Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) Addiction & Abuse

As a Schedule II controlled substance, Vyvanse can be addictive, especially if you misuse the drug. Understanding Vyvanse is the first step to getting help.

Vyvanse is the brand name for the prescription stimulant lisdexamfetamine, which is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that Vyvanse has a high potential for abuse, addiction and dependence. This is especially true when Vyvanse is abused for non-medical reasons.

Is Vyvanse Addictive?

As a Schedule II controlled substance, Vyvanse can be highly addictive. The drug increases the amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in your brain. Dopamine is the brain’s feel-good chemical and helps to reinforce behaviors. Some people, primarily those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, benefit from Vyvanse because their brains do not make enough dopamine.

However, Vyvanse can be dangerous if you take more than prescribed or if you take it for non-medical reasons. Stimulants like Vyvanse are frequently abused by college students seeking to enhance their concentration and use it recreationally.

As a long-acting stimulant, Vyvanse is less prone to abuse than shorter-acting stimulants. Addiction is most likely to occur if you misuse Vyvanse or take it when it hasn’t been prescribed to you.

What Does Vyvanse Look Like?

Currently, Vyvanse is available as a brand-name drug only. It only has one manufacturer, so it’s easier to identify than a generic drug, which may have many manufacturers. Vyvanse comes in a capsule and chewable tablet dosage form, which can be identified as follows:

How is Vyvanse Prescribed?

Because Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, doctors and pharmacies are heavily regulated in how they can prescribe and dispense the drug. According to federal law, doctors are not allowed to prescribe refills on Schedule II drugs like Vyvanse and must write a new prescription every time they are needed. Individual states may have more restrictive laws. For example, some states limit the supply of Vyvanse that a doctor can prescribe.

What is Vyvanse Used For?

Vyvanse is FDA-approved to treat ADHD and binge eating disorder. In ADHD, Vyvanse has been shown to improve both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive symptoms in adults and children as young as six years old. For someone dealing with binge eating disorder, Vyvanse can reduce the number of binge days per week that they experience.

When people misuse Vyvanse, it is often abused to stay awake, study or focus on work. In addition to a risk of addiction, abusing Vyvanse has long-term effects, including mental health issues, heart problems, malnourishment and organ damage.

Know the Signs of Vyvanse Addiction

Signs of Vyvanse abuse can emerge when a person begins to struggle with Vyvanse. Some symptoms include:

• Social withdrawal
• Excessive time spent with new friends
• Mood swings, including irritability and reckless behavior
• Changes in sleep habits
• Missed appointments or deadlines
• Problems at work, school or with the law

Physical and behavioral signs and symptoms may also be linked to Vyvanse addiction like sweating, dilated pupils, loss of appetite and experiencing a crash after a Vyvanse high.

If you or someone you love is struggling with their Vyvanse use, help is available. Contact The Recovery Village to discuss customized treatment plans for your Vyvanse addiction and any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more