Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD and binge eating disorder. Vyvanse can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Its side effects are usually the same in males and females.

Key takeaways

  • Vyvanse is a stimulant medication that contains lisdexamfetamine. It can alter the balance of chemicals in your brain. Like any medication, it can cause some side effects.
  • The more common, mild side effects of Vyvanse include anger or irritability, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These are usually manageable and go away on their own with time.
  • Vyvanse may also cause more serious side effects, including heart attack, stroke, and mental health conditions like depression and psychosis. These may be long-term effects. Speak with a doctor if you experience these severe side effects.

Vyvanse is used to treat:

The active ingredient in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug is available as a capsule that you swallow or a chewable tablet.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Vyvanse can cause. You can also check out this comprehensive overview of Vyvanse for more information, including details about its uses.

Vyvanse has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Note: In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Vyvanse treatment.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vyvanse in studies. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Vyvanse for ADHD include:

More common side effects in people taking Vyvanse for binge eating disorder include:

  • dry mouth
  • decreased appetite
  • constipation
  • anxiety
  • sleep problems*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Like most medications, taking Vyvanse may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Vyvanse include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Vyvanse unless your doctor recommends it.

Vyvanse may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Vyvanse prescribing information for details.

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Although it’s uncommon, taking Vyvanse may cause serious side effects in some people.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Vyvanse include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Vyvanse, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Vyvanse can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical studies of Vyvanse, but it has been reported since the drug was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help?

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Vyvanse.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vyvanse, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Vyvanse typically causes the same side effects in both females and males. There haven’t been reports of different side effects in females and males.

But it’s important to note that Vyvanse can have harmful effects if taken during pregnancy. For more information, see this article on Vyvanse and pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Although not common, taking Vyvanse can cause long-term side effects. This includes side effects that may continue even after treatment ends or side effects that occur after taking the drug for a long time.

Long-term side effects of Vyvanse may include:

If you have questions about possible long-term side effects of Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Vyvanse’s side effects.

Can Vyvanse cause specific side effects if your dose is too high?

It’s possible. For example, studies found weight loss is more likely to occur with higher Vyvanse doses.

These studies didn’t always compare side effects across different Vyvanse strengths, so it’s not known if other side effects may differ depending on strength.

If you experience side effects from taking Vyvanse, lowering your dose may help relieve the side effect. But you shouldn’t change your Vyvanse dose unless your doctor tells you to do so. Always take Vyvanse exactly as your doctor prescribes.

If you have other questions about how your dose may affect your risk of side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are Vyvanse’s side effects in children different than those in adults?

Yes, they can be. In studies, irritability was reported more commonly in children than in adults.

Vyvanse may also cause slowed growth (height and weight) in children. Your child’s doctor will closely monitor their height and weight and compare it with average growth rates for your child’s age. If they note signs of slowed growth, your child’s doctor may temporarily or permanently have your child stop taking Vyvanse.

If you have questions about Vyvanse’s side effects in children, talk with your child’s doctor or with a pharmacist.

How does Vyvanse affect your personality?

Vyvanse can cause emotional or personality changes, including anger or irritability.

Certain emotional side effects were reported by people taking Vyvanse in studies, including:

If you’re concerned about emotional side effects with Vyvanse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss how to treat these side effects.

How long do Vyvanse’s side effects tend to last?

In many cases, side effects caused by Vyvanse should be temporary. And mild side effects often go away on their own or can be easily treated.

But if you have any symptoms that don’t go away or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest stopping your Vyvanse treatment and switching to a different drug.

Learn more about some of the side effects Vyvanse may cause, including its boxed warning.

Risk of misuse and dependence

Vyvanse has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Treatment with Vyvanse may lead to physical dependence or misuse. With dependence, your body needs a drug to feel like you usually would. And misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how your doctor prescribes. This includes taking a medication for nonmedical purposes.

Misuse can lead to addiction. Some people may also develop addiction when taking Vyvanse as prescribed. With addiction, it’s difficult to stop taking a drug even though it may be causing harm.

Symptoms of Vyvanse misuse can include:

  • aggressive or hostile behavior
  • excessive sweating
  • heavy breathing
  • high blood pressure
  • sleep problems, including insomnia
  • thoughts of harming yourself or others

What might help

Before prescribing Vyvanse, your doctor will review your medical history. They’ll look for any risk factors for misuse or dependence. They’ll also monitor you for any symptoms of misuse or dependence during your treatment.

Call your doctor right away if you’re concerned about misuse or dependence while taking Vyvanse. They may lower your dose or have you switch to a different drug for your condition.

Because Vyvanse can cause dependence, it’s important that you don’t stop taking the drug unless your doctor tells you to. If you need to stop your treatment, your doctor will lower your dose over time. This can help prevent withdrawal symptoms (side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on).

If you have questions about stopping your Vyvanse treatment or about your risk for misuse or dependence, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Sleep problems

Sleep problems can occur during Vyvanse treatment. Sleep problems reported in the drug’s studies included insomnia (trouble sleeping) and nightmares. Insomnia was among Vyvanse’s more common side effects. In rare cases, people stopped taking Vyvanse due to insomnia.

In the studies, insomnia occurred more often in adults, but it was also reported in children taking Vyvanse.

It’s important to note that sleep problems can also be a symptom of serious side effects that Vyvanse may cause. Examples of these serious side effects include mental health conditions, such as mania, depression, and psychosis.

What might help

Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant that can keep you awake if taken later in the day. To help prevent sleep problems such as insomnia while taking Vyvanse, avoid taking your dose in the afternoon. Take Vyvanse in the morning instead.

If you have sleep problems while taking Vyvanse, talk with your doctor. They may suggest treatment for this side effect, which may include a new prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Or they may have you stop taking Vyvanse and switch to a different treatment for your condition.

Headache

Some people may experience headaches during their Vyvanse treatment. This side effect was rare in studies, but some people did stop taking Vyvanse due to headache.

What might help

Headaches from Vyvanse may go away on their own. But if you experience headaches that bother you or won’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest treatment for this side effect, such as a new prescription or OTC drug. Or they may suggest that you stop taking Vyvanse and try a different treatment for your condition.

Depression

In some cases, depression can occur with Vyvanse use. In studies, depression was reported in people using Vyvanse, but it wasn’t common.

Symptoms of depression can include:

  • changes in appetite
  • feeling agitated or restless
  • feeling guilty or worthless
  • losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
  • sleeping too much or too little

What might help

If you notice symptoms of depression while taking Vyvanse, it’s important to talk with your doctor. They can suggest treatment options, such as prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of treatments. Your doctor may also suggest that you stop taking Vyvanse and try another treatment for your condition.

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.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Vyvanse treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
  • what your symptoms were from the side effect
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were also taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Vyvanse affects you. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Before deciding to take Vyvanse, there are certain warnings to consider. See below for more details.

Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence

Vyvanse has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other warnings

Vyvanse can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Vyvanse is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Vyvanse. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

If you’re looking at treatment options for ADHD or an eating disorder, your doctor may suggest Vyvanse. Like most medications, taking Vyvanse can cause side effects in some people.

If you’re considering treatment with Vyvanse, talk with your doctor. Some examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • How do Vyvanse’s side effects compare with other medications that could treat my condition?
  • Can taking Vyvanse cause sexual side effects?
  • If I have side effects while taking Vyvanse, will taking a lower dose help?

To learn more about Vyvanse, see these articles:

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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 another 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.