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Drug Info

Can you take Vyvanse for weight loss?

What you should know about this FDA-approved controlled substance
Wendy Wisner
By | Oct. 4, 2023 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.

Managing your weight can be challenging, which is why many people look for relatively quick and easy ways to drop some pounds. That’s why you may have seen people talk about a medication called Vyvanse, which is FDA approved to treat ADHD and binge eating disorder, as a good option for weight loss.

The reality, though, is that while weight loss can be a side effect of taking Vyvanse, the drug should not be used for the sole purpose of losing weight. This is because Vyvanse can cause serious side effects—beyond weight loss—and has the potential to be addictive. It should only be used under the strict supervision of a medical provider and only for its approved purposes.

Read on to learn more about Vyvanse, including what it’s used for and why it shouldn’t be used for weight loss, as well as safer options for weight loss, including lifestyle changes and FDA-approved weight-loss medications.

Does Vyvanse cause weight loss?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a type of long-acting amphetamine. Amphetamines are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that increase the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in your body.

As a result, Vyvanse “improves attention span, controls hyperactivity, and improves mood,” says Yusra Jamal, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New York City. This is why it’s prescribed to treat CNS disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, she explains.  

That said, in studies, Vyvanse was found to reduce the number of binge eating episodes in people who have binge eating disorder due to the increase in dopamine levels in the brain. 

Plus, Ana Maria Kausel, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist in Miami, says stimulants like Vyvanse “put the body in a fight or flight response, hence suppressing appetite and increasing the metabolism.”

In 2015, the FDA approved Vyvanse to be used in the treatment of binge eating disorder. As of now, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is the only FDA-approved drug to treat this health condition.

Minisha Sood, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, doesn’t recommend Vyvanse for the sole purpose of weight loss, but she says weight loss is sometimes an unintentional side effect of the medication. 

“The typical weight loss is up to five pounds but can vary across individuals,” Dr. Sood says. In clinical trials of Vyvanse, adults lost an average of 2.8 to 4.3 pounds over the course of four weeks, children 13 to 17 lost an average of 2.7 to 4.8 pounds, and children 6 to 12 lost an average of .9 to 2.5 pounds. 

Do other ADHD medications cause weight loss?

Vyvanse isn’t the only ADHD medication that’s known to cause weight loss as a side effect. According to Dr. Jamal, the following CNS stimulants/ADHD medications may also cause weight loss by suppressing your appetite:

Is Vyvanse approved for weight loss? 

Vyvanse is not approved for weight loss, nor should it be used for that purpose. The FDA has approved Vyvanse only for the treatment of ADHD symptoms (in adults and children 6 years and older) and binge eating disorder (in adults). In fact, the official FDA guidance about Vyvanse specifically warns against off-label use (a use that is not approved by the FDA) for weight loss, stating, “Vyvanse is not indicated or recommended for weight loss. Use of other sympathomimetic drugs for weight loss has been associated with serious cardiovascular adverse events. The safety and effectiveness of Vyvanse for the treatment of obesity have not been established.”

Risks of Vyvanse for weight loss

As Alex Foxman, MD, internist and medical director of Achieve Health and Weight Loss, emphasizes, Vyvanse is not a safe or effective way to lose weight outside of healthcare provider-guided binge eating disorder treatment. “Vyvanse is only approved for treating ADHD and BED, and it should be used with caution and under medical supervision,” Dr. Foxman says. “It can cause serious side effects that outweigh any potential benefits.”

So, what exactly happens if you take Vyvanse and you don’t have ADHD? “Because it is a stimulant, it can have serious side effects if you don’t have ADHD (in which case it causes depression and acts differently),” Dr. Kausel says, noting that some of the more serious potential side effects of Vyvanse include heart palpitations, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm), headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, and psychosis.

Besides posing serious physical risks, unsupervised and off-label use of Vyvanse can lead to psychiatric issues, Dr. Foxman warns. “It can cause anxiety, irritability, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, or mania,” he says. “These effects are more likely if you have a history of mental illness, substance [use disorder], or bipolar disorder.”

Vyvanse dependence and addiction

Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the FDA. This means it is considered dangerous and can be addictive and that physical and psychological addiction is possible if you take this prescription drug.

When you take Vyvanse, your body produces higher amounts of hormones like norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, according to Dr. Jamal. “Its prolonged use can lead to dependence, meaning the brain will rely on this medication to produce adequate amounts of epinephrine and dopamine,” she says. After this, she continues, the lack of Vyvanse can lead to depletion of these hormones, resulting in withdrawal symptoms, such as decreased energy, unease, and weight gain.  

“Vyvanse has a high potential for abuse and dependence because it can produce feelings of euphoria, energy, and alertness,” Dr. Foxman says. The stimulant medication is misused when it’s taken in higher doses than prescribed, taken more frequently than prescribed, or taken for off-label reasons without close supervision from a prescribing healthcare provider.

Besides the potential for compulsive use and addiction, other possible effects of long-term use include severe hypertension (severely high blood pressure), irregular heart rate, heart attack, stroke, and seizures, Dr. Jamal says.

How to lose weight safely

If you’re looking to lose weight for health reasons, there are safe and effective ways to do so. “Portion control, decreased snacking and sugar intake, and regular physical activity combined with adequate sleep and stress management are the cornerstones of a weight management plan,” Dr. Sood says.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers the following tips for losing weight safely:

  • Follow a healthy eating routine, which includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, and healthy oils, like olive oil and nut oils.
  • Significantly reduce your intake of sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.
  • Engage in healthy movement each day.
  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, which can be broken up into smaller sessions. For example, you can walk for 30 minutes, five times per week.
  • Include two or more sessions of strength training exercises per week.
  • Set health, exercise, and wellness goals for yourself and monitor your progress.
  • Get support from healthcare professionals if you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight.

Although it can be tempting to try a medication like Vyvanse for weight loss, it’s not something you should consider. “The take-home message is that Vyvanse should not be used for weight loss,” Dr. Foxman says. “It can cause serious side effects that can harm your health and well-being.” In general, “shortcuts” to weight loss are likely to be unsafe and unhealthy. In fact, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider about any potential weight loss goals and lifestyle changes before you begin your journey.

If your provider recommends a prescription, there are several FDA-approved medications specifically for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. These have been widely tested and shown to be safe for this purpose.

There are currently five medications on the FDA-approved list for long-term use for weight loss:

The above list does not include medications indicated for short-term use such as phentermine or medications prescribed off-label like Ozempic or Mounjaro.

If you are interested in taking one of these medications or have any additional questions about weight management or the safe use of Vyvanse, please reach out to a healthcare provider for medical advice.

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