Lisdexamfetamine

Pronunciation: lis-DEX-am-FET-a-meen
Generic Name: Lisdexamfetamine
Brand Name: Vyvanse

Lisdexamfetamine has a high risk for abuse. It may be habit-forming if used for a long period of time. Use Lisdexamfetamine only as prescribed. Do not share it with others. Abuse of Lisdexamfetamine may cause serious heart problems, blood vessel problems, or sudden death.

Lisdexamfetamine is used for:

Treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is used as a part of a total treatment program that may include psychological, educational, and social therapy. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lisdexamfetamine is an amphetamine. Exactly how Lisdexamfetamine works is not known. It affects certain chemicals in the brain that may help improve attention span and behavior.

Do NOT use Lisdexamfetamine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lisdexamfetamine or to similar medicines


• you have had an unusual reaction to a sympathomimetic medicine (eg, methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine), such as fast or irregular heartbeat, overexcitement, or severe trouble sleeping.


• you have certain blood vessel problems (eg, hardening of the arteries); heart problems; moderate, severe, or uncontrolled high blood pressure; high blood pressure in the lungs; anorexia; an overactive thyroid; increased pressure in the eye; or glaucoma


• you have serious heart defects, serious abnormal heart rhythm, or an enlarged heart


• you have agitation, anxiety, or tension


• you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse


• you take guanethidine or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lisdexamfetamine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you or a family member have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis), uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, tics), Tourette syndrome, or suicidal thoughts or attempts


• if you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence


• if you have a history of seizures, stroke, growth problems, thyroid problems, liver or kidney problems, heart defect or other heart problems (eg, heart failure, heart rhythm problems), fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, certain blood problems (eg, porphyria), blood vessel problems, or recent heart attack, or if you have had an abnormal brain wave test (EEG)


• if you have a family history of sudden death or heart rhythm problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lisdexamfetamine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Furazolidone, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), propoxyphene, or tramadol because the risk of severe high blood pressure, high fever, dizziness, heart problems, or seizures may be increased


• Acetazolamide, sodium bicarbonate, sympathomimetics (eg, pseudoephedrine), or thiazide diuretics (eg, indapamide) because they may increase the risk of Lisdexamfetamine's side effects


• Ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), chlorpromazine, glutamic acid, haloperidol, lithium carbonate, methenamine, reserpine, or sodium acid phosphate because they may decrease Lisdexamfetamine's effectiveness


• Meperidine, norepinephrine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, desipramine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lisdexamfetamine


• Antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), beta-blockers (eg, atenolol), certain blood pressure medicines, ethosuximide, or guanethidine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Lisdexamfetamine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lisdexamfetamine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Lisdexamfetamine:

Use Lisdexamfetamine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Lisdexamfetamine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Lisdexamfetamine refilled.


• Take Lisdexamfetamine by mouth in the morning with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.


• Swallow Lisdexamfetamine whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and dissolve the contents of the capsule in an 8 oz (240 mL) glass of water. Drink the mixture right away. Do not store the mixture for future use.


• If you miss a dose of Lisdexamfetamine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lisdexamfetamine.

Important safety information:

• Lisdexamfetamine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lisdexamfetamine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Lisdexamfetamine may cause sleeplessness. Do not take Lisdexamfetamine near your bedtime unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• Avoid large amounts of food or drink that have caffeine (eg, coffee, tea, cocoa, cola, chocolate). Caffeine may increase the side effects of Lisdexamfetamine.


• Serious side effects, including heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, have occurred with the use of stimulant medicines in patients with heart defects or other serious heart problems. If you have a heart defect or other serious heart problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lisdexamfetamine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lisdexamfetamine may interfere with certain lab tests, including corticosteroid levels. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Lisdexamfetamine.


• Lisdexamfetamine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 3 years old. It should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old. Safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Lisdexamfetamine may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they take Lisdexamfetamine.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Lisdexamfetamine may cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lisdexamfetamine while you are pregnant. Lisdexamfetamine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lisdexamfetamine.

Some people who use Lisdexamfetamine for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Lisdexamfetamine suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include severe or unusual sadness, agitation, or fatigue.

Possible side effects of Lisdexamfetamine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; decreased appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; mild irritability, nervousness, or restlessness; nausea; trouble sleeping; unpleasant taste; upper stomach pain; vomiting; weight loss.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; blurred vision or other vision changes; change in sexual ability or desire; chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; new or worsening mental or mood changes; seizures; severe or persistent headache; severe or persistent irritability, nervousness, or restlessness; shortness of breath; tremor; uncontrolled speech or muscle movements (eg, tics); unusual weakness or tiredness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Lisdexamfetamine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include aggressiveness; coma; confusion; depression; fast breathing; fatigue; fever; hallucinations; increased reflexes; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain; panic; restlessness; seizures; severe dizziness; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; stomach pain; tremor.

Proper storage of Lisdexamfetamine:

Store Lisdexamfetamine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep in a tightly closed container. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lisdexamfetamine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Lisdexamfetamine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Lisdexamfetamine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lisdexamfetamine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Lisdexamfetamine resources

• Lisdexamfetamine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Lisdexamfetamine Dosage
• Lisdexamfetamine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Lisdexamfetamine Drug Interactions
• Lisdexamfetamine Support Group
• 253 Reviews for Lisdexamfetamine - Add your own review/rating

• Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Vyvanse Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Vyvanse Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Vyvanse Consumer Overview

Compare Lisdexamfetamine with other medications

• ADHD
• Asperger Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder