Key takeaways
Vyvanse is a prescription medication and controlled substance that is an effective treatment for ADHD, but can also be overused or misused.
Too much Vyvanse can cause side effects like anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping. Spotting these signs early can help prevent bigger problems.
Signs of a Vyvanse overdose include confusion, rapid breathing, and heart issues. Get medical help right away if any of these severe symptoms happen.
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is an effective prescription stimulant for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder, but taking a dose that’s too high can cause uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects. Common signs your Vyvanse dose may be too high include anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, rapid heart rate, and feeling jittery. Severe symptoms, such as chest pain, confusion, seizures, or hallucinations, may signal an overdose and require immediate medical attention.
Signs your Vyvanse dose is too high
A Vyvanse dose that is too high can increase the risk of negative side effects that interfere with daily function or are unable to be tolerated. Examples include:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Feeling jittery
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight loss
Mild to moderate signs your dose may be too high |
|
|---|---|
| Symptom | What it may mean |
| Trouble sleeping | Your dose may be too high or taken too late in the day. |
| Anxiety | You may be more sensitive to your current dose. Talk to your healthcare provider if it continues. |
| Fast heartbeat | Common but should be discussed with your healthcare provider. |
| Loss of appetite | Often improves with dose adjustments. |
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Can you overdose on Vyvanse?
Taking too much Vyvanse can lead to overdose. An accidental overdose may occur if a person takes more than the prescribed dose of Vyvanse and exceeds the maximum daily dosage (70 mg per day). However, the risk of overdose increases if Vyvanse is misused for recreational purposes, is taken without medical supervision, or is taken at a very high dose.
If untreated, a Vyvanse overdose can be fatal, especially if Vyvanse is used in unapproved ways, like snorting or injection.
Signs of a Vyvanse overdose
Taking more Vyvanse than recommended can also cause overdose, which can lead to serious complications such as muscle tissue breakdown, circulatory collapse, seizures, coma, and even death. A Vyvanse overdose is a medical emergency and needs medical attention immediately. Signs of an overdose include the following:
- Aggression
- Coma
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Heart problems, such as a heart attack or irregular heartbeat
- High or low blood pressure
- Very high body temperature
- Panic
- Hallucinations
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
- Stomach cramps
- Tremors
Maximum Vyvanse dosage
The maximum Vyvanse dosage recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is 70 mg once a day for approved indications. Vyvanse is usually started at a much lower dose (30 mg once a day) and slowly increased in increments of 10 or 20 mg to reach an effective dose that works for each person. Vyvanse should be taken in the morning with or without food.
RELATED: Vyvanse vs. Ritalin
What to do if you overdose on Vyvanse
If you believe you or a loved one has overdosed on Vyvanse, it’s vital to seek medical care right away. Call your healthcare provider or Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If overdose symptoms are severe, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
Vyvanse overdose is treated based on the severity of symptoms and how much and when Vyvanse was taken. A healthcare provider will assess the situation and provide supportive care based on the patient’s symptoms. Treatment options may include:
- Benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam) to manage severe agitation and seizures.
- Intravenous fluids are given to help replenish water and electrolytes in the body and address rhabdomyolysis or hyperthermia.
With prompt and appropriate supportive care, most people who overdose on Vyvanse can fully recover, and fatalities are rare.
How to find the right dosage of Vyvanse
The same Vyvanse treatment plan won’t work for everyone. Some people only tolerate small doses of Vyvanse, while others require higher doses to manage their symptoms. It’s important to recognize how someone may respond to Vyvanse when the dose is too little, just enough, or too much.
Is your Vyvanse dosage working? |
||
|---|---|---|
| Too low | Just right | Too high |
| ADHD symptoms uncontrolled | Better focus | Anxiety |
| Distracted | Improved productivity | Insomnia |
| Impulsive | Fewer symptoms | Appetite loss |
| Frequent binge episodes | Improved control | Fast heartbeat |
The ideal Vyvanse dose should strike a balance between improving disease symptoms and minimizing side effects. A healthcare provider will help find a suitable treatment regimen that is individualized for each person.
How to prevent Vyvanse overdose
Vyvanse overdose is avoidable. There are steps that you or a loved one can take to prevent Vyvanse overdose:
- Follow a titration schedule. Your healthcare provider will advise you on a dosing schedule. Healthcare providers typically prescribe a low dose initially, and then the amount is increased in weekly intervals, if needed, until the most effective dose that minimizes side effects is reached.
- Avoid certain antidepressants. Vyvanse interacts with certain antidepressants. Taking Vyvanse with these medications increases the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. To prevent this reaction, Vyvanse should not be taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). If approved by the healthcare provider, Vyvanse may be taken with other antidepressants such as SSRIs, but the patient should be closely monitored for signs of drug interactions.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a sedative and counteracts the stimulant effect of Vyvanse. Therefore, drinking alcohol can make it feel like Vyvanse is not working. This can lead to people taking higher doses of Vyvanse because they don’t feel the effects of the drug, which increases the risk of overdose.
- Take Vyvanse as directed. Accidentally taking an extra dose of Vyvanse or using it without a prescription can increase the risk of side effects. Take Vyvanse at the same time each day to avoid double-dosing. Make sure to take Vyvanse exactly as prescribed.
- Never let someone else take your medication. A study among college students found that around 33% of students have shared their prescription drugs with someone else. Sharing Vyvanse in this way can lead to dangerous consequences like overdose. Always keep Vyvanse in a secure place that is not easily accessible to others.
Vyvanse misuse
While Vyvanse is an effective treatment for mental health disorders, it is an amphetamine and has the potential to be abused and misused. Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it can lead to psychological and physical dependence. There is a boxed warning for Vyvanse due to the potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Drug misuse means that the medication is taken in a way other than prescribed. Some people misuse prescription stimulants to improve mental or athletic performance. Others try snorting the drugs or injecting them into a vein to produce feelings of euphoria.
Because of its formulation, Vyvanse may have lower drug abuse potential than some other stimulant ADHD medications, but it is still a Schedule II controlled substance with a high risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction.. Taking Vyvanse incorrectly can increase the risk of addiction and abuse. Having a family history of substance use disorder can also increase the likelihood of dependence. Please share all relevant personal medical history and family history with your healthcare professional.
RELATED: Vyvanse vs. Adderall
Warning signs in children or teenagers
Children and teenagers are at risk of misusing prescription drugs because of their easy accessibility. A child may accidentally take Vyvanse from a medication bottle left on the table. Teenagers may misuse Vyvanse to help them study for an exam or for the purpose of getting high. It’s essential for parents to recognize the signs and common symptoms of possible Vyvanse misuse to prevent unwanted side effects and serious consequences like overdose.
Children and teenagers who misuse ADHD stimulants may exhibit the following behaviors and symptoms:
- Behaviors: Problems in school, isolation, secrecy, changes in friends, activities, or spending habits
- Physical symptoms: Insomnia, weight loss, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, feeling jittery
- Mental symptoms: Mood swings, anxiety, aggression, paranoia
Parents or caregivers who recognize any of these warning signs should talk with their child about the dangers of drug misuse in an open and honest way. Parents should also closely monitor prescription medicines at home and secure them out of the reach of children. Talk to your children about the importance of taking their medication at the right dose and being responsible with their Vyvanse use.
Vyvanse addiction and rehab resources
Many treatment options are available for individuals who develop an addiction to Vyvanse. Healthcare providers will individualize treatment based on the person’s symptoms, Vyvanse dosage, and overall health. They may recommend behavioral therapy or medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms. With the right support, long-term recovery is attainable.
To learn more information about treatments for Vyvanse abuse and addiction, visit:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline
- National Institute on Drug Abuse resources
- USA.gov resources
When should you call your prescriber?
Never change your Vyvanse dose without talking to the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- Side effects don’t improve after a week or two
- You can’t sleep
- You’ve lost a significant amount of weight
- Your heart races regularly
- Anxiety is interfering with daily life
- Your medication wears off too quickly
If you think your dose is too high, contact your prescriber before stopping the medication or making changes on your own.
Frequently asked questions
Can 70 mg of Vyvanse be too much?
Maybe. Healthcare providers usually prescribe the lowest effective dose, and this dose may range from 30 to 70 mg daily.
How long do Vyvanse side effects last?
It depends on the person. Side effects can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks as your body gets used to the medication.
Can Vyvanse cause anxiety?
Yes. In clinical trials, anxiety was one of the most common side effects among children with ADHD who took Vyvanse.
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