Vyvanse is a stimulant medicine that may treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can also be used to help reduce weight in people who are overweight or obese. This medication can be taken as an oral capsule or chewable tablet. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Your doctor will recommend the best form of Vyvanse for you based on your medical history and symptoms.
During your treatment, it’s important to keep track of any side effects you experience. Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor can help your health care team understand how well this medication is working for you. This information can also be used to make any necessary adjustments to your dose or treatment plan.
The most common side effect reported with Vyvanse is insomnia (trouble sleeping). Insomnia can occur in both adults and children. This can be a problem because it can interfere with sleep and lead to problems such as depressed mood, trouble concentrating, and headaches.
Other side effects can include stomach upset, dry mouth, shakiness, and increased appetite. This medication can be dangerous if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, get emergency medical help right away.
This medicine has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Stimulant drugs have a high risk of misuse and dependency. Misuse means using the medication in a way not prescribed by your doctor, and dependence is when your body needs the drug to function normally.
Taking Vyvanse with other medicines can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This is especially true if you take other medicines that affect how your body uses serotonin. These include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
If you have a heart problem, be sure your doctor knows before taking Vyvanse. It can raise blood pressure or heart rate, and may also cause chest pain and a stroke. Having a family history of heart disease or sudden death can also increase your risk for this. You should not take this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have had a brain tumor. It can also be dangerous to drive or operate machinery if you are taking this medicine.
You should not take this medication if you have a medical condition that increases your risk for seizures or an eating disorder called binge-eating. It can also cause a serious mental illness such as mania or depression.
Talk to your doctor before using this medication if you have a history of depression or bipolar disorder. This drug can worsen these conditions and increase your risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. It can also affect your blood circulation and cause numbness, pain, cold feeling, or skin color changes (pale, red, or blue appearance) in your fingers and toes. vyvanse 50 mg capsule