Magnesium Glycinate for Vyvanse-Induced Headaches
Magnesium glycinate supplementation is suggested for alleviating headaches associated with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) use, as there is evidence supporting oral magnesium for migraine prevention. 1, 2
Mechanism and Evidence
Magnesium deficiency may contribute to headaches through multiple mechanisms, including promoting cortical spreading depression, affecting neurotransmitter release, and influencing serotonin receptor function 3
The 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline specifically suggests oral magnesium for the prevention of migraine with a "weak for" recommendation, indicating clinical benefit in certain patients 1
Serum magnesium levels have been found to be significantly lower in migraine patients compared to non-migraine headache sufferers, suggesting a potential role for supplementation 2
Studies indicate that magnesium deficiency may be present in up to half of migraine sufferers, making empiric treatment with oral magnesium a reasonable approach 3
Dosing and Administration
While specific dosing for Vyvanse-induced headaches isn't established, studies supporting magnesium for migraine prevention typically used magnesium dicitrate at doses of 600 mg daily 4
Magnesium glycinate is generally well-tolerated and may have better absorption and fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other magnesium formulations 3
Benefits from magnesium supplementation may take several weeks to become apparent, so a trial of at least 2-3 months is recommended 1
Important Considerations
Headache is a known side effect of stimulant medications like Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), and should be evaluated in the context of timing relative to medication initiation 5, 6
If headaches are severe, persistent, or associated with other neurological symptoms, further evaluation may be warranted to rule out secondary causes 5
Medication overuse can worsen headaches; limit use of acute headache medications to avoid this complication 1
For mild to moderate headaches, simple analgesics like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may provide relief while waiting for preventive effects of magnesium 5
Alternative Options
If magnesium supplementation is ineffective, other preventive options for medication-related headaches include:
Non-pharmacological approaches such as adequate hydration, regular sleep patterns, stress management, and avoiding triggers may also help reduce headache frequency 7