Vyvanse is a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It helps improve focus and reduces symptoms of ADHD. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain. The medication may cause serious side effects, especially if you take large doses or take it for a long time. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
The drug is taken orally. The recommended starting dose is 30 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose after you have been on the medication for a few weeks. The maximum dose is 70 mg per day. It is important to take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Take the medicine with or without food. You should chew the tablet before swallowing it. If you have a chewable tablet, chew it completely before swallowing. If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, ask your doctor for help. If you take Vyvanse with certain medications, you may have an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor if you are taking SSRIs, SNRIs, MAO inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
This medication can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you know how this medication affects you. The drug may also interact with alcohol and other drugs. Be sure your doctor knows if you drink or are using any other types of medicines.
In a clinical trial of 314 teens aged 13 to 17, patients who took Vyvanse showed improvement on the ADHD-RS-IV in 56% of cases. The average score on this test reduced from 43.9 to 19.5. When compared with placebo, the drug was shown to be highly effective in improving symptoms of ADHD.
Vyvanse can suppress growth in children, so their height and weight should be monitored regularly during treatment. It can also cause problems with the circulation of the fingers and toes, called peripheral vasculopathy or Raynaud’s phenomenon. Call your healthcare professional if your child’s fingers and toes feel numb, cool, painful, or change color from pale to blue or red.
The drug has a high potential for abuse and addiction, similar to other stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). It can be habit-forming. It should not be shared or sold to other people, and is illegal to do so. Vyvanse and its metabolites are found in the urine of people who have used the drug for a long time. In addition, the medication can be found in breast milk when a woman is breastfeeding and can cause serious harm to a newborn baby. Therefore, women who are breastfeeding should not take the drug. A woman who is pregnant should not take it either. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding. vyvanse 30 mg