Stimulant drugs are nothing new. Drugs like cocaine and meth are notorious for providing users an incredible high, euphoria, and intense energy. But new types of stimulants are increasingly becoming popular especially in young adults. Vyvanse is one of these drugs. Often compared to the study drug Adderall, Vyvanse is also a drug that is used to improve concentration and focus. It is also being abused to enhance performance in academics, sports, and gaming.
If you have heard of this drug before, you might be curious about its effects and whether it is safe to use. Here are some facts that you should know about Vyvanse.
1. Vyvanse is a prescription stimulant.
Vyvanse is a prescription medication, which is the brand name for the generic drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. This amphetamine-based stimulant drug works by altering the balance of your brain chemicals that influence pleasure and reward. Aside from Vyvanse, other brand names for lisdexamfetamine include Venvanse, Tyvense, Elvanse, and Samexid.
2. Vyvanse is mainly used to treat ADHD.
Vyvanse was created and approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD. When taken by ADHD patients, the drug is supposed to help decrease hyperactivity, lower impulsiveness and restlessness, and improve attention. In 2015, Vyvanse was also approved as a medication for binge eating disorder.
Vyvanse is being used by some people as an off-label medication for weight loss. This is because one of the side effects of Vyvanse is loss of appetite which may cause patients to lose weight. According to the FDA, It is, however, critical for patients not to use Vyvanse as a weight loss drug. Doing so may lead to more serious problems like anorexia. Other off-label uses for Vyvanse include treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, and schizophrenia.
3. Taking Vyvanse can result in various side effects.
Just like other medications, using this drug could result in various side effects, even for people suffering from ADHD. Physical side effects include nausea, decrease in appetite, insomnia, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, fast heartbeat, weight loss, and excessive sweating. Men may also experience erectile dysfunction.
There are also psychological side effects that could result from using this drug. These include feelings of anxiety, nervousness, agitation, rapid mood swings, paranoia, and restlessness. Other more extreme symptoms include hallucination, coma, and sudden death.
4. Driving after taking Vyvanse can impair your ability to drive
While Vyvanse is a stimulant, there have been accounts of Vyvanse causing impairment in some people’s ability to drive or operate machinery. If you or someone you know is taking Vyvanse, it is important to take note of this potential side effect as it could cause harm to you and other people.
5. Vyvanse can worsen mental health problems.
For people who have a history of mental health problems, suicide, depression, or bipolar disorder, taking Vyvanse may worsen these conditions. It is possible that new or worse behavior, thought problems, bipolar illness may occur. New manic symptoms and psychotic symptoms such as being suspicious and seeing, believing or hearing things that are not real or true may also take place.
Because of these possibilities, it is important to inform the doctor of your medical history before taking Vyvanse. If you are experiencing these symptoms during treatment, speak to your doctor right away to avoid worsening symptoms.
6. Vyvanse can cause sudden deaths in people with heart problems.
Taking Vyvanse increases the blood pressure and may result in a faster heart rate which could be problematic for people with heart problems. If you have any history or existing heart defects, heart problems, and high blood pressure, you have to inform your doctor before taking Vyvanse. If you are not sure, it is critical that you check for any possibility before deciding to take the drug. There have been accounts of stroke, heart attack, and sudden death occurring in people with heart problems after taking stimulant drugs. If you’re already taking Vyvanse and you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting, you have to seek medical help right away.
7. Vyvanse can be abused and can lead to drug dependence
While Vyvanse is an approved medication for patients suffering from ADHD and binge eating disorders, many people use the drug for other purposes such as weight loss and performance enhancement. There are users who use Vyvanse as an alternative for the study drug Adderall while some gamers use the drug to keep themselves alert when playing online games like Fortnite or PUBG.
What many users do not realize is that Vyvanse has a high potential for abuse especially for users who do not have ADHD. This means that the habitual use of Vyvanse can lead to dependence and addiction.
If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Morningside Recovery by Lighthouse today.
