adhd - Drugs for ADHD

Vyvanse is longer lasting than methylphenidate (used in ritalin and concerta). Peak effectiveness occurs in one to four hours. However, it continues to control symptoms for 12 hours. It is marketed by Shire Pharmaceuticals and FDA approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ges 6–12, and adults. Vyvanse acts more consistently than adderall XR and thus patients tend do better on it. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is chemically very similar to dexedrine Spansules. 

The acidity level in the digestive track as well as the amount gastrointestinal motility can change the absorption of stimulants like adderall XR but not Vyvanse. Food, especially fatty food can delay Adderall XR up to 2 1/2 hours but maximum delay of Vyvanse is under an hour. Thus, if you forget to take Adderall before a fatty meal, it may delay its effects several hours.

Forms of Vyvanse:

Vyvanse is available in three strengths: 30mg, 50mg, and 70mg.

Most children will start Vyvanse at the 30mg. If your child is switching to Vyvanse from another ADHD stimulant, a higher starting dose may be necessary.

Vyvanse side effects:

Long-term use of Vyvanse can slow a child's growth.

Though the side effect of Vyvanse are similar to other ADHD stimulants, they are much more frequent that other stimulants such as Adderall. The most frequent are abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, decreased appetite, headaches, insomnia, and irritability.

Serious side effects that require prompt medical attention:

Hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats; decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting); dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure), tremor, restlessness, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches).

Less serious side effects:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, skin rash, feeling irritable, sleep problems (insomnia), dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Pregnancy:

Vyvanse can cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes Vyvanse during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Vyvanse can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 Drug interactions:

ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), K-Phos, blood pressure medications, a diuretic (water pill), cold or allergy medicines (antihistamines), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), ethosuximide (Zarontin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); pain medication such as meperidine (Demerol) or propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), or nortriptyline (Pamelor).