What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a new ADD/ADHD drug manufactured by Shire that was
approved by the FDA in February 2007 to treat ADD/ADHD symptoms in
children aged 6 through 12. It is a prodrug, which means that it
must be orally ingested to activate its main ingredient,
lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (the same active ingredient in
Adderall). Once it passes through the liver, a protein chain is
taken off the medication and it becomes an active amphetamine.
Therefore, the abuse potential for Vyvanse is much lower than most
ADD/ADHD drugs.
In clinical studies, parents reported that their children’s
ADD/ADHD symptoms were consistently controlled throughout the day,
even through homework time from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Additionally,
children taking Vyvanse in the study were able to focus and perform
better on tests; in a timed math test, a group taking Vyvanse
attempted 51% more math problems than the group given placebo, and
provided correct answers 54% more often than the placebo group.
An overall improvement was recorded in 95% of children that took
Vyvanse for 12 months.
What are the characteristics of Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is similar to Adderall; its active ingredient is
lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It provides consistent ADD/ADHD
symptom control for up to 12 hours. Vyvanse is a capsule that can
be swallowed whole or broken up and mixed with water, ice cream,
applesauce, or yogurt (for kids who can’t swallow).
Vyvanse is taken once daily and is available in three dosage
strengths:
• 30 mg—white and orange capsule
• 50 mg—white and blue capsule
• 70 mg—blue and orange capsule
Three different strengths give you and your doctor some
flexibility in determining which dosage is right for your child.
The recommended starting dose for Vyvanse is 30 mg once per day
taken orally in the morning. The dosage may then be increased by up
to 20 mg per day at weekly intervals, up to a maximum of 70 mg per
day.
Who is Vyvanse approved for?
Currently, Vyvanse is approved for children aged 6 to 12
years.
On June 29, 2007, Shire announced that they have submitted a
supplemental New Drug Application to the FDA for Vyvanse for the
treatment of ADD/ADHD in adults. The application is subject to a
10-month review period.
What are the side effects of Vyvanse?
Vyvanse was very well tolerated in clinical studies with
children. The most common side effects were decreased appetite,
difficulty falling asleep, irritability, and stomachache.
Generally, the side effects were described as mild to moderate;
occurrence and severity of side effects decreased over time. As
with any prescription medication, it is important to remember that
your doctor has prescribed it because he/she feels that the
benefits will outweigh the possibility of side effects.
How much does Vyvanse cost?
Vyvanse will cost the same as Shire’s other popular ADD/ADHD
drug, Adderall XR: around $3.40 a day. The cost may even be less
than Adderall XR because it is estimated that patients who switch
from Adderall XR to Vyvanse might need fewer doses.
Ritalin remains the cheapest ADD/ADHD drug; Vyvanse costs
considerably more than Ritalin and Ritalin SR. The cost is
comparable to the 36mg and 54 mg doses of Concerta, which is around
$140 per month
When can Vyvanse be used?
Vyvanse should be taken once daily in the morning. It provides
consistent ADHD symptom control throughout the day for up to 12
hours. In clinical studies, parents reported that their children’s
ADD/ADHD symptoms were controlled at approximately 10 A.M., 2 P.M.,
and 6 P.M., and demonstrated consistent symptom control throughout
the day.
Vyvanse is a once-a-day capsule that should be taken in the
morning, either with or without food as prescribed by your child’s
doctor. If your child is unable or unwilling to swallow pills,
Vyvanse capsules may be opened and the entire contents of the pill
can be dissolved in water or sprinkled on applesauce, ice cream, or
yogurt. The entire portion must be finished and should not be
stored for later use.
Can Vyvanse be abused?
The abuse potential of Vyvanse is extremely low; the medication
is designed to have a reduced or minimal abuse potential. Since
Vyvanse requires oral ingestion to be converted to the active drug,
the capsule contents are highly unlikely to be sought out for
inhalation or injection. Vyvanse is a prodrug; it must pass through
the liver where it is converted to an active amphetamine.
How does Vyvanse compare to Ritalin, Ritalin SR, and
Concerta?
Vyvanse is a new class of ADD/ADHD medication. Unlike Ritalin,
Vyvanse is not an immediate release stimulant. Vyvanse must pass
through the liver before it is converted to an amphetamine, so the
abuse and addiction potential is much lower. Ritalin SR and
Concerta are long-acting formulas like Vyvanse, but Vyvanse has
been shown to provide more consistent symptom control over a longer
period of time than Ritalin SR and Concerta.
Ritalin, or methylphenidate, must be taken two or three times a
day for symptom control, whereas Vyvanse is only taken once. The
effectiveness of Ritalin is often inconsistent. It is inexpensive,
but abuse and addiction potential is much higher with Ritalin than
with Vyvanse.
Ritalin SR is a long-acting formulation of methylphenidate with
inconsistent performance reviews. It doesn’t work for everyone and
usually lasts up to 6 hours. However, like short acting Ritalin,
Ritalin SR is inexpensive.
Of the three, Concerta is the most comparable ADD/ADHD
medication to Vyvanse. They both control symptoms for up to 12
hours and are generally well-tolerated. Concerta is not a prodrug,
so the abuse potential is higher than it is for Vyvanse.
Where is Vyvanse Available?
At the time of publication of this article, Vyvanse will be
available soon in the USA. It is not yet available in other parts
of the world. Please check back, as I will update this article when
Vyvanse will be available in other countries such as: Canada, UK,
Australia, Europe, etc.
The Bottom Line About Vyvanse
Treatment and management of ADD/ADHD requires many components;
this article focuses only medication. Vyvanse is a breakthrough
ADD/ADHD drug and many doctors and parents will seriously consider
switching from their current ADD/ADHD medication for the benefits
Vyvanse offers: low abuse and addiction potential, one daily dose,
and symptom control for up to 12 hours. For more information on the
other treatments of ADD/ADHD: 1) sign up for my ADD/ADHD newsletter
at www.TheADHDDoctor.com, and 2) peruse this blog for more articles
about ADD/ADHD.
Technorati Tags: Vyvanse, ADHD, ADD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, Addiction, Medication for ADHD, Medication for ADD, Adderall, Adderall XR
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