Vyvanse is a brand of stimulant drug known generically as lisdexamfetamine. It’s been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2007 for treating children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It was approved for use in adults with ADHD in 2008 and adolescents in 2011. Since 2015, Vyvanse has also been approved for treating adults with binge-eating disorder. But does FDA approval make Vyvanse safe in the long term? Are there long-term risks associated with Vyvanse use?
Call 1.844.768.0169 to speak about Vyvanse and our options for prescription drug addiction treatment with one of the knowledgeable staff members at The Right Step Houston in Texas. We’ll answer your questions about the long-term effects of Vyvanse and its addictiveness. Armed with the facts, you gain the power to assess your use of Vyvanse or that of a family member.
How Vyvanse Works
Doctors primarily prescribe Vyvanse to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—and children, teens, and adults take it. Vyvanse operates in the system in a different way than commonly known ADHD medications like Adderall.
Adderall acts quickly—within 30 minutes—while Vyvanse remains inactive until the body metabolizes it, which can take up to two hours. Many people prefer it because it’s more easily tolerated day to day.
Side-Effects of Vyvanse in the Short Term
Some of the immediate effects and risks of Vyvanse, both when used as prescribed and when misused, include:
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Panic attacks
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
Children or adults with ADHD can safely use Vyvanse. Physicians can mitigate the symptoms by changing the dosage or recommending another drug. For people who use Vyvanse as a stimulant to get high or perform work or school tasks, addiction is a severe risk, as are long-term health outcomes.
Long-Term Effects of Vyvanse
In the short term, people can tolerate Vyvanse’s side effects, which must be weighed against the benefits when treating ADHD. However, because it’s a stimulant, Vyvanse is at risk of being misused.
Is Vyvanse safe long term? Not really. Over time, the following side effects can become increasingly severe:
- Mental health conditions – Anxiety, agitation, mood swings, mania, and psychosis are all possible side effects of Vyvanse.
- Circulatory problems – Blood circulation conditions such as Raynaud’s syndrome affect blood flow to the extremities.
- Severe weight loss – Issues such as malnutrition, anorexia, and stunted weight or height in children are risks of long-term Vyvanse use.
- Cardiovascular complications – Vyvanse use can lead to hypertension, cardiac arrest, stroke, and other heart-related issues.
- Tolerance and addiction – The stimulant effects of Vyvanse are powerful, especially among those who don’t have ADHD. There’s a high risk of misuse.
For those who become tolerant and then dependent on Vyvanse, addiction is close behind. When stopping the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms, it’s time to seek professional treatment for a prescription drug disorder. The long-term risks of Vyvanse mean that a safe strategy for stopping its use should include a professional rehab program.
Call The Right Step Houston Today to Get Started on Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment
Is Vyvanse safe long term? Are you okay with only using Vyvanse as directed? Are you safe using Vyvanse, not as directed? You can ask these questions when you reach out to The Right Step Houston and speak to one of our staff. Learn about Vyvanse and how it may be affecting you or someone you love.
Our prescription drug addiction treatment is evidence-based and provided by qualified, experienced, compassionate practitioners. Learn more about Vyvanse addiction today—call 1.844.768.0169 or use our online form.