Once-Daily Vyvanse
Vyvanse is a once-daily medication approved for children, teens, and adults with ADHD. Vyvanse should be used as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.
The effectiveness of Vyvanse has not been evaluated in patients for more than 4 weeks. Your doctor should periodically reevaluate the long-term usefulness of Vyvanse.
Vyvanse has been shown to provide ADHD symptom control throughout the day and into the evening.
In one study:
- When taken at 7 AM, Vyvanse was shown to provide ADHD symptom control at 8:30 AM
- Vyvanse demonstrated ADHD symptom control throughout the day and into the evening — even at 8 PM
In another clinical study:
- Parents reported symptom improvement in the morning, afternoon and into the early evening
Vyvanse may not be right for everyone
Before starting Vyvanse, tell your child’s doctor about all health conditions (or a family history of any health condition), including:
- Heart problems, heart defects, or high blood pressure
- Mental problems, including psychosis, mania, bipolar illness, or depression
- Tics or Tourette's syndrome
- Liver or kidney problems
- Thyroid problems
- Seizures or have had an abnormal brain wave test (EEG)
Tell your child's doctor if your child is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
ADHD symptom control throughout the day may mean:
- Improved attention
- Less impulsivity
- Less hyperactivity
Important information and tips for getting started on Vyvanse
Your child's doctor will determine the starting dose and when to make adjustments. Once-daily Vyvanse is available in 6 dosing strengths:
Capsules not shown at actual size
Your child's doctor may make adjustments to find the medication dose that is right for your child.
Vyvanse should be taken once a day in the morning.
Vyvanse can be taken with or without food.
If your child has trouble swallowing pills, Vyvanse capsules may be opened and the entire contents dissolved in a glass of water and taken immediately. The mixture should not be stored for later use.
From time to time, your child's doctor may stop Vyvanse treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
The doctor may do regular checks of the blood, the heart, and blood pressure while your child is taking Vyvanse. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Vyvanse. Vyvanse treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
If your child takes too much Vyvanse or overdoses, call your child's doctor or a poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
Next: Vyvanse Side EffectsHypothetical Patient Portrayal
Information and Helpful Resources for ADHD
ADHD Doctor Discussion Guide
A parent's guide for proper use of ADHD medications
Indication
Vyvanse is a prescription medicine for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 17 and adults. Vyvanse should be used as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.
Important Safety Information
Vyvanse is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep in safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Vyvanse may harm others, and is illegal. Vyvanse is a stimulant. Misuse of stimulants may cause sudden death and serious heart problems.
- Vyvanse should not be taken by patients who have:
Heart disease or hardening of the arteries, moderate to severe high blood pressure, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), glaucoma, agitated states, a history of drug abuse, taken an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days, or sensitivity to, are allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines.
- Vyvanse is a stimulant medicine. The following have been reported with use of stimulant medicines.
Heart-related problems: sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects stroke and heart attack in adults increased blood pressure and heart rate Tell your doctor if you or your child have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Vyvanse.
Mental (Psychiatric) problems: All Patients new or worse behavior and thought problems new or worse bipolar illness new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility Children and Teenagers new psychotic symptoms (such as hearing voices, believing things that are not true, are suspicious) or new manic symptoms Tell your doctor about any mental problems you or your child have, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking Vyvanse, especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious.
- Serious side effects have been reported with use of stimulant medicines such as Vyvanse, including:
- seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures
- eyesight changes or blurred vision
- motion and verbal tics. Patients with tics or Tourette's syndrome may experience a worsening of symptoms while taking Vyvanse.
- slowing of growth. Your child should have his or her height and weight checked often while taking Vyvanse. The doctor may stop treatment if a problem is found during these check-ups.
- The most common side effects reported in studies of Vyvanse were:
- upper belly pain
- nausea
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- weight loss
- trouble sleeping
- irritability
- decreased appetite
- vomiting
This is not a complete summary of safety information. For additional safety information, please click here for Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Warning about Potential for Abuse, and discuss with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
