Is it safe to take turmeric (curcumin) with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)?

Is It Safe to Take Turmeric with Vyvanse?

Yes, turmeric (curcumin) can generally be taken with Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), but you should stop turmeric supplementation 2 weeks before any surgical procedures and be aware of potential theoretical interactions that require monitoring.

Key Safety Considerations

Perioperative Management

• The Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) recommends holding turmeric for 2 weeks before surgery due to its antiplatelet effects through thromboxane metabolism inhibition and calcium channel blockade 1
• Turmeric also inhibits generation of thrombin and factor Xa, which can increase bleeding risk in surgical contexts 1

Drug Interaction Mechanisms

• Curcumin can inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes and P-glycoprotein, which theoretically could alter the pharmacokinetics of concomitantly used drugs 2
• However, there is only one clinical trial proving significant alteration of conventional drugs with curcumin, indicating limited human evidence for clinically meaningful interactions 2
• Vyvanse is a prodrug requiring enzymatic conversion to d-amphetamine in the blood, and this mechanism could theoretically be affected by concurrent botanical use 1

Cardiovascular Considerations

• Turmeric can affect blood pressure through various mechanisms, including effects on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation 1
• Vyvanse independently increases heart rate and blood pressure as a stimulant medication 3
• The combination creates potential for unpredictable cardiovascular effects, though no specific evidence documents dangerous interactions between these two agents 3

Evidence for Safety

Clinical Studies

• A randomized crossover study in 10 healthy volunteers found that turmeric extract (480 mg curcuminoid) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine, with comparable C(max) and AUC values and no serious adverse events 4
• This suggests curcumin may have minimal impact on drug metabolism in real-world dosing scenarios 4

General Safety Profile

• Curcumin has low toxicity but poor bioavailability, which limits both its therapeutic effects and potential for drug interactions 1
• The American Academy of Dermatology/National Psoriasis Foundation notes curcumin may benefit patients as adjunctive therapy with acceptable safety 1

Practical Recommendations

Monitoring Protocol

• Monitor for changes in ADHD symptom control over the following weeks, as theoretical interactions could affect Vyvanse efficacy 5
• Watch for cardiovascular parameters including heart rate and blood pressure, particularly if taking higher doses of either substance 5
• Be alert for any unusual sedation or changes in medication effectiveness 5

Patient Counseling

• Do not assume "natural" supplements are inherently safe to combine with prescription medications 5
• Turmeric products vary significantly in composition and potency, making risk assessment difficult 5
• Inform your healthcare provider about all supplement use, as most patients do not voluntarily disclose this information 6

Special Populations

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Limited published information exists on lisdexamfetamine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding 1
• Caution should be exercised with curcumin supplementation in pregnant women, though specific contraindications are not well-established 1

Surgical Patients

• Mandatory discontinuation 2 weeks before any surgical procedure due to antiplatelet effects and bleeding risk 1
• This is a firm recommendation from perioperative guidelines and should not be negotiated 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not combine turmeric with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents without close medical supervision, as this significantly increases bleeding risk 1
• Avoid assuming all "natural" combinations are safe - even low-risk supplements require disclosure to healthcare providers 5, 6
• Do not continue turmeric supplementation into the perioperative period - the 2-week washout is essential for surgical safety 1