{"id":630529,"date":"2024-12-03T09:30:55","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T14:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630529"},"modified":"2025-10-30T16:11:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T20:11:36","slug":"vyvanse-headache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vyvanse-headache\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Vyvanse cause headaches?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vyvanse<\/span><\/a> is a popular prescription medication that is used to treat <\/span>attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)<\/span><\/a>. The drug is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorders. <\/span>Headaches<\/span><\/a> can be a side effect when taking this mental health medication. In clinical trials, 1% of participants who took Vyvanse experienced headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are headaches a common side effect of Vyvanse?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Headaches are a reported side effect of Vyvanse. However, they\u2019re fairly rare. Only 1% of adult clinical trial participants reported headaches that made them stop taking the medication. Other more common possible side effects include loss of appetite, insomnia (trouble sleeping), anxiety, upset stomach, irritability, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, weight loss, and diarrhea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeadache is a potential side effect, but is not as commonly reported as other side effects,\u201d says <\/span>Jenna Giacomin, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, an ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialist with <\/span>Franciscan Health Physician Network<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brand name Vyvanse, or the generic drug <\/span>lisdexamfetamine<\/span><\/a>, is a central nervous system stimulant that works by increasing the availability of key neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine, says <\/span>Mike McGrath<\/span><\/a>, MD, board-certified psychiatrist and chief clinical officer at the <\/span>Oasis and Ohana Hawaii<\/span><\/a> facilities. \u201cThis helps reduce impulsive behavior and increase focus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After taking Vyvanse, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is converted into dexamphetamine. In other words, the body must metabolize the drug before it becomes active, which can help reduce the potential for serious side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t$63.46\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$123.71\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Why does Vyvanse sometimes cause headaches?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The exact reasons why patients may experience headaches after taking Vyvanse aren\u2019t fully understood, but there are a few possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skipping a dose could trigger headaches, says Dr. McGrath. Because Vyvanse narrows the blood vessels in the brain, this can decrease blood flow and lead to headaches as well, Dr. Giacomin says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn other cases, Vyvanse can cause a lack of appetite as a side effect, and this leads to increased frequency of headaches triggered by not eating and not staying hydrated,\u201d explains Dr. Giacomin. \u201cHowever, the disease state of ADHD overall is associated with higher incidences of headaches, so a patient\u2019s headaches may not be linked to the medication.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A study published in the <\/span>European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience<\/span><\/i><\/a> discovered that individuals with ADHD are more likely to have migraines. Migraines are severe headaches that can cause additional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vision changes, and irritability. Researchers in the study found that more than 28% of the 572 participants with ADHD experienced migraines, while only 19% of the 675 participants without ADHD had migraines.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to avoid Vyvanse headaches<\/span><\/h2>\n

No one wants to deal with side effects when taking ADHD medications. Everyone hopes for a treatment that brings relief without any unwanted symptoms. But like most prescription drugs, Vyvanse has the potential to cause side effects, including headaches\u2014especially when you first start the medication. How long side effects can last can be patient-specific. \u201cIn some patients, they may tolerate the medication over time, and side effects may decrease,\u201d Dr. Giacomin says.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re experiencing headaches after taking Vyvanse, try the following strategies:<\/span><\/p>\n