What Are the Pros and Cons of Vyvanse for a Child with ADHD?

Treating ADHD generally involves a combination of ADHD medication and other methods, like behavioral therapy. Stimulant medications are effective for 70-80% of children with ADHD, and Vyvanse is one possible option. 

If you are looking for the right ADHD treatment plan for your child, or if your child was recently prescribed Vyvanse, you might wonder - what are the pros and cons of Vyvanse for a child with ADHD? What else should I know before my child takes Vyvanse to treat ADHD?

In this article, we'll go over what Vyvanse is, the pros and cons of Vyvanse for ADHD, and possible risks and side effects associated with the drug. Then, we'll discuss the effectiveness of Vyvanse and how to talk with your child's doctor about the medication as an option for your child's ADHD symptoms.

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What Is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a medication for people with ADHD aged 6+. It is also prescribed to treat binge eating disorder (BED) in those 18 or older. Vyvanse gained FDA approval to treat ADHD in populations aged 6-12 in 2007 and has been approved to treat ADHD in adults since 2008.

Vyvanse comes in different forms, including chewable tablets and capsules. The available strengths of Vyvanse vary from 10 mg to 70 mg per day. Most of the time, Vyvanse is taken once daily in the morning. Prescribers will adjust the dose of Vyvanse a person takes until it is most ideal.

Similar to many other ADHD medications, Vyvanse is a stimulant medication and a federally controlled substance. For people with ADHD, taking CNS drugs like Vyvanse is associated with better mental health outcomes, including reduced risks of substance abuse. However, because of the potential for abuse in the general population, stimulant medications are heavily regulated.

Pros Of Vyvanse

ADHD can affect all areas of a person's life, from social relationships to school and home life. Though no two people are quite alike, ADHD drugs like Vyvanse are an important part of treating ADHD for many children, teens, and adults. As with any medication, Vyvanse comes with possible upsides and downsides. Let's talk about the pros first.

Possible pros of Vyvanse include:

• Fast-acting. In children with ADHD, Vyvanse may start working within 1.5 hours of the first dose. This is true for many stimulant medicines, but it is an advantage over some medication options, like Strattera, that take time to build up in the system.
• Long-lasting. Vyvanse lasts longer than some other ADHD medications (up to 13 hours in kids). Since it is an extended-release medication, Vyvanse is taken once daily. Some other ADHD medications require multiple daily doses, which can be tough for some children.
• Easy to take. Children sometimes have trouble swallowing pills. If that's the case, Vyvanse is a good option because you can get a prescription for chewable tablets or sprinkle the contents of capsules into a food or drink of your choice (e.g., apple sauce).

Cons Of Vyvanse

Possible cons of Vyvanse include:

• Cost. Vyvanse is more expensive than other medications commonly used for ADHD, such as Adderall XR and Ritalin. No generic for Vyvanse is available at this time. However, there are coupon programs and other ways to reduce the cost of Vyvanse.
• Medication interactions. Like with most other medications, a number of potential medication interactions can occur with Vyvanse.
• Side effects and risks. Alongside medication interactions, there are various potential side effects and risks of taking Vyvanse. Again, this is not unique to Vyvanse capsules or tablets and can occur with any medication.

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Risks and Side Effects

As with any medication, Vyvanse has a list of possible risks and side effects. Risks and side effects associated with Vyvanse do not occur in everyone who takes it. For most children, Vyvanse is a safe medication. However, it is important to know about them so that you can make an informed decision and address the side effects of Vyvanse by bringing them up with your child's doctor if they occur.

Side Effects Of Vyvanse For ADHD

Side effects associated with Vyvanse are similar to those seen in children who take other stimulant drugs. Some of the most common side effects of Vyvanse include:

• Decreased appetite
• Dry mouth
• Weight loss
• Sleep problems
• Stomach pain
• Mood changes
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Vyvanse can increase blood pressure, though this effect of Vyvanse is not generally significant if the medication is taken as directed for the vast majority of people who take it. Delayed growth can occur for some children who take stimulant medicines.

Risks Of Taking Vyvanse

In addition to common side effects, Vyvanse comes with a number of possible risks. Note that prescribers will start your child out at a low dose and monitor them to avoid risks associated with the medication. To avoid serious risks, make sure that you tell your child's doctor about any other medications or supplements they are taking as well as any conditions they have in addition to ADHD. For example, epilepsy or a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder.

Serotonin syndrome

Some medications can cause serotonin syndrome when taken alongside stimulant medication like Vyvanse. If your child takes SSRIs in addition to Vyvanse, make sure to look out for signs of serotonin syndrome. Signs of serotonin syndrome include but aren't limited to rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, confusion, dilated pupils, anxiety, vomiting, and changes in body temperature.

Withdrawal symptoms

If an individual stops taking Vyvanse abruptly, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Make sure that you talk with your child's doctor about how to taper off of Vyvanse before your child starts the process of getting off their medication.

Circulation problems

Circulation problems in the fingers or toes (peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon) can occur when taking Vyvanse. Numbness, pain, and skin discoloration are all potential signs of circulation problems.

Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Some people who take Vyvanse experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate. Prescribers should monitor people with high blood pressure who take Vyvanse to ensure safety.

Heart-related problems

Some serious heart-related problems carry an increased risk of sudden death. In most cases, children in high-risk populations, such as those with known heart defects and other serious cardiac problems that lead to raised vulnerability to complications such as heart attack, should not take stimulant medicines like Vyvanse.

The risk of heart attack and other heart-related problems increases in individuals who misuse Vyvanse. Make sure that you keep Vyvanse out of your child's reach and administer it carefully so that they do not take too much.

Drug interactions

Currently, 93 major drug interactions are reported between Vyvanse and other medications on drugs.com. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications are common drugs that can interact with Vyvanse.

One should not take Vyvanse if they are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug in the past two weeks.

Allergic reactions

Serious allergic reactions to Vyvanse are very rare, but they are possible. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Vyvanse can include itching, swelling, a rash, dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Psychiatric symptoms

Vyvanse can cause manic symptoms in individuals with no prior history and can worsen psychiatric symptoms in patients with pre-existing psychosis. Physicians should evaluate individuals for bipolar illness (bipolar disorder) before they start taking Vyvanse.

Effectiveness 

When it comes to virtually any medication, efficacy is one of the most important things we tend to look for. Over the years, many studies have confirmed that Vyvanse is an effective ADHD medication. When compared to a placebo, research shows that Vyvanse is 4x more effective for kids aged 6-12. Children in the 6-12 age range also experience a 56% average reduction (from 43.9 to 19.5) in their total ADHD-RS-IV score. The ADHD-RS is also called the ADHD Rating Scale, and it is used to rate the severity of ADHD symptoms like hyperactive behavior and trouble focusing.

Asking A Doctor About Vyvanse

Like other medications used to treat ADHD, Vyvanse is often used alongside behavioral strategies such as working with a mental health clinician for therapy. Make an appointment to talk to your child's doctor if you believe that Vyvanse may be the right fit for their treatment plan. During that appointment, your child's doctor can answer any questions you have about your child taking Vyvanse, such as questions related to side effect risk and drug interactions.

A prescriber will monitor your child while they take Vyvanse to avoid serious side effects and risks associated with Vyvanse. High-risk populations may be monitored more closely. Make sure to tell your child's prescriber about any pre-existing health conditions your child has, as well as a family history of heart problems.

Many children who take Vyvanse have a positive experience, but everyone is different. If your child does not react well to Vyvanse, a prescriber can help you taper your child off or switch to another drug.