Dr Handleman?
Abdulla,
In general, the difference in response to adderall vs. vyvanse would mostly relate to how its absorbed, not how it is formulated – i.e. the minor chemical difference is very minor. Talk to your doctor about your options.
How much does a month supply of Vyvanse cost?
Sue H.
I think it is approximately $120 per month.
IS this better for kids than other ADHD medicines? What other drugs are going to say?
Hello Dr. Handelman,
I was diagnosed with ADD inactive in my elementary years and had only taken Ritalin for only one year after diagnosed. Now that I’m older (23) and working ADD has really hampered my ability to think ahead and not get confused with what Im doing. I have decided to try Adderal XR or any other meds. But it seem that my family doctor doesn’t seem to know this med and haven’t treated any adults with ADD. So he won’t prescribe me and don’t know any specialists.
Question: Do you know any specialists in the Scarborough/ Markham area that could help me?
thanks.
Sidney – I know Dr. Turgay in Toronto.
You can find him here: Toronto ADHD Clinic 1849 Yonge Street, Unit 314. Toronto, ON M4S 1Y2 416-304-1779
I was diagnosed with Adult ADHD and just prescribed Vyvance yesterday. I was originally told that only Pharmasave and Walmart carried it. They definitely all have access to it but the only one who had it in stock was Walmart. London Drugs and Shoppers drugmart said it would take a few days to get in while Pharmasave can get it the same day.
I’m going to have to remember to give the pharmacy a bit of lead time when refilling just in case they don’t have any in stock.
It’s about $128/month here in Vancouver, for the 50mg.
I’ve been on it for a few days (still at 30mg for the first week) and noticing some positives already – it’s like vitamins that work! Certainly helping to motivate me.
The only side effect that’s really bothering me is my blood pressure. It’s normally in the 130/70 or 140/78 range (I’m on effexor and inderal), but in the past few days it’s shot up to 178/89 and 160/85. I’m carrying around a low grade pressure headache centered on my sinuses and the base of the back of my head.
I’m planning on chatting with my Dr. after the weekend and well before transitioning to the 50mg dose. I’m hoping this is just a temporary reaction since my body is stimulant naive.
I’ve put both my children on it and so far so good. 30mgs for my distractable one and 50mgs for my bouncing off walls one – so far it seems to be helping. Went through the drug plan without any issues.
Sydney re your question on Adult ADHD doctors. I see Dr. Joseph Feldman at Yonge & St. Clair. 416-961-2282 He’s a psychiatrist that treats adults but you need a referral from your doctor.
I posted on March 20th as I was about to start taking Vyvanse. My doctor started me on 30mg with the plan to go to 50mg. I noticed no different on 30mg and was a little nervous that it wasn’t working. I have never taking any prescriptions meds before so I was unfamiliar with the whole process to find the right dosage. I got changed to 50mg and was feeling great. Noted a dramatic increase in motivation and focus. My impulsivity reduced (ie constantly cutting people off every second), and I noticed a HUGE change in hyperfocus… a hyperfocus on mine that has been causing problems with my significant other has now dropped to pretty much nothing! my focus is now pretty much equal across the board and I have renewed interests.
Intrusive thoughts dropped to nothing too as I was able to “block” them out — this is a huge thing for me and if you are having a day where you get ‘negative’ instrusive thoughts, this is a savior.
I just (a week ago) started to go through a rough time and after taking Vyvanse at 830AM, I could slowly see the intrusive thoughts get silenced (meta-awareness).
Relations with people at work seem way better as I am not overly anxious about how my symptoms are affecting me with others and making more relaxed and I think, easier to be around.
The only thing I didn’t feel with the 50mg was “calm”. I was still taking my 2 large mugs of coffee a day and I was told by my Dr to cut those right out. Caffeine was amplifying the focus and motivation more than other things.
I cut all the coffee back over night and my doctor suspected I would likely need 80mg. Took 50mg for another week and definitely needed the 80mg. Now I’m on 80mg with 1-2 cups of decaf coffee only.
The motivation and focus isn’t as high as the 50mg with coffee but its good. I do feel “calm” now which is really nice. 80mg seems to help 100% with intrusive thoughts, better than 50mg.
Anyway I’m posting all these details because until I went to my Dr for a check-up I didn’t realize just in how many ways Vyvanse had helped me. It really has made my life and relationships better!
-eck
i live in CT. I cannot find a Canadian pharmacy that will sell me VYVANSE.
CAN YOU ADVISE ONE?
Thank you.
Email me.
Jerome – CT as in Connecticut? All Canadian pharmacies have access to Vyvanse. You would need a prescription from a Canadian doctor licensed to practice medicine in the same province that the pharmacy is in.