What is Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)?

From the Guidelines

Vyvanse is a prescription medication primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults, as well as moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults, with its active ingredient being lisdexamfetamine, a prodrug that converts to dextroamphetamine in the body.

Key Characteristics of Vyvanse

• The medication is a central nervous system stimulant, working by increasing levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and decrease hyperactivity 1.
• Vyvanse typically comes in capsules ranging from 10mg to 70mg, with treatment usually starting at lower doses and gradually increasing as needed.
• The medication is taken once daily in the morning and lasts about 10-14 hours, providing symptom control throughout the day.

Side Effects and Considerations

• Common side effects include decreased appetite, insomnia, dry mouth, and increased heart rate 1.
• Vyvanse is a controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence, so it requires regular monitoring by a healthcare provider.
• As stated in the study, stimulants like Vyvanse have large effect sizes for reducing ADHD core symptoms, but also have potential disadvantages such as limited daily duration of effects and partial potential for rebound of symptoms when the effect wears off in the afternoon/evening 1.

Clinical Use

• According to the evidence, stimulants are generally recommended as first-line therapy for ADHD, with non-stimulants being considered as second-line therapy 1.
• The choice of medication should be individualized, considering factors such as severity of symptoms, presence of comorbidities, and patient preferences 1.
• Medication adherence is a common problem in ADHD treatment, and factors such as attitudes toward pharmacological treatment, physician-patient relationship, and knowledge about the disorder and medication can influence adherence 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules are a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant prescription medicine used for the treatment of: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults.

Vyvanse is a brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules, which are a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant prescription medicine used for the treatment of:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and children 6 years of age and older
• Moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults 2, 2, 2

From the Research

What is Vyvanse

• Vyvanse, also known as lisdexamfetamine, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED) 3, 4, 5.
• It is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to its active form, d-amphetamine, in the blood following oral administration 3, 5.
• The mechanisms of action by which d-amphetamine exerts a therapeutic effect on ADHD and BED may be based on its ability to competitively inhibit the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the noradrenaline transporter (NAT), increasing dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in the synaptic cleft 3, 5.
• Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of lisdexamfetamine in the treatment of pediatric ADHD patients and adults with BED, with significant reductions in symptoms and improvement in quality of life 3, 4, 6.
• Common adverse events associated with lisdexamfetamine include dry mouth, decreased appetite, insomnia, and headache, with most events being mild and transient 4, 6.

Uses of Vyvanse

• Vyvanse is approved for the treatment of ADHD and BED, and is also being investigated as a potential treatment for other eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa 4, 5, 7.
• The recommended dose range for Vyvanse varies depending on the condition being treated, with typical doses ranging from 30-70 mg/day for ADHD and 50-70 mg/day for BED 3, 4.

Pharmacological Properties

• Vyvanse has a unique pharmacological profile, with a rapid onset of action and a long duration of effect, making it suitable for once-daily dosing 3, 5.
• The prodrug is rapidly hydrolyzed to its active form, d-amphetamine, which then exerts its therapeutic effects through inhibition of DAT and NAT, and promotion of dopamine and noradrenaline release 3, 5.