Vyvanse – The New Medicine for ADD/ADHD
ByWhat is Vyvanse?
[Article Updated May 2010]
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 through 12. It is a prodrug, which means that it must be orally ingested to activate its main ingredient, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. So the actual medication is inert – i.e. it doesn’t do anything – until an enzyme in the body converts the medicine into the active drug. Because Vyvanse is a stimulant which is not a functioning stimulant (until it is converted by an enzyme in the body), it has a much lower abuse potential than other ADHD stimulant medicines.
When Vyvanse enters the stomach and small bowel, there are enzymes which will break the medicine up. Vyvanse will become: lysine (an amino acid that has no impact on ADHD), as well as dextroamphetamine. Dextroamephetamine is a medical amphetamine (different than the ‘street drugs’) which is very helpful for ADHD. It has been used for treatment of ADHD for decades, and has been available under different names like: Dexedrine and Dextrostat. Once the active medicine is broken from the amino acid lysine, it can now begin to function to help ADHD.
Thus, if someone tries to abuse Vyvanse by snorting it, or even trying to inject it – they will not get a high because it will not be an active medicine until an enzyme in the body works on it and ‘activates’ it.
Although it is generally thought that the medicine is mainly broken down or ‘activated’ in the stomach/small bowel, it may also be ‘activated’ in the blood as well.
In clinical studies, parents reported that their children’s ADD/ADHD symptoms were consistently controlled throughout the day, even through homework time from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Newer research is showing that Vyvanse can work for 13 hours and maybe even longer. Additionally, children taking Vyvanse in the study were able to focus and perform better on tests; in a timed math test, a group taking Vyvanse attempted 51% more math problems than the group given placebo, and provided correct answers 54% more often than the placebo group.
An overall improvement was recorded in 95% of children that took Vyvanse for 12 months.
What are the characteristics of Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is in the same medication family as Adderall; its active ingredient is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It provides consistent ADD/ADHD symptom control for 13 hours. Vyvanse is a capsule that can be swallowed whole or the capsule can be opened and mixed with water (for kids who can’t swallow).
Vyvanse is taken once daily and is available in six dosage strengths (when it was first launched in the US, it was only available in three strengths, but there are more options now):
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
- 40 mg
- 50 mg
- 60 mg
- 70 mg
These different strengths give you and your doctor some flexibility in determining which dosage is right for you, your teen or your child. The recommended starting dose for Vyvanse is 30 mg once per day taken orally in the morning. The dosage may then be increased by up to 20 mg per day at weekly intervals, up to a maximum of 70 mg per day.
Who is Vyvanse approved for?
Currently, Vyvanse is approved for children aged 6 to 12 years, as well as adults aged 18-65 years old.
While there is not yet official approval for Vyvanse in Adolescent ADHD, many doctors are using this medicine for teens, and presumably the official indication will be coming soon.
What are the side effects of Vyvanse?
Vyvanse was very well tolerated in clinical studies with children. The most common side effects were decreased appetite, difficulty falling asleep, irritability, and stomachache. Generally, the side effects were described as mild to moderate; occurrence and severity of side effects decreased over time. As with any prescription medication, it is important to remember that your doctor has prescribed it because he/she feels that the benefits will outweigh the possibility of side effects.
How much does Vyvanse cost?
Vyvanse will cost the same as Shire’s other popular ADD/ADHD drug, Adderall XR: around $3.40 a day. The cost may even be less than Adderall XR because it is estimated that patients who switch from Adderall XR to Vyvanse might need fewer doses.
Ritalin remains the cheapest ADD/ADHD drug; Vyvanse costs considerably more than Ritalin and Ritalin SR. The cost is comparable to the 36mg and 54 mg doses of Concerta, which is around $140 per month.
When can Vyvanse be used?
Vyvanse should be taken once daily in the morning. It provides consistent ADHD symptom control throughout the day for up to 13 hours. In clinical studies, parents reported that their children’s ADD/ADHD symptoms were controlled at approximately 10 A.M., 2 P.M., and 6 P.M., and demonstrated consistent symptom control throughout the day.
Vyvanse is a once-a-day capsule that should be taken in the morning, either with or without food as prescribed by your child’s doctor. If your child is unable or unwilling to swallow pills, Vyvanse capsules may be opened and the entire contents of the pill can be dissolved in water. The entire portion must be finished and should not be stored for later use.
New research is demonstrating that Vyvanse’s absorption and effectiveness is completely unaffected by stomach factors. So – whether Vyvanse is taken with or without food, whether someone is taking antacid medicines, or has a GI disorder (like Celiac’s for example) – it will NOT have an impact on the effectiveness and delivery of vyvanse in the body. This is different than the other medicines for ADHD – like Adderall XR and Concerta, for example.
Can Vyvanse be abused?
The abuse potential of Vyvanse is extremely low; the medication is designed to have a reduced or minimal abuse potential. Since Vyvanse requires oral ingestion to be converted to the active drug, the capsule contents are highly unlikely to be sought out for inhalation or injection.
How does Vyvanse compare to Ritalin, Ritalin SR, and Concerta?
Vyvanse is a new class of ADD/ADHD medication. It is the only medicine which is a pro-drug for ADHD.
Unlike Ritalin, Vyvanse is not an immediate release stimulant. Vyvanse has much lower abuse and addiction potential. Ritalin SR and Concerta are long-acting formulations like Vyvanse, but Vyvanse has been shown to provide more consistent symptom control over a longer period of time than Ritalin SR and Concerta.
Ritalin, or methylphenidate, must be taken two or three times a day for symptom control, whereas Vyvanse is only taken once. The effectiveness of Ritalin is often inconsistent. It is inexpensive, but abuse and addiction potential is much higher with Ritalin than with Vyvanse.
Ritalin SR is a long-acting formulation of methylphenidate with inconsistent performance reviews. It doesn’t work for everyone and usually lasts up to 6 hours. However, like short acting Ritalin, Ritalin SR is inexpensive.
Of the three, Concerta is the most comparable ADD/ADHD medication to Vyvanse. They both control symptoms for up to 12 hours and are generally well-tolerated. Concerta is not a prodrug, so the abuse potential is theoretically higher than it is for Vyvanse.
Where is Vyvanse Available?
At the time of this article update (May 2010), Vyvanse is only available in the USA and Canada. It is not yet available in other parts of the world. Please check back, as I will update this article when Vyvanse will be available in other countries such as: the UK, Australia, Europe, etc.
New Data On Duration of Action of Vyvanse in Adults with ADD/ADHD:
New research has shown that Vyvanse works in adults with ADD/ADHD for up to 14 hours. This is a real benefit for Vyvanse, as adults have many responsibilities throughout the day and into the evening. This suggests that many people can avoid taking a short acting stimulant in the early evening (i.e. Taking Adderall XR in the morning, and short acting Adderall in the late afternoon to make the medicine last), by just taking Vyvanse which will last long enough to cover the symptoms throughout the day and the early evening.
The Bottom Line About Vyvanse
Treatment and management of ADD/ADHD requires many components; this article focuses only medication. Vyvanse is a breakthrough ADD/ADHD drug and many doctors and parents will seriously consider switching from their current ADD/ADHD medication for the benefits Vyvanse offers: low abuse and addiction potential, one daily dose, and symptom control for up to 13 hours. For more information on the other treatments of ADD/ADHD: 1) sign up for my ADD/ADHD newsletter at www.TheADHDDoctor.com, and 2) peruse this blog for more articles about ADD/ADHD.
vyvanse
Help! I started Vyvanse 30 mg today and I have felt like a zombie all day. I feel so tired. Has anyone else experienced this? I did not expect to feel this way. I appreciate your comments, thanks!!
Vyvanse – The New Medicine for ADD/ADHD | ADD ADHD Blog.com…
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 through 12….
Vyvanse – The New Medicine for ADD/ADHD…
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 through 12….
Vyvanse – The New Medicine for ADD/ADHD | ADD ADHD Blog.com…
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 through 12….
Vyvanse – The New Medicine for ADD/ADHD | ADD ADHD Blog.com…
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 through 12….
I can’t believe you people are accepting as fact what everyone is writing. ADHD Meds effect EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY. Some might need to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse because of anxiety, and some might switch to Adderall from Vyvanse for anxiety. The point is the side effects and the effectivness of the focusing effects are different for each person, on any of these meds. That’s why its best to talk to your doctor about trying a new brand of stiumlant if one’s side effects are too much. People, you need to stop writing things like: I TOOK VYVANSE AND MY HEART WAS GOING TO EXPLODE AND THE DRUGS MADE ME YELL AT MY GIRLFRIEND: STAY AWAY FROM STIMULANTS. Not everyone has an axiety disorder, and not everyone is going to feel anxious like you did. I have an anxiety disorder, and have been getting therapy for that, and Vyvanse works for me just great, with no more anxiety than i usually carry. I was originally on Adderall XR, it worked great for a month or two then stopped helping me focus, and sometimes it would increase my anxiety when it wore off. Vyvanse is good for me, becuase it is designed to be consistant during the day and have less come up and come down effects in your system. That may not be the case for everyone. I’m conserned that people are confused and looking for answers about ADHD and are getting scared off by what some whacko writes on a message board. Talk to your doctor, and try the meds. Thats the only way you’ll find out whats best. These stiumlants are very safe. Yes, a handful of people (100 or so out of several million) have had serious negative reactions including death from stimulants, but as my doctor pointed out, a massive amount of people have also had fatal reactions to asprin, a drug purchasable by anyone which millions of people take everyday. Bad things can happen, but they are rare. And no, helping your child focus in school my giving them meds is not like giving them a line of coke in the morning. If you find your child is a “different” person after using these meds and you don’t like that, You can always just stop giving the medicine. All the side effects of stimulant medication (appetite loss, grouchy mood, bland personality, dry mouth) go away once one stops taking the meds. I hope this is helpful, becuase I know how scary it can be to read bullshit and not know what to believe. TALK TO A DOCTOR
Vyvanse, if you read the info that comes with it, is meant for pre-teens & teens. It is not meant for adults. I don’t think it should be used by children either! My 11 year old has been on it for 2 months (waiting for call from Dr. to get him off of it) he has become so enraged and hears voices and has conversations with them. He also has no self control at all. He has not slept a wink the past few days. I am sure he has not been sleeping for quite some time now, I just have not noticed. He cries at the drop of a hat even though he is taking an anti-depressant.
DO NOT GIVE THIS TO YOUR CHILDREN!! AFTER READING THIS BLOG I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME MORE CLINICAL STUDIES AND THIS DRUG SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE SHELVES! IT IS DISGUSTING THAT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING ABOUT THIS DRUG & NOBODY IS DOING A THING ABOUT IT!! WE TRUST THAT WE ARE NOT HARMING OUR CHILDREN OR OURSELVES WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA, BUT WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS, TRUST YOURSELVES…. TAKE YOUR KIDS OFF THIS MEDICATION! MAYBE A LETTER OR TWO FROM SOME LAWYERS WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION!
Kelli –
As an FYI – Vyvanse has been approved for Adult ADD/ADHD. See this article:
http://www.addadhdblog.com/vyvanse-for-adult-add-or-adhd/
It has been shown to be safe and a lot of kids/teens and adults are taking it safely.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
Whoa…Kelli, easy with the all caps shouting….there are many, many, did I say many? of us out here who do NOT have any serious side effects from Vyvanse. I am sorry that your son cannot take it, but there may be some other medication that will work for him. It’s trial and error. Our body chemistries are all different and that goes for many other medications as well. I take aciphex for acid reflux. My doctor switched me to another type (the purple one, I can’t remember the name), and I was sick for 2 weeks, plus my metabolism shut off and I gained almost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I switched back and was fine. He mentioned to me that this sometimes happens with the acid reflux drugs…And it happens for many others as well.
Vyvanse has been a life-saver for me and for my daughter, not to mention the rest of the family. We are finally experiencing a relatively normal family life for the first time in 14 years. I am returning to the workplace, and my family and personal relationships have improved 1000%.
Before you body-slam something, please remember that every drug has its pros and cons. If it doesn’t work for you, don’t take it. The rest of us are fine. If there comes a day when I experience an adverse effect, I will report it, and ask my doctor for something else.
By the way, sleep, diet and exercise play a HUGE role in how well this drug can work for you. Actually, all three can be affect the ADD/ADHD braina whether you are on meds or not. I can feel the difference on my “bad food” days, and it encourages me to eat properly, and get plenty of sleep. I am still working on the exercise.
Good luck to you, and keep trying to find the right med….
my son was disgnosed with severe adhd when he was 2 yrs old he has tried all the meds. he has been on adderall 70 mgs a day for 14 yrs worked for him but he had a horrible temper and stayed ill 24/7 he has been taking vyvanse 50 mg in the morning and 20 mg of lexapro at bedtime now he isnt ill and he hasnt had a temper flair in over a week and he is trying a lot more at school he has even volunteered to stay after school with his teachers to get more help i hope and pray this is what he needs after over 15 yrs of finding a med that really helps him and he is so happy it is
Vyvanese has been a god send to me. I have been on it for over 9 months as a 47 year old female. My question for the doctor is: I am suddenly so overtired. I can go to sleep at 5:30 an sleep until work the next morning. I have been for a physical and had blood work, but everythig comes out fine. The only real differene in my life is this medication. I have just been increased to 100 mg. I noticed that one of the serious side effects could be extreme tiredness. Should I be concerned and if so, what do I do? I like the medicine.Thanks
Dear all bloggers:
Thank you to you all – your posts help everyone. My 14 y.o son’s experience with Vyvanse has been positive. He is on 50 mg, but does state that it doesn’t seem to work as well now. He went from failing grades to A (not A/B!) honor roll and I can’t tell you how it has helped his self-esteem. I struggled for years NOT to put him on meds, tried everything but neurofeedback (no insurance coverage). It is expensive though, but my son’s wellbeing is worth it. Thank you Dr. Kenny for this venue!
I am a 25 year old who was diagnosed with ADD 2 years ago and have tried a few different drugs. Strattera did nothing but make me very tired. Next came Ritalin immediate-release, which worked well for the first month or so, but then became much less effective after developing a bit of tolerance. Unfortunately, when I increased the dose I started getting awful headaches around 6pm every day like clockwork. Next came adderall, the miracle drug for me. I finally know what it feels like to be efficient in life. I could never understand how other people in my life were so busy, focused and organized. I somehow managed to skate by in grade school, high school and college, but every day was a struggle. I remember watching people read or hearing from friends and family about books they loved, and thinking to myself, “how the f do these people have the patience to sit down and read a book for hours when I cant even finish a paragraph without daydreaming” This was the case for pleasurable books as well, not just text books. I had come to copes with the fact that I was never going to be able to do these things. I had written myself off as dumb or slow. I mean, I had to be, right? Wrong! Adderall opened my eyes and has given me the opportunity to enjoy all of the things I was missing out on. I am forever grateful. Something as simple as sitting down and writing this comment would have been out of the question in past. What I would do to go back in time and have been put on it as a child, wow would things have been different. Anyway, my doctor suggested trying Vyvanse. I have been taking 70mg a day for the past week and I find it to be equally as effective as adderall with less ups and downs. I also find that I have an easier time just sitting around and chilling out on Vyvanse while adderall almost forces me to be productive (not really a bad thing). All in all, great drug. for me.
On another note. I just read Nikki’s post and not only am I shocked a 2 year old was put on adderall, but 70mg daily??!! Its nothing against you, Nikki, I just didnt know that went on. I am definitely pro ADD/ADHD meds, but even if 2year olds can be diagnosed with adhd I would think adderall is too powerful of a stimulant for their fratgile little hearts. and 70mg blows my mind. I am 25 years old, 225 pounds and I take an absolute maximum of 50-60mg a day. Maybe he had a horrible temper and was sick cause his heart was about to explode…
I have a 10 year old son who has been on 30 mg of Vyvanse since August 08. This is a miracle drug for us. We have tried Ritalin, Adderall, statera, focilin etc. On these other drugs were were getting phone calls from school everyday. Homework was taking 4 hours everynight and the rage and outbursts were terrible. Since he has been on Vyvanse, he has been getting A’s and B’s in school, getting along with other children, likes going to school and comes home and does his homework without any help from us. I can’t tell you how different this drug has made his life. As for the trouble coming down from the drug, our Dr. told us to give him 2mg of Melatonin (natural herb) and it works. Before he was up till 12:00 – 1:00 in the morning, now we give him 2 pills of 1mg Melatonin at 7:30 at night and he is going to bed by himself, without any problems around 8:30 and 9:00.
Hey Doc… It has been 2 months since my 7 yr old son was swithched to vyvanse from adderall, It works great i have to say, he got a perfect report card and has been labeled the kid that will cure cancer some day. he has however lost approx 10lbs since been on it and my question is whey you answered Alans question you said that it was not a stimulant, what is it then cos i automatically thought it was and am slightly confused right now. thanks for being honest with all of us needing info in the best possible care for our child
Rhona
Hi Rhona,
I’m sorry if I said that – Vyvanse IS a stimulant. It is very close to Adderall XR, though there are some key differences.
Appetite suppression can be a real issue.
It is important to talk to your doctor about this and see if you can come up with any solutions together.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
http://www.MedicationMastery.com
http://www.ADHDWorld.com
I have been diagnosed with ADD and I have been on Dexedrine, Adderall and Adderall XR and my Doctor wants me to switch to Vyvanse. I am worried that this new medication will not be as effective. Does anyone have any experience with the transition?
My 15 year old son is starting to take vyvanse today, he has been add diagnosed and his dosage is 30 mg. all of these posts make me nervous. my son is not hyper, but he simply cannot focus on tasks at home or school. how do i find out if this med works for him or if we should try something else? this is his first add med he has taken and I just want to make sure it is the right thing for his needs? any suggestions on what to look for in him.
Christine- My 11 year old son take this and It’s a god sent. He has a focusing problem not hyper. I told my husband these meds are like gold. I worked with the teacher for the first couple of months. To make sure it was the right dose. We went down to 15mg from 30mg. Old side effects I saw on 30gm was he talked alot. Now he is getting A’s and B’s.
Thank you for the info Kaye. My son took his first pill today. He said it was easier to read today. He is on 30 mg. The other thing he said is that he felt a little jittery this afternoon. He was not in school today due to a teacher work do, so I wonder if it was lack of things to do. I will continue to monitor him. How long has your son been on this medicine?
Christine- He has been on it since April of last year. I make sure he has food before he takes it. Sometimes he has a harder time sleeping, but nothing bad.
Thank you Kaye,
He did not sleep well last night, he was awake at 4:30 in the morning and actually stayed up because he could not get back to sleep. I hope it is temporary. He did have success in reading 2 chapters in a book today and he said it was easier. His school has been closed for 3 days due to weather, so he is anxious to get back to class and see how it affects him. Thank you for all of your responses, it is great to hear from someone with realistic opinions. Thank you
A realistic opinion? Wow, just because I chose not to drug myself or my kids with a stimulant in the family of amphetamines does not mean that I am unrealistic. My niece avoided the drugs too with her son and hopefully the future issues with cardiac and other nasty side effects.
I feel for you, but because I dealt with it in other, natural ways, I am obviously not realistic? Wow again. We all have to pick our own paths. I don’t think there is a parent out there that doesn’t worry about any decisions they choose to make. The truth of the matter is, we all have survived, right or wrong, good or bad. I would be very concerned if my son didn’t sleep through the night. You should be working with a very good medication manager and I would also recommend that you keep a diary of his changes, good or bad.
Sorry, I don’t trust drug companies. Too many “gee whiz, gosh, gollie” answers from them. When they start taking responsibilities for the complications and deaths that they create, I might become compassionate. I am one of their victims, until I broke free and could figure out my answers and ween myself off the $$$$$ they got out of me.
If you want to look at some alternative, consider searching “Brain Gym” a kinetic linking system that may help your kids focus. Just because your kids don’t fit into the learning system our teachers want them to mature into does not mean they have disabilities, they are just wired a little different and probably brilliant!
Sorry I was offended by your comment and I want you to know that I wish you the best with the difficult decisions you are making with your children. Good Luck, Teresa
Christine, the advice I will give you is to be tenacious with your sons treatment and stay in contact with your family doctor. Taking the medication with food is also and excellent idea. My son, and I, take the med and it has made a world of difference in both our lives. I have always suffered from anxiety/depression as long as I can remember, even as a child. I have taken Lexapro for the last four years for anxiety/depression. It helped with both but made me feel tired all the time. Kinda like “my get up and go, got up and went”. Since starting this med my life has changed. The best way to describe it is, it’s as if the fog has lifted. The “background” noise is gone. I notice my son actually talks slower, it’s as if he’s not stumbling over his thoughts. His grades have drastically improved. His social relationships at school have improved. Overall, he seems less anxious. The med has been nothing but a positive. I think the key is getting the correct medication and the correct dose, and STARTING with the lowest dose possible. The posts on here of kids hearing things and talking to themselves are disturbing, it sounds like stimulant intoxication to me, this medically is called psychotic behavior. Start with the lowest dose, work your way up, over a period of time, and make adjustments based on therapeutic results. This is the rationale of our doctor and it worked perfectly. Good luck to all.
P.S. The last post was not written by Christine. It was written by me, Trevor. My post was directed to Christine, not thinking I put her name in the name box. One of my ADD moments.
My son, Daniel, has been failing school since kindergarten, and I had him tested with the resource dept in the school system in 1st grade, but they told me he had a high IQ and they couldn’t do anything for him. He still struggled in school but was always put ahead in class. He couldn’t focus on his schoolwork and never learned the basics. He has had f grades as long as I can remember. He has been to councilling but he refused to go after first visit. A few years ago, a school counselor had us sign to have him tested for add and other learning disabilities and we never heard anything from them. He decided to go to another school (a charter school) to see if he could improve, but he got f’s in everything. When he went back to regular school this year I decided enough was enough and contacted everybody in the school system I could. They referred me to the Center for Learning Disabilities and low and behold after two sessions and alot of testing and paperwork, they find he has inattentive type ADD and a mild case of aspergers disorder. He doesn’t want to go on medicine and thinks he will turn into someone else, but I drug him to the doctor today and they are trying this vyvanse 30 mg, so he starts tomorrow. I don’t know what to expect after reading all these comments. I hope and pray it will work for him, because we have had years and years of frustration, and he thinks he is dumb but he does have a high IQ.. I sure hope it works
Good Luck Ann, I know about Asperger’s and it sounds like with the ADD as well, you have no other choice. I hope it works for him. If not, don’t give up hope. I would also encourage you to try dietary changes. Environment and food sensitivities are tough. Please clean only with Vinegar and water. Chemicals may really trigger him. If you have animals in the house, they will thank you too.
Vinegar is an excellent germ killer!
My son has been on the medicine for a few days, but wont take it over the weekend because he wants to catch up on his sleep. The first day he reported that he could think clearly, that it cleared up the “static” in his head. He said you know like when you have static on the telephone line, well that is what it is like in my head. Plus he couldn’t sleep in class like he does when he turns off what the teacher is saying. So with this, he got four assignments done in one class and two assignments done in another class. Usually he gets nothing done in any classes. The only thing he doesn’t like about it is that it is hard to get to sleep. Hallelujah. I hope it continues to work for him.
My 5yr old was prescribed Vyvanse 30mg capsules to be taken once in the morning. I tried it on a saturday so I could monitor the effects. Well as soon as it kicked in, he started talking uncontrollaby, non stop. His heart was beating much faster and he was taking short fast breaths of air. I called the after hours nurse and she said that it has not been in his blood stream long enough to work properly. Okay, my son threw up 2 times and couldnt keep anything down, the medicine finally subsided at 9:30pm that night. I didnt give him anymore and today I am going to his doctor for a consultation regarding this medicine. I dont like how it effected my child. Please advise me if this is normal or if taking him off of it would be the right thing. Thank you
Hi Trina,
This is the very same reaction my niece’s son had with this drug. Vomiting is a very bad reaction. The nurse is an idiot. Talk to your pharmacist about this reaction, it is documented.
What happens to a person if he/she takes 3 or more 70mg Vyvanse pills?
Austin,
It isn’t a good idea, if your doctor has not prescribed this. Did you take that many or are you thinking of taking that many? I am concerned about your question and hope if you are asking about yourself, family member or friend that you please call someone or contact your doctor immediately! Please, if you are thinking of taking that many, don’t. It could harm you if it is not what your doctor prescribed.
Teresa,
Thank you. I did tell his doctor and the pharmacist about his reactions. The doctor prescribed him 5mg Ritalin. Which is only to last 4 hours. So I again gave it to him this past Saturday and he seemed fine. He was talking but not crazy like or to where I could’nt control it. So today is the real test when he is give it to him 30 min before his lunch because after lunch he goes to pre school. I am crossing my fingers that he wont have a horrible time today. I am still monitoring him and looking for any negative reactions. As for Vyvanse, never again…I flushed the med down the toilet (it was free with a coupon) so no money was lost.
I am seeking counseling for my child as well as tightening the parenting belt and working with his teacher to help him improve. The medicine is not a cure all thats for sure.
Trina,
I am so happy for you. I know it is hard and my best thoughts are with you. Ritalin is an old reliable drug. If it makes a difference, that is wonderful. Chances are your son is a tactile learner (my boys both were). You might try googling that learning style and see if that fits your situation. You will have to engage him in education a different way. Most classroom situations teach by Audio or some Visual which really makes learning difficult for many individuals. Just another lesson I had to learn the hard way! I took my boys to Sylvan Learning for extra help and they had creative ways of teaching them to help themselves in class. Hang in there, you are not alone!
Okay I’m not entirely sure how this website forum works out but I have a question if anyone is experiencing what I am please feel free to leave a comment but if there’s a doctor who can help that’d be great. Alright so I started taking Vyvanse about 3 days ago and I haven’t used it enough to know really, but I feel that it is doing something for me. I am 15 years old and I tried concerta before but it didnt help at all and had some side effects including faster heart beats, more sweat and all that so I got off of it about a month after I started using it. But I was kind of expecting to lose a few pounds with Vyvanse but instead I feel like im gaining weight?? A little confused here because I workout everyday..pretty hardcore workouts too..have a balanced diet but in the past few days (since I started on Vyvanse) i really think im gaining weight. somehow so please let me know if this is happening to you too or if you know why this could be..Thanks so much!
Danielle,
I would say that a couple of days is not enough to know. Talk to your Pharmacist about it if you really get concerned or you might try checking what the rare side effects are. It would be too weird for it to happen this soon. I hope you aren’t taking this to loose weight. A healthy diet and exercise should certainly be sufficient. Good Luck!
Question! I have been taking vyvanse for a few months now. I love it! Before i started taking the med. i had about a 15 pound weight lose. I did lose about 5 more pounds after starting to take the medication. My question is will vyvanse make you lose weight the whole time you are on the medication? my doctor says my weight is healthy and that i am fine. but because friends anf family do not go to my doctors app. with me. they all blame my weight lose on the vyvanse. Even thought i was losing the weight before ever taking the vyvanse. I just don’t know how to respond to them when they have comments about my weight and then blame it on the medicine i take. my weight has been the same for the last few months so no more weight lose has accured. Thank you!
I am 24 years old and have been living with ADD all my life, although its taken this long to finally get a diagnoses and medication. Its actaully very relieving having blogs such as this because reading everyone else’s experience struggling with ADD makes me feel not so alone and like someone else understands this craziness thats been going on in my head for as long as I remember.
Ive tried the whole gamut of ADD drugs from ritalin to adderall to concerta to now vyvanse. I have to say that ive been most impressed with vyvanse. Rit and Concerta did nothing for me… no concentration whatsoever, it just put me in a solomn mood. Adderall was amazing and i was uber rediculously productive although it was always so obvious to myself and others that I was ON something. I also hated the ups and downs and the crash at the end… the highs were awesome and euphoric but the lows were flat out depressing. Vyvanse im happy to say doesnt have the same ups and downs. Its steady. I do feel however like im zoned and it can be hours till i get out of the zone– much more of a zone than with Adderall. Its like nothing else can come in– projects at work dont get interrupted until they are finished completely…. im used to hyperfocusing on anything but the task at hand (in particular mindless internet browsing!!!), but not on Vyvanse.
Other side effects for me have definitely been a loss of appetite and really an inability to eat at all. I have to force myself to put something in my mind for fear of collapse because my blood sugar is probably so low. Some insomnia is also happening. Another thing i have noticed is i feel like vyvanse makes me have no personality. I feel like my sense of humor/goofiness is tottally stifled when im on the drug. Perhaps my ADD brain… the soace cadet one that has all the crazy ideas and cant think about one thing at a time is what contributed to my personalaty/sense of humor. Its kindof sad that the drug is like getting a lobotomy, but in exchange I get a lifestyle that is finally somewhat in order, a clean house, bills that finally get paid, and kudos from my boss for being so on top of things… WHICH is why i dont like to take the pills every day… sometimes its nice to sink into my old ways of being loopy and careless… does anyone else agree or find some sort of solace in being your ‘old’ self once in a while?
Anyways, im still on month 1 of vyvanse so I am curious to see how it works for me long term. My doc titrated me from 30s to 50s to 70s… Im still up in the air whether i prefer the 50s or the 70s. 70s make me feel a little overstimulated i think….
Its good to hear all of your feedback and I hope mine was helpfull as well. Thank you!
One more question…. does anyone have a dual Rx for both vyvanse and adderall? Some days I need to be focused all day long and its great but the insomnia can be really bothersome and of course leaves me feeling way too drained. It would be nice if i could take vyvanse some days and adderall (not extended release) some others… as in, some days i only “need” a few hours of productivity.
is there any evidence/has anyone experienced negative effects in ‘mixing’ the drugs or going from one to the other? Is there any reason a doc would be hesitant to write a dual Rx like this?
Thanks.
My 14 almost 15 year old daughter has never before taken anything for her ADD. This is her first day on vyvanse. She had an episode of uncontrollable crying at school. Is this a known side effect? She said she was not sad and does not know why she was crying.
Bell,
I have RX’s for both Adderall and Vyvanse, however they are both the XR variety. I get different results from each, with Adderall being my consistent choice. I only take my meds as needed: when I have exams, meetings, or days when I really need to be on my game. Also, pay attention to when you take the drug and the effect that has on you. I used to take them about half hour before my first meal of the day, now I take them right after breakfast or a half hour afterward. I find this eases the intensity of the feeling of being “on” with the meds.
Regarding personality: I have had the EXACT feelings you had, where I feel completely logical minded and purpose driven, often losing track of time because I’m so focused on a given project. I don’t lose my sense of humor per se, but do find that my attitude can be quite serious if I’m not monitoring it. I would say this is more of a dosage issue. I personally believe in taking the minimum amount I need to get results, and don’t want to increase it if I don’t need to. Feeling completely logic driven is usually my cue to take a day or two away from the meds.
Hope this helps.
Aaron K
PLEASE HELP!!
I started taking Vyvanse in July of 2008. I was happy with the way I was able to focus and get things acclompished, but was really having a hard time (along with my family)with some of the side effects. About 2 hours after having the medication in me, I start to get really angry. Everything upsets me, and no one likes being around me. I feel like I am a different person, and I don’t find the happiness in life that I used too.
I went back on medication (after completing my family) to help me. I was tired of feeling like I was failing my kids, my husband, and myself. I wonder, at this point if I made the right choice. I love the ways the medication helps me, it has really imporved with the way I run my home, my organization, the things I am able to get acclompished. I never want to go back to my “old self” in that way, but I long to feel and act the same way I used too.
Three months after being on Vyvanse, my husband lost his job, and along with that went our health insurance. My family (parents) were so happy with the changes they saw in me, have helped cover the cost of the medication out of pocket. The Dr. I am seeing really seems clueless about vyvanse, and for that matter ADD in general. He’s a family Dr. I REALLY want to stay on medication for ADD, I love the ways it has helped, but can’t stand the side effects (my mood for the most part) I don’t trust, or like this Dr. I am seeing, but I can’t afford to look around for a Dr. I trust, and have confidance in. I also can’t keep paying $140.00 out of pocket, a month for this medication.
So if anyone can help answer a couple questions for me (considering I have clueless Dr. at this point) it would be VERY helpful! I don’t know what else too do!
First, is there another medication I could try that is simular to Vyvanse, but without the nasty side effects? (I understand for every person it might be different, but some direction is better then none) I am on 60mg once a day.
Also, I was told by my pharmacy that Vyvanse was often perscribed to people who might have problems with addictions (which I don’t) and that it’s known to last longer then other ADD medications. She told me to ask my Dr. about Methylin ER. She also said most ADD medications basically do the same things. It would save me $100.00 a month switching to this medication, but it’s not worth it if i don’t get the same good results as I have with Vyvanse. If it’s true that all ADD medications are the same (basically) then why would my side effects be any different by switching to a different medication?
I want to start a new chaper in my life, by helping myself in the ways I know i can, I never want to go back to my old ways. I just want to be the happy, loving, caring person I once was, and I don’t want to go broke at the same time. Is there any hope for me?
Please help if you can!
Hi Angela,
I am sorry for your pain. I understand that you are frightened. However, your Pharmacist may have an excellent point. Their drug education is far superior to the Physicians and I would consider this other drug. The older ones (or generics) have been around awhile. Look it up on Medline or Web MD and see what the side affects are that are listed. Vyvanase is metabolized differently than the older drugs (there is less of an issue with kids who abuse them) but that does not make it a better drug for you.
Another option, if you want to stay on it consider reducing your dose, you may just be on too much. Feeling agitated is a terrible side affect for you and your family. To be able to afford staying on this drug…sometimes Pharmaceutical companies have special programs for people who have suffered a loss of job and lost their health insurance. You might try contacting them to see if you qualify for a reduced program.
The latest research according to my Psychologist is, you need to create a schedule for yourself. After working on a project for 20 minutes take a couple minute break. Use an egg timer if you have to. Meditation is very helpful and should be a part of your daily life. But if you fail to adhere to a schedule, your ADD/ADHD behaviors will be as bad as before. Medication is the only easy solution.
I have managed to stay medication free for about 5 years with a lot of hard work. But I certainly respect peoples decisions to use medication. Hang in there! The one thing I know for sure about ADD people is they are usually quite brilliant and incredibly capable. Unfortunately we have to create how to survive in this world, fight to be what we perceive is normal.
Good Luck,
Teresa
Teresa,
Thank you so much for taking time out to respond me!
I was so exicted to hear that Pharmaceutical companies have these programs that offer people help through job loss, or loss of health insurance. I had no idea there was even anything out there that offered that kind of assistance, that’s wonderful!
You had also mentioned that you have stayed off of medication for 5 years, that’s wonderful as well! But if you don’t mind me asking how have you found your success? I truly believe that it’s within all of us to find our own success, and become who we want to be, without being medicated. I know for myself when I was told I had ADD through my Psychologist (15 years ago) my first thought was “Thank goodness, I’m not stupid.” I along with my parents, (who were very involved) tried everything possible while I was growing up to help me succeed. Not much was known about ADD at that time, so this was was never suggested. I was always just told I had learning disabilities.
Over the last 10 years I have been having babies (5 kids now) and along trying to deal with what my Psychologist told me at the time “Extreme ADD”. I can deal with the constant failing of my own self (have done it long enough) but I will not accept that my kids have to suffer and pay the price, because mom is an “airhead” I have read and tried SO MANY things, ever since my struggles started in 1st grade. I have tried every schedule possible, trying to find something that would work for me (along with much, much more) This has made a HUGE impact on my life, and I am sick of failing. I went to medication as a last resort, feeling good about the choice, considering I was done having my family, and could work on myself, so in return I could be the kind of mother I wanted and needed to be for my kids.
I like you, have worked my butt off trying to find my answer. This medication has given me my first little bit of hope, of becoming what I want to be. BUT…the medication does no good, if it changes the person, and I can’t accept that I will not be the happy, caring, loving person that I once was. Don’t get me wrong, I still am that person, but not like I used too be.
So, what made you decide to stop being medicated? Was your Psychologist a big help to you, in helping you find a direction?
If you don’t feel comfortable answering these questions, no problem! I just love hearing other stories of how they found success with their different challenges.
Thanks again for responding,
Angie
SORRY FOLKS: LONG-TERM USE VYVANSE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE FIRST 6 MONTHS – 1 YEAR.
I am a 20 year old female who has been taking vyvanse for about 2 years now. I am severely ADD, and struggled with various common comorbidities such as severe OCD, anorexia nervosa and panic disorder as a child/adolescent. Recovering from Anorexia nervosa at 16, I developed bulimia and then my psychiatrist finally diagnosed with ADD and put on adderall XR at 16, my world changed and for the first time I could think clearly and did not feel trapped and desperate for a coping mechanism (i.e anorexia, bulimia). When vyvanse was released, my doc switched me over.
Well, after experiencing life as it should be on my meds, I literally could not function without them (BEFORE I developed tolerance). Life was good, vyvanse 50mg lasted 12 hrs, I stayed skinny, all was well.
Well…as 50mg lasted fewer and fewer hours, I began taking two: one each 12 hours, every other day. This worked pretty well, but over time I grew ever tolerant and had to go to 70mg to produce the same level of functioning even though the crash can last hours and is a physical AND emotional HELL, and my side effects like racing heart and decreased circulation were more pronounced.
Here I am, 2 years later, APPETITE SUPPRESSION LASTS ONLY A FEW HOURS ANYMORE and I’ve gained a little weight because as soon as it is out of my system, I can’t control my appetite, which has led me back to bulimia and is ruining my life, I only dream of being able to have it in my system 24/7 because now with my dependence, even the 30minutes that I’m not on it is miserable…I can’t be awakened, I feel like I have the energy of someone recovering from being run over by a train, I have no motivation… BUT the side effects are so intense that even after 2 years, I’m SCARED every time i take it and very scared to take 70mg twice a day for fear of having a stroke or MI. I do not regret this drug, I only desperately want to find a solution.
My son started this today, 30mg. This is the first ADD med he has ever been on. He has stuttered since he could speak, from severe to mild, just peaks and valleys, but is textbook ADD, not ADHD. He is 10, and I’ve wrestled with putting him on meds for a long time. He is “gifted”, and my husband was also diagnosed ADD much later in life. Feeling very guilty, but his grades are starting to suffer, and found out my Dr, who I have a WONDERFUL relationship with, has a 16yo daughter on the same med. Anyone have a stuttering child on this med? Just wondering if it would help that as well. Nothing documented linking ADD to stuttering, but wanted to know if anyone had personal experience.
Hi Angela,
I certainly do not mind answering your questions. I have ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Panic as well as depression so trying to stabilize was what I did for 15 years on medication combination’s of every sort. I felt dead all the time, had no joy.
I started taking liquid vitamins and antioxidants and began to feel stronger. I use a grapefruit mist to elevate my moods. I realized I was very sensitive to smells and found some chemicals made me almost manic and angry, it was awful to feel like I could loose control. Because of that connection I started to choose chemical alternatives in my home like vinegar and other natural alternatives.
I also began to be more conscious of my dietary choices. Medications were responsible for a 70lb weight gain. I still am battling getting my figure back but I am well on my way. I read that in an embryonic state the cell that is the brain divides into the intestinal system connected by the vegas nerve. When I read about that, I thought that maybe I should create a very healthy intestinal tract. The gut actually produces more serotonin than the brain so I felt like that may be a huge connection for me in creating my own healthy balance.
I heard an excellent speaker talk about the dangers of all of these medications and I took her advice on how to withdraw. Everytime in the past I withdrew from medication with my Psycho pharmacologist I really suffered. Her advice was if you have been medicated over 5 years, that you must come off the drugs over a two year period, medicated for 2 years, you can come off in one.
I reduced my meds so slowly that my body did not realize what I was doing, literally using a knife too shave a small portion off a tablet or count out the balls in a capsule, maintaining that level for a week or two and then reducing again by another shave until I got it to an approximate quarter, then I used a pill splitter and divided it in quarters. Then I would get a lesser script for the next round. I tried to not stress my body and there would be times when I felt I couldn’t do anymore for even a month.
I won’t say it was easy. Nothing in my life has been easy because just like you I thought I was so very stupid. I had taken my boys to Sylvan Learning Center to be tested for additional help in school. They introduced me to learning styles and I have found that I am a visual learner. I must make charts and graphs, I need pictures to engage me which is why I failed so miserably with school. I am the person that can read a book and have no clue what I just read. I read the words but had no comprehension abilities. I actually have a reasonably high IQ.
So my choice for not medicating is over my greatest concern about my personal failure with so many drugs and the side effects I experienced. I am going to talk to my Physician about a short term acting drug that may help me with attention when I need to study. What I have to do now is read slowly out loud and take notes to comprehend making it a very long and tedious process. However, if anxiety is my response, I won’t be able to handle it. I will just have to cope in my own way.
I hang on to hope that new connections are being made all the time about the brain. I work very hard at educating myself and trying to be as healthy as I can be. I am sorry this was long, but I felt you needed to really understand where I am coming from.
As of today, I am using herbal combination’s to detox my liver, kidneys, gal bladder and intestinal tract alternating those programs. So many of the drugs I took were broken down in the liver or even kidneys so I am trying to stimulate and heal these organs sticking to my theory that brain health is connected to intestinal and overall gut health. I do sudoku and brain exercises each day hoping to stimulate and create new pathways (which is actually proven medically) I hope this all makes sense to you. I wish you well in your choices. Five kids makes an incredibly busy life! They do deserve your best.
Eleanor, I read your post and certainly can relate to your frustrations. I know this sounds radical, but if I were you, I would research and find a thirty day detox program. I know it won’t be easy, but you need to start over at ground zero with an excellent physician and staff to monitor your health conditions. The damage you may have already done to your heart may be irreversible. (One of the nasty little Vyvanse side affects) We have to be careful about balance and I feel like maybe you love feeling like super woman. I like that too, but I know it is not normal. You are not alone. I wish you well.
Teresa
My 10 year old son takes Vyvanse and it has done wonders for him. When he was first diagnosed with ADHD his pediatrician put him on Adderall 5mg. I would give it to him at 7 am when he woke before he would eat his breakfast. He was at school for 8:30 am. So it has done kicked in by then. Well he would come home from school at 3:45 and by 4 pm he would come down HARD off of adderall and would just strain his body and scream and slam things and was chasing his older sister to hit her. I was scared for my self and him as well. A friend talked to me about Vyvanse and how it changed her life so, I talked to my sons dr. and she didnt even hesitate to switch him. His grades went from C’s and D’s to A honor roll. Only symtom was that it surpressed his appetite during lunch time. And b/c of that he did end up losing 2 to 3 pounds but we were told to up the sugar intake and carbs. With in no time he gained it back. His behavior improved tramendously. But We realize that vyvanse is not the answer to “fix” his problems. We do understand that it is just a boost. His changes came from good parenting skills. With a little help from in home counseling for parent and child. Some people dont believe in or want to take time or spend the money, but you can not put a price on your children. It is Worth it and I highly recommend it . We are glad and happy with vyvanse and unlike the adderall, vyvanse does last for him over 12 hours could be more but he is in bed by 8 pm so we dont know if it last longer than 13 hours. But I dont dought it. It’s not addictive and it is not as harmful to him as adderall etc., and LESS side effects. I recommend Vyvanse to any parent or adult who is in need. We are satisfied and our son will continue to use it. And if there are people out there looking for it to get high or mis use it…your in for a let down. And if you are , you really need to get help.
Hi,
I’ve been taking vyvanse for about 6 months. I am 28 and just found out I have been ADHD-c my entire life. When I first started taking vyvanse (30mg daily) I felt it was a miracle drug. I am still on the same dosage and it works great but I have a problem with drowsiness when taking it. I gave it time to get over the side effect but it is still happening. It’s so severe at times that I will actually fall asleep as soon as it kicks in. I read that about 2% of users can experience drowsiness but I haven’t seen any other information or talk from other users concerning this issue – maybe because it is so rare. If anyone knows more about this issue please let me know. I will be so disappointed about having to stop taking the medication since it helped me so much otherwise. Thanks!
Renee