Vyvanse Immediate Release Availability
No, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is not available in an immediate-release formulation and cannot be made into one due to its unique prodrug design.
Why Immediate Release Is Not Possible
Lisdexamfetamine is specifically engineered as a prodrug that requires enzymatic conversion in the blood to become active. The molecule remains therapeutically inactive until red blood cells hydrolyze it to release d-amphetamine and L-lysine through a rate-limited process 1, 2.
The conversion mechanism is inherently delayed compared to immediate-release amphetamine formulations, making it impossible to create a true immediate-release version of lisdexamfetamine itself 1.
Alternative routes of administration (such as crushing or dissolving) do not bypass the required enzymatic conversion, as the prodrug must still undergo hydrolysis in the bloodstream to become pharmacologically active 1.
Available Amphetamine Formulations
If you need an immediate-release amphetamine option, consider these alternatives:
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) immediate release is available and typically dosed starting at 5 mg twice daily 3.
Adderall immediate release (mixed amphetamine salts) provides immediate-release amphetamine effects with standard dosing flexibility 3.
Liquid dextroamphetamine formulations offer precise dose titration and are particularly useful for patients requiring dosing flexibility, though they carry higher risk of rebound effects compared to long-acting formulations 3.
Clinical Implications of Vyvanse's Design
The prodrug design of lisdexamfetamine results in lower abuse potential compared to immediate-release formulations, with pharmacokinetic properties that make extraction of the stimulant component more difficult 4, 5.
Lisdexamfetamine demonstrates significantly less abuse/misuse in poison center data, with odds of abuse 2.3 times lower than immediate-release dextroamphetamine/amphetamine 5.
Vyvanse is dosed once daily in the morning, starting at 20-30 mg with weekly titration by 10 mg increments up to a maximum of 70 mg daily 4.