Vyvanse dosage, forms, and strengths

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The dosages listed are general guidelines; your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on individual health factors.

Vyvanse is a brand-name prescription drug approved for the treatment of ADHD in adults and children aged 6 years and older. Doctors also prescribe it to adults to help manage binge eating disorder. Vyvanse capsules or chewable tablets are taken once per day in the morning with or without food.

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Vyvanse dosage for ADHD

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vyvanse to reduce the symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. The active ingredient in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It is an inactive prodrug that has no effect until it is changed by the body into dextroamphetamine, the active ingredient in Adderall. Dextroamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant. In particular, it increases brain activity in the areas of the brain responsible for attention, self-control, and decision-making, allowing people with ADHD to better focus their attention and manage impulsivity. Vyvanse is long-acting and requires only one dose daily. The standard dosage is 30–70 mg taken once in the morning.

Vyvanse dosage for BED

Vyvanse is the only drug approved as a treatment for moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Short-term and long-term studies have shown that it effectively reduces the frequency and number of binge eating episodes, but healthcare professionals are uncertain how it works. The recommended dosage of Vyvanse for BED is 50–70 mg taken as a single dose in the morning.

Personalized dosing considerations

The maximum daily dose is reduced for anyone with severe kidney disease:

• For severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 15 to 30 mL/min): Maximum dose is 50 mg/day

• For end-stage renal disease (creatinine clearance less than 15 mL/min): Maximum dose is 30 mg/day

Doctors may need to prescribe a lower dose in people taking certain types of drugs. No dosage adjustments are required for people with liver problems.

Vyvanse safety info

The only people who can’t take Vyvanse safely are people who have had an allergic reaction to other amphetamines or who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Otherwise, Vyvanse is relatively safe but can cause serious problems. The most serious problem associated with Vyvanse is a high potential for misuse, abuse, and addiction. Misusing Vyvanse or taking higher doses can lead to overdose or death. 

Stimulant medications like Vyvanse can also cause heart attack and sudden death in people with heart problems such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) or structural defects, so doctors avoid these drugs in certain patients.

Other serious side effects of Vyvanse treatment include new or worsening psychosis or mania, tics, circulation problems, high blood pressure, or slowed growth in pediatric patients. The drug may need to be discontinued in these cases.

Because of the possibility of serious side effects, tell the prescriber about all your health conditions, particularly heart problems, high blood pressure, glaucoma, mental health issues, tics, or kidney problems.

The drug may need to be discontinued if certain problems arise, so immediately inform the prescriber if you experience:

• Circulation problems in the toes or fingers

• New or worsening tics

• Agitation, fever, sweating, confusion, fast heart rate, seizures

Less serious side effects include insomnia, appetite loss, dry mouth, and weight loss.

Vyvanse has been associated with premature delivery and low birth weight, so women should get medical advice about the risks of taking the medication during pregnancy. 

Amphetamines are present in breast milk in noticeable amounts. Women who are breastfeeding may be encouraged by a healthcare provider to stop breastfeeding or switch to another drug.

Most drugs can be used with Vyvanse, but many have drug interactions with Vyvanse. The most important are drugs that affect serotonin levels, like antidepressants. The combination could lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell the prescriber about all drugs and supplements being taken, particularly:

• Drugs that treat mental health or neurological disorders

• Migraine drugs

• Stimulants

• Drugs that make you sleepy such as barbiturates or opioids.

Healthcare providers discourage alcohol use in people taking ADHD medications.

Vyvanse is a federally controlled substance. Selling or giving this medicine to other people is dangerous and illegal.

Abruptly discontinuing Vyvanse can be associated with withdrawal symptoms, including, but not limited to, fatigue, mood swings, sleep disturbances, increased appetite, slowing of thought processes, and agitation. These symptoms typically occur one to two days after stopping the medication and can last for several weeks. To avoid these symptoms, Vyvanse should be slowly tapered under the supervision of a medical professional. 

How to take Vyvanse

Vyvanse is available in two dosage forms: capsules and chewable tablets. Doses are taken only once per day.

• Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.

• Do not change the dose.

• Take doses in the morning.

• Capsules and chewable tablets can be taken on an empty stomach or with food.

• Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water.

• For people who cannot swallow a capsule, it can be opened and mixed with food:

  • Mix the powder in water, orange juice, or yogurt.

  • Compacted powder can be broken up with a spoon.

  • Mix until the powder is fully mixed in.

  • Consume the mixture immediately.

• Chew the Vyvanse chewable tablet thoroughly before swallowing.

• Do not divide the capsule or tablet into separate, smaller doses.

• Store Vyvanse capsules and chewable tablets at room temperature and protected from light.

Vyvanse dosage FAQs

How long does it take Vyvanse to work?

Vyvanse starts to improve ADHD symptoms about two hours after a dose is taken.

Should you take Vyvanse with food?

Taking Vyvanse with food could delay the drug from reaching its maximum effects. Taking Vyvanse with food will not change its overall effectiveness throughout the day. 

What happens if I miss a dose of Vyvanse?

Take a missed dose as soon as it’s remembered, but not if it’s getting too late. Taking a late dose may cause trouble sleeping at bedtime. If it’s too late in the day, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose the next day, early in the morning.

What is the maximum dosage for Vyvanse?

The maximum daily dose of Vyvanse is 70 mg.

Can you overdose on Vyvanse?

Yes. A Vyvanse overdose is a medical emergency and could be fatal. Call a poison helpline and get emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected or if any symptoms of an amphetamine overdose are noticed. Depending on the size of the overdose, these signs include restlessness, hostility, panic, overactive reflexes, rapid breathing, tremor, muscle pain, muscle weakness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or coma.

Sources:

• Binge-eating disorder, StatPearls

• Lisdexamfetamine: A review in binge eating disorder, CNS Drugs

• Lisdexamfetamine compound information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

• Vyvanse drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)

• Vyvanse prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)

• Vyvanse, Shire US.