Generic name: Lisdexamfetamine Capsules [lis-dex-am-FET-a-meen]
Brand name: Vyvanse
Drug class: CNS stimulants
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 16, 2024.
Warning
- This medicine has a risk of abuse and misuse. This medicine may also be habit-forming if taken for a long time. Do not take for longer than you have been told by your doctor. Use only as you were told. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been addicted to any drugs or alcohol. Misuse of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) may cause heart-related side effects or even sudden death.
Uses of Vyvanse:
- It is used to treat attention deficit problems with hyperactivity.
- It is used to treat binge eating disorder.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Vyvanse?
- If you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine or any other part of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules).
- If you are allergic to Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules); any part of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you or a family member have any of these health problems: Blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, heart structure problems or other heart problems, or Tourette's syndrome or tics.
- If you have any of these health problems: Glaucoma, agitation, anxiety, or overactive thyroid.
- If you have ever had any of these health problems: Drug abuse or stroke.
- If you are taking acetazolamide.
- If you are taking sodium bicarbonate.
- If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules).
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules).
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Vyvanse?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- This medicine is not approved for weight loss or to treat obesity. Talk with the doctor.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) affects you.
- If you have been taking Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) for a long time or at high doses, it may not work as well and you may need higher doses to get the same effect. This is known as tolerance. Call your doctor if Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) stops working well. Do not take more than ordered.
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- If you have been taking Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules).
- You may need to have some heart tests before starting Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules). If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may cause high blood pressure.
- Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
- This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules).
- Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
- A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
- New or worse behavior and mood changes like change in thinking, anger, and hallucinations have happened with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules). Tell your doctor if you or a family member have any mental or mood problems like depression or bipolar illness, or if a family member has committed suicide. Call your doctor right away if you have hallucinations; change in the way you act; or signs of mood changes like depression, thoughts of suicide, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
- This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) while you are pregnant.
How is this medicine (Vyvanse) best taken?
Use Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) at the same time of day.
- Take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) early in the day to prevent sleep problems.
- Take with or without food.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- You may open the capsule and mix the powder with water, orange juice, or yogurt. If needed, a spoon may be used to break apart powder that is stuck together. Mix well.
- If mixed, swallow the mixed drug right away. Do not store for use at a later time.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Detailed Vyvanse dosage information
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- A fast heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Not able to get or keep an erection.
- Lowered interest in sex.
- Restlessness.
- Shakiness.
- Change in color of hands or feet from pale to blue or red.
- Numbness, pain, tingling, or cold feeling of the hands or feet.
- Any sores or wounds on the fingers or toes.
- Dark urine.
- Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths have happened in adults taking Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules). Sudden deaths have also happened in children with some heart problems or heart defects. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat; weakness on 1 side of the body; trouble speaking or thinking; change in balance; drooping on 1 side of the face; change in eyesight; chest pain or pressure; shortness of breath; or severe dizziness or passing out.
- A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.
Vyvanse side effects (more detail)
What are some other side effects of Vyvanse?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Anxiety.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Dry mouth.
- Feeling jittery.
- Not hungry.
- Weight loss.
- Not able to sleep.
- Dizziness.
- Belly pain.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Vyvanse?
- Store at room temperature.
- Protect from light.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules) is refilled. If you have any questions about Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine capsules), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Frequently asked questions
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View more FAQ
More about Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
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- Drug class: CNS stimulants
- Breastfeeding
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Patient resources
- Vyvanse drug information
- Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine Chewable Tablets)
Professional resources
- Vyvanse prescribing information
- Lisdexamfetamine (AHFS Monograph)
Related treatment guides
- Binge Eating Disorder
- ADHD
Further information
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