Lisdexamfetamine is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED). Lisdexamfetamine comes as an oral capsule and a chewable tablet.

  1. Lisdexamfetamine oral capsule is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Vyvanse.
  2. Lisdexamfetamine comes in two forms: an oral capsule and an oral chewable tablet.
  3. Lisdexamfetamine oral capsule is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED).

Lisdexamfetamine is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral capsule and an oral chewable tablet.

Lisdexamfetamine oral capsule is available as the brand-name drug Vyvanse. It’s also available as a generic drug.

Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled substance. It can be misused, and its use can lead to addiction. (Misuse means to use a drug in a way that your doctor hasn’t prescribed, such as taking a higher dose. Addiction refers to taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.} Selling or giving it away may harm others and is against the law.

Note: This article focuses on lisdexamfetamine oral capsule, though much of the information also applies to lisdexamfetamine chewable tablet. To learn how the oral capsule and chewable tablet compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Why it’s used

Lisdexamfetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Lisdexamfetamine is also used to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults.

This medication is not for weight loss. It isn’t known whether it’s safe and effective for the treatment of obesity.

How it works

Lisdexamfetamine belongs to a class of drugs called amphetamines. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Lisdexamfetamine works by increasing levels of certain brain chemicals. This helps improve concentration and focus and reduce hyperactivity (being unusually active) and impulsiveness (acting quickly without thought to consequences).

Lisdexamfetamine can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking lisdexamfetamine. This list does not include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of lisdexamfetamine or tips on how to manage a bothersome side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with lisdexamfetamine when used to treat ADHD include:

The more common side effects that can occur with lisdexamfetamine when used to treat BED include:

  • dry mouth
  • difficulty sleeping
  • decreased appetite
  • increased heart rate
  • constipation
  • tremor
  • anxiety

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks.

If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects.

Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
    • skin rash
    • itching or hives
    • swelling of your face, lips, or tongue
  • Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
  • Vision problems. Symptoms can include:
  • Neurological problems (issues related to the nervous system). Symptoms can include:
    • confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
    • seizures
    • severe headaches
    • difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
    • uncontrollable head, mouth, neck, arm, or leg movements
  • Fingers or toes that feel numb, cool, or painful.
  • Prolonged or painful erection.
  • Mental health conditions. Symptoms can include:
    • suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
    • hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that’s not really there) or loss of contact with reality

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 Suicide and Crisis 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.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering lisdexamfetamine. What you’ll pay for lisdexamfetamine may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for lisdexamfetamine when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options at the end of this section. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
  • Financial assistance: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In addition, you can visit Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds, two websites offering resources that may help decrease the price you pay for diazepam.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.

Lisdexamfetamine can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

The following text gives examples of medications that can interact with lisdexamfetamine. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with lisdexamfetamine.

Before taking lisdexamfetamine, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Using TCAs with lisdexamfetamine can cause high levels of amphetamine in your brain. This could cause heart problems. Using TCAs with lisdexamfetamine can also increase the effects of lisdexamfetamine.

If you take lisdexamfetamine with a TCA, your doctor may adjust your dosage of lisdexamfetamine. Or they may switch you to a different medication.

Examples of TCAs include:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Using MAOIs with lisdexamfetamine can cause extremely high blood pressure, which may lead to serious problems. You shouldn’t take this drug with MAOIs or within 14 days after stopping MAOI treatment. Examples of MAOIs include:

  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • selegiline (Zelapar)

Medications that acidify your urine

Taking medications that acidify your urine with lisdexamfetamine can decrease the amount of time that lisdexamfetamine stays in your body. This makes it less effective. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of lisdexamfetamine if you’re taking this type of medication.

An example of these drugs is ascorbic acid (Ascor).

Medications that alkalinize your urine

Taking medications that alkalinize your urine with lisdexamfetamine can increase the amount of time that lisdexamfetamine stays in your body. This increases the effects of lisdexamfetamine. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of lisdexamfetamine if you’re taking this type of medication.

Examples of these drugs include:

Serotonergic drugs

Taking serotonergic drugs with lisdexamfetamine may increase your risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. If you take any of these drugs, your doctor will start you on a lowered dosage of lisdexamfetamine and monitor you for signs of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, muscle twitches, and confusion.

Examples of serotonergic drugs include:

Certain supplements may also have serotonergic effects that interact with lisdexamfetamine. Examples include:

The lisdexamfetamine dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using lisdexamfetamine to treat
  • your age
  • the form of lisdexamfetamine you take
  • other medical conditions you may have

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Generic: lisdexamfetamine

  • Form: oral capsule
  • Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 70 mg

Dosage for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 30 mg taken once per day.
  • Typical dosage: 30 to 70 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 70 mg per day.
  • Dosage adjustments: Your doctor may adjust your dosage by 10 to 20 mg each week until you’re at a dosage that relieves your symptoms.

Child dosage (ages 6 to 17 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 30 mg taken once per day.
  • Typical dosage: 30 to 70 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 70 mg per day.
  • Dosage adjustments: Your doctor may adjust your child’s dosage by 10 to 20 mg each week until they’re at a dosage that relieves their symptoms.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 years)

This drug should not be used in children younger than age 6 years.

Older adult dosage (65 years and older)

If you’re an older adult, your body may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage to prevent too much of this drug from building up in your body. Too much of the drug can be dangerous.

Dosage for moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED)

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 30 mg taken once per day.
  • Typical dosage: 50 to 70 mg taken once per day.
  • Maximum dosage: 70 mg per day.
  • Dosage adjustments: Your doctor may adjust your dosage by 20 mg each week to a target dose of 50 to 70 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years)

This drug should not be used in people younger than age 18 years.

Older adult dosage (65 years and older)

If you’re an older adult, your body may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage to prevent too much of this drug from building up in your body. Too much of the drug can be dangerous.

Special dosage considerations

If you have kidney disease: Your doctor may adjust your dosage according to your kidney function:

  • Severe kidney disease: The maximum dosage of lisdexamfetamine is 50 mg per day.
  • End stage kidney disease requiring dialysis: The maximum dosage of lisdexamfetamine is 30 mg per day.

This drug comes with several warnings.

FDA warning: Misuse and addiction

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Lisdexamfetamine has a high potential for misuse and addiction. Misuse means to use a drug in a way that your doctor hasn’t prescribed, such as taking a higher dose. Addiction refers to taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.

Your doctor will talk with you about this risk before prescribing this medication for you. They will monitor you for signs of misuse and addiction while you’re taking this drug.

Allergy warning

Lisdexamfetamine can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching or hives
  • swelling of your face, lips, or tongue

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Do not take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal.

This drug contains amphetamines. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to stimulant medications, tell your doctor before taking this drug.

Circulation problems warning

This drug may cause circulation problems in your fingers and toes. Tell your doctor right away if you have numbness, pain, skin color change, sensitivity to temperature, or any unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with heart problems: This drug may cause stroke, heart attack, or sudden death in adults with or without heart issues. It may cause sudden death in children and teens with preexisting heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems or a family history of these issues.

For people with blood pressure and heart rate problems: This drug can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. Tell your doctor if you have any blood pressure or heart rate problems. Your doctor will monitor you for these conditions.

For people with mental health conditions: If you have a mental health condition, this drug may make your symptoms worse. It can also cause psychotic or manic symptoms in children and teenagers without a history of these problems. They may have symptoms such as seeing, hearing, or believing things that aren’t real, or feeling suspicious.

Tell your doctor if you have a mental health condition or a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, or depression. Call your doctor right away if you have any new or worsened mental health symptoms.

For people with Tourette syndrome, or motor or verbal tics: This drug can worsen symptoms of Tourette syndrome. It can also cause or worsen motor or verbal tics. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions before starting lisdexamfetamine. They’ll monitor you closely for worsening symptoms.

For people with a history of drug misuse and addiction: This drug can be misused and lead to addiction. (For more information, see “FDA warning: Misuse and addiction” earlier.) Tell your doctor if you’ve ever misused or developed an addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant people: This drug may be harmful to a fetus. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Taking this drug during pregnancy may increase your risk of having an infant born prematurely or who has a low birth weight.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant during lisdexamfetamine treatment, let your doctor know right away.

For people who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass through breast milk and cause serious effects in a child who is breastfed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with this drug. Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so before starting lisdexamfetamine.

For older adults: Older adults may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage to prevent too much of this drug from building up in your body. This effect could be dangerous.

For children: For treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it hasn’t been established that this drug is safe and effective for use in children younger than age 6 years.

For treating binge eating disorder (BED), it hasn’t been established that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than age 18 years.

Your child’s growth will be monitored during treatment with this drug. Children who don’t grow or gain weight as expected may need to stop treatment.

Lisdexamfetamine oral capsule is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: If you stop taking lisdexamfetamine suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can occur if you’ve developed dependence on the drug. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel like it usually does.) This is more likely if you’ve been taking a high dosage for a long time.

To prevent withdrawal symptoms, your doctor will slowly lower your dosage when you’re ready to stop treatment.

If you don’t take this drug at all: Your symptoms won’t be managed.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For lisdexamfetamine to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of lisdexamfetamine in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor right away. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. However, if it’s just a few hours until your next scheduled dose, wait and take the single dose.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: For ADHD, you should have increased ability to pay attention and decreased hyperactivity (being unusually active) and impulsiveness (acting quickly without thought to consequences).

For BED, you should have fewer binge eating days.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes lisdexamfetamine for you.

General

  • You can take this drug with or without food.
  • Take this drug once per day in the morning.
  • You should not cut or crush the oral capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
  • If you have difficulty swallowing pills, try taking lisdexamfetamine this way:
    • Open the capsule.
    • Mix the contents into yogurt, water, or orange juice. Be sure to empty all of the powder from the capsule to get the full dose.
    • Eat or drink all of the mixture right away. Do not save the mixture for later.

Storage

  • Store this drug in temperatures ranging from 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
  • Keep the medication away from light.
  • You should not store this drug in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
  • Store the drug in a safe place, such as in a locked cabinet.
  • You should not throw away unused capsules in your household trash. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a drug take-back program in your community.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is not refillable. You or your pharmacy will have to contact your doctor for a new prescription if you need this medication refilled.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • You do not need to worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • You should not put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

To watch for possible side effects, your doctor may check the following health issues regularly:

  • blood pressure
  • heart rate
  • weight
  • mental health status
  • height (in children)

To look for signs of misuse, your doctor may check the following health issues regularly:

  • heart rate
  • breathing rate
  • blood pressure
  • weight
  • physical appearance
  • mental health status

Your doctor may also check your kidney function to make sure this drug is safe for you.

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Prior authorization

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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 other 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.

Lisdexamfetamine, oral capsule images