Common Side Effects of Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) and Their Frequency
The most common side effects of Vyvanse include dry mouth (36%), insomnia (20%), decreased appetite (8%), increased heart rate (7%), feeling jittery (6%), constipation (6%), and anxiety (5%), with these occurring at least twice as frequently as in placebo-treated patients. 1
Common Side Effects by Body System
Neurological/Psychiatric
- Insomnia: Affects approximately 20% of patients 1
- Anxiety: Occurs in about 5% of patients 1
- Feeling jittery: Reported by 6% of patients 1
- Headache: Common but less frequent 2
- Irritability: May occur, especially during dose adjustments 2
- Nightmares: Reported in 2% of patients 1
- Restlessness: Occurs in 2% of patients 1
Gastrointestinal
- Dry mouth: Most common side effect, affecting 36% of patients 1
- Decreased appetite: Affects 8% of patients 1
- Constipation: Occurs in 6% of patients 1
- Stomach pain: Less common but reported 2
- Diarrhea: Reported in 4% of patients 1
- Vomiting: Occurs in 2% of patients 1
Cardiovascular
- Increased heart rate/tachycardia: Affects 7% of patients 1
- Small increases in blood pressure: Frequency varies 3
Other Physical Effects
- Weight loss: Reported in 4% of patients 1
- Growth suppression: Consistently medicated children may experience slowing in growth rate (approximately -13.4 percentile over 1 year) 1
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): Occurs in 4% of patients 1
Less Common Side Effects
- Pruritus (itching): 2% 1
- Paresthesia (tingling sensation): 2% 1
- Urinary tract infection: 2% 1
- Increased energy: 2% 1
Rare but Serious Side Effects
- Cardiovascular events: Very rare (less than 1/10,000) 2
- Psychosis or hallucinosis: Very rare 2
- Seizures: Reported in post-marketing surveillance 1
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Reported in post-marketing surveillance 1
- Rhabdomyolysis: Reported in post-marketing surveillance 1
Factors Affecting Side Effect Frequency and Severity
- Dose-dependent: Higher doses typically result in more pronounced side effects, particularly weight loss and appetite suppression 1
- Duration of treatment: Some side effects like sleep disturbances and appetite suppression may diminish over time 2
- Individual factors: Pre-existing conditions may increase risk of certain side effects 4
Managing Common Side Effects
- For appetite loss: Take medication with meals and provide high-calorie snacks when medication effects wear off 2
- For sleep issues: Adjust timing of medication administration 3
- For cardiovascular effects: Regular monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate is recommended 3
- For growth concerns: Regular monitoring of height and weight, especially in children 1
Monitoring Recommendations
- Regular assessment of blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and growth parameters 3
- More frequent monitoring (every 3-4 weeks) during initial treatment phase 3
- Once stabilized, monitoring every 3-6 months is recommended 3
Vyvanse's side effect profile is similar to other stimulant medications, with most adverse reactions being mild to moderate in intensity and often transient or responsive to dose adjustments 5.