Brand
Vyvanse is the brand name under which the generic drug Lisdexamfetamine is sold by Shire US Inc. It is sold in capsules of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 mg. It is a prescription drug for ADHD.
Indication
The drug is prescribed to reduce hyperactivity and impulsiveness in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It stimulates the central nervous system and because it affects the chemicals in the brain and makes people calmer, it is also prescribed for other conditions similar to this.
Action
The drug is actually a prodrug of the drug dextroamphetamine and it is only after it is ingested that it is converted to dextroamphetamine in the intestines or the liver. It is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and converted. It is the amphetamine action that occurs after this conversion that stimulates the activity in the brain and according to researchers, probably acts on the norepinephrine and dopamine levels. While the precise nature of the action is still unknown, the effects are obvious.
Side Effects
There could be allergic reactions for some people like swelling of the throat and tongue, rash and itching on the skin, headaches and tremors. dizzy spells, restlessness, dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, insomnia, nausea, reduced appetite and weight loss, diarrhea or constipation, blood pressure going up, change in libido, palpitations and in extreme cases, even heart attacks, strokes and seizures. There could be height and weight retardation in children so they should be closely monitored by the doctor when they are on this medication.
Caution
The drug has to be taken with caution when there are other medications and supplements also being taken. The doctor should be told about all the medicines even the vitamins and herbal supplements that you are taking so he can make an informed prescription. Sometimes, this drug might worsen the symptoms in which case the doctor must be called immediately and he will probably ask you to discontinue the drug. When the drug is stopped, there could be painful withdrawal symptoms in some people and it could bring about depression and extreme tiredness. The doctor will probably ease it out by reducing the dose slowly before stopping it.
Contraindications
Women expecting a baby or feeding a baby should not take this medicine as it could pass on to the fetus or the nursing child causing complications like low birth weight and withdrawal symptoms. It is also contraindicated in people with severe hypertension, people who are known to have indulged in substance abuse and people with heart problems. This drug should not be used if you are on an MAO inhibitor and the effects have to be totally cleared out before the drug can be started.