Vyvanse: Side effects and coping tips

As with other drugs, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) can cause side effects, such as headache or sleep problems. If you are unable to tolerate side effects of Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Vyvanse has a boxed warning about risk of misuse and dependence. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Vyvanse can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vyvanse in clinical studies. These side effects can vary depending on which condition you are using the drug to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Vyvanse for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include:

• loss of appetite or decreased appetite
• anxiety
• weight loss
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• insomnia

More common side effects in adults taking Vyvanse for binge eating disorder include:

• dry mouth
• insomnia
• decreased appetite
• increased heart rate
• constipation

Mild side effects can occur with Vyvanse use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyvanse’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people taking have reported include:

• loss of appetite or decreased appetite
• dry mouth
• anxiety
• abdominal pain
• increased heart rate
• constipation or diarrhea
• irritability
• dizziness
• feeling jittery
• headache*
• nausea and vomiting
• weight loss
• sleep problems*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Vyvanse and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

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Vyvanse may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyvanse’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Vyvanse, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms that people taking Vyvanse have reported include:

• Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, including increased blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Symptoms can include: chest pain nausea and vomiting severe pain or tightness in your arm, throat, neck, or jaw sudden numbness or weakness in one arm trouble speaking or slurred speech
• chest pain
• nausea and vomiting
• severe pain or tightness in your arm, throat, neck, or jaw
• sudden numbness or weakness in one arm
• trouble speaking or slurred speech
• Blood circulation problems in your fingers and toes, including Raynaud’s disease. Symptoms can include: fingers or toes that look blue, pale, purple, or red cold, numb, or painful fingers or toes unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes
• fingers or toes that look blue, pale, purple, or red
• cold, numb, or painful fingers or toes
• unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes
• Serotonin syndrome (a dangerous condition caused by high levels of the brain chemical serotonin). Symptoms can include: agitation increased heart rate hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) loss of coordination seizure or tremors
• agitation
• increased heart rate
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• loss of coordination
• seizure or tremors
• Mental health side effects, such as depression.
• Slowed growth in children.
• Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Vyvanse can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect didn’t occur in clinical trials of Vyvanse. However, there have been reports since the drug was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vyvanse, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Side effects of Vyvanse are usually the same in both females and males. There aren’t any side effects that specifically affect one sex.

However, it’s important to note that Vyvanse can have harmful effects if you take it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. For more information, see this article about Vyvanse, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Your doctor can answer any questions you have about your risk of side effects from Vyvanse.

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

If you’re prescribed Vyvanse and you have side effects, you may be wondering how long Vyvanse side effects last.

Most side effects caused by Vyvanse go away within a few days or weeks of taking the drug. In rare cases, Vyvanse can cause side effects that last longer or that cause long-term problems. These effects can include:

• cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, including increased blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke
• blood circulation problems in your fingers and toes, including Raynaud’s disease
• slowed growth in children

If you have questions about long-term side effects from Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Vyvanse may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Vyvanse compare with those seen with Adderall?

Vyvanse and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are both stimulants that may be prescribed for ADHD in adults and some children. Due to the way these drugs work, they’re typically expected to cause similar side effects. For example, both Vyvanse and Adderall can cause:

• high blood pressure
• rapid heart rate
• appetite loss
• sleep problems, such as insomnia
• nausea and vomiting

However, Adderall is available in both an extended-release (XR) and immediate-release (IR) form. Vyvanse is only available in extended-release forms. Certain side effects, including the risks of misuse and dependence, may be more common with Adderall IR.

In addition, Vyvanse and Adderall XR stay in the body for much longer than Adderall IR. So certain side effects, such as headache or dizziness, may last longer with Vyvanse than they would with Adderall IR.

For a detailed comparison of these two drugs, see this Vyvanse vs. Adderall article. You can also talk with your doctor about the best ADHD medication for you.

Do higher doses of Vyvanse cause specific side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for some side effects of Vyvanse to vary based on your dosage. For example, among children who took Vyvanse in clinical studies, weight loss was more common at higher doses. These doses included 70 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 30 mg. (The 60-mg dose wasn’t studied.) However, most side effects were reported at similar rates regardless of dosage. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about what to expect when taking Vyvanse. For more information, you can also refer to this Vyvanse dosage article.

Will Vyvanse affect my personality?

It’s possible. Vyvanse can cause mood or personality changes, including anger or irritability, depression, and worsening bipolar mania. In studies of children taking Vyvanse, anger was reported as a rare withdrawal side effect. Withdrawal refers to effects that occur after stopping a drug that your body has become dependent on. (Vyvanse has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence. For more information, see “Side effect specifics.”) It’s important to note that anger hasn’t been reported as a side effect in adults. However, irritability was a commonly reported side effect in adults. Sometimes irritability can lead to anger. For more information about your risk of anger or other mood changes during treatment with Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of Vyvanse in children compare with side effects seen in adults?

Children may be more likely to experience certain side effects from Vyvanse, including:

• weight loss
• decreased appetite
• insomnia
• upper respiratory infection
• irritability or other mood changes

Rarely, Vyvanse can also cause slowed growth in children. Your child’s doctor will closely monitor your child’s height and weight and compare it to average growth rates for your child’s age. The doctor may temporarily or permanently have your child stop taking Vyvanse if your child shows signs of slowed growth.

If you have questions about Vyvanse’s side effects in children, talk with your child’s doctor or with a pharmacist. They’ll determine whether Vyvanse is the best ADHD medication for your child.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Vyvanse may cause, including its boxed warning.

Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence

Vyvanse has a boxed warning about risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Taking Vyvanse can cause physical and psychological dependence. With physical dependence, the body becomes used to the drug and needs it in order to function as it usually does. With psychological dependence, you feel that you’re unable to stop using a drug. It’s possible to become dependent on a drug even if you take it exactly as prescribed.

Misusing Vyvanse makes it more likely that you’ll become dependent. Misuse (sometimes called abuse) means taking a drug in a way other than how your doctor prescribes. This includes taking a medication for non-medical purposes.

Misuse of Vyvanse can cause serious side effects. These include heart and blood vessel problems, such as a heart attack. In rare cases, Vyvanse misuse can cause death.

What you can do

Before prescribing Vyvanse, your doctor will discuss your risk of misuse and dependence. They’ll monitor you for symptoms of misuse and dependence while you’re taking Vyvanse. These include:

• aggressive or hostile behavior
• coordination problems
• dilated pupils (the black part of your eye being larger than usual)
• excessive sweating
• hyperactivity or restlessness
• thoughts of harming yourself or others

You could consider asking someone (such as a family member or friend) to help watch for serious side effects of Vyvanse. This would include the above signs of misuse and dependence, as well as other side effects listed in the “Serious side effects” section. Your doctor can help with this, if you want.

Due to Vyvanse’s risk of dependence, it’s important that you do not stop taking the drug unless your doctor specifically tells you to. Suddenly stopping Vyvanse could cause withdrawal symptoms. These can include fatigue and depression.

If you and your doctor agree you should stop taking Vyvanse, your doctor will help you safely stop treatment.

If you have any thoughts about harming yourself or others while taking Vyvanse or after stopping the drug, make sure to contact your doctor right away. If you feel like it’s an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Mental health side effects

Rarely, Vyvanse can cause side effects that affect mental health. These can include:

Symptoms of these side effects can include:

• delusions (believing things that aren’t true)
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• impulsive behaviors (doing things without thinking about them first, which can be dangerous)
• paranoia
• racing thoughts
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)

Rarely, depression can also be a side effect of Vyvanse treatment. This occurred in adults in clinical studies. Depression has also been reported as a side effect since Vyvanse was approved. Symptoms of depression may include:

• changes in appetite
• sleeping too much or too little
• agitation and restlessness
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt

What you can do

Before you begin treatment with Vyvanse, you and your doctor will discuss your risk factors for mental health side effects.

It’s very important that you tell your doctor about any past depression, bipolar disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions you’ve experienced. Also tell them about any history of these conditions in your family. This helps your doctor determine whether Vyvanse is safe for you to take.

If you have any symptoms of mental health side effects, contact your doctor right away. They may have you stop taking Vyvanse and may recommend a different treatment.

Headache

Headaches are a possible side effect of Vyvanse. This is a common side effect of stimulant drugs such as Vyvanse.

What you can do

If your doctor advises that this is safe for you, taking over-the-counter medications can help relieve headaches. These medications may include Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen).

For headaches that are severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may recommend other treatments.

Sleep problems

Taking Vyvanse can cause insomnia. This refers to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This was a common side effect reported by people taking Vyvanse in clinical studies.

What you can do

You’ll typically take Vyvanse in the morning to lower the risk of sleep problems. Taking your dose in the afternoon could cause trouble falling asleep. Make sure to take Vyvanse as prescribed by your doctor.

If you take Vyvanse in the morning and you’re having trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a treatment to help you sleep better, such as taking a medication to help you sleep. Or they may have you stop taking Vyvanse and switch to a different drug.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Before beginning treatment with Vyvanse, there are important precautions to consider.

Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence

This drug has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Vyvanse, discuss your health history with your doctor. Vyvanse may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• heart problems, such as high blood pressure or coronary artery disease
• personal or family history of certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or psychosis
• poor circulation in your fingers and toes
• kidney problems
• Tourette syndrome or another tic disorder
• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• history of substance misuse or addiction
• alcohol consumption

For more information about how certain factors can affect your Vyvanse treatment, refer to this article about Vyvanse’s interactions.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.