While the exact causes of the disorder are unknown, scientists are of the opinion that a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors instigates its development. Whatever the cause(s) of binge eating disorder are, the good thing is that it can be treated.

Vyvanse for Treatment of ADHD and Binge Eating Disorder

Vyvanse helps the patients of ADHD to increase focus, maintain alertness, and sustaining motivation, thoughts, and efforts by stimulating the release of two neurotransmitters – norepinephrine and dopamine.

The level of dopamine is also believed to play a role in binge eating disorder. According to research, a significant spike in dopamine levels has been noticed in people affected by the eating disorder whenever they see or smell their favorite foods.

By stimulating the release of dopamine, Vyvanse provides the same dopamine high and thus, eliminates the urge to eat.

Simply put, people suffering from binge eating disorder get their dopamine high from Vyvanse instead of food.

Vyvanse is the only drug that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of binge eating disorder.

Dosage Forms and Strengths of Vyvanse

Vyvanse is available in forms of capsules and chewable tablets in the following dosage strengths:

Capsules

Vyvanse capsules are available in 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, and 70 mg dosage strengths.

Chewable Tablets

Vyvanse chewable tablets are available in 10 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, and 60 mg strengths.

The capsules can be substituted with chewable tablets of the same strength and vice-versa. However, the substitution is not recommended without taking the doctor’s advice.

Recommended Dosage of Vyvanse

30 mg per day is the recommended initial dosage of Vyvanse, on average. However, the dose may be increased by the doctor depending on the severity of the disease, the patient’s response to the drug and overall health.

Maximum Dose of Vyvanse

The maximum recommended dose of Vyvanse is 70 mg per day. However, for patients suffering from severe renal impairment, the daily dose should not exceed 50 mg.

It is extremely important to stick to the prescribed dosage and not increase it on your own because the drug has a high potential for abuse and developing dependence. Even when a patient needs a higher dosage, it needs to be increased gradually to avoid the risk of adverse effects.

Administration

Vyvanse is taken orally once daily, preferably in the morning. Healthcare experts recommend against taking the medicine in the afternoon or evening because it has the potential to cause insomnia. Morning doses give the body enough time to metabolize the drug and hence, greatly reduce the risk of sleeplessness.

General Instructions for Using Vyvanse

If using Vyvansechewable tablets, make sure to chew the tablets thoroughly before swallowing.

The capsules can either be swallowed whole or their contents can be mixed with water, orange juice, or yogurt. Make sure to mix the contents until they are completely dissolved and then consume it immediately. Do not leave or store the medicine mixture.

Do not divide a single dose; if you are prescribed to take one tablet or capsule of Vyvanse daily, take the whole tablet or capsule at the same time and not divide it into multiple doses.

Limitation of Use

The safety of Vyvanse for the treatment of obesity has not been established, so the medicine should not be used for weight loss.

Storage

Vyvanse should ideally be stored at room temperature between the range of 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Centigrade).

However, experts tell that the medicine can be generally kept between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 degrees Centigrade).

How Vyvanse Should Be Disposed of

Since Vyvanse has a high potential for abuse, every state has implemented laws to ensure its proper disposal, which then will decrease the chances of the drug’s misuse.

As responsible citizens, all patients who are using Vyvanse should dispose of the remaining or expired medicine via a medicine take-back program.

Possible Side Effects of Vyvanse

Vyvanse has the potential to cause the following negative effects:

Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Cardiovascular reactions that can often be serious
Negative psychiatric effects
Drug dependence
Serotonin syndrome
Growth suppression
Peripheral vasculopathy
Raynaud’s phenomenon

Adverse Effects of Vyvanse in ADHD Patients Found In Clinical Trials

Several controlled clinical trials have been conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of Vyvanse in children (aged 6 to 12 years), adolescents (13 to 17 years) and adults.

Although the risks are low, Vyvanse has been found to have the potential of producing following adverse effects in people with ADHD:

Effects in Children

Insomnia
Decreased appetite
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dry mouth
Weight loss
Pain in the upper abdominal area
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Nausea and/or vomiting
Irritability
Rashes
Anorexia
Fever

Effects in Adolescents

Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Palpitations
Anorexia
Tremors
Diarrhea
Nausea and/or vomiting
Irritability
Dizziness

Effects in Adults

Decreased appetite
Insomnia
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Nausea and/or vomiting
Anxiety
Anorexia nervosa
Feeling jittery
Agitation
Increase in blood pressure
Restlessness
Weight loss
Shortness of breath
Increased heart rate
Tremors
Palpitations
Hyperhidrosis – a condition that causes excessive and extreme sweating, primarily in feet, hands, and underarm area.

Side Effects Experienced By ADHD Patients (In Clinical Trials) after Discontinuations of Vyvanse

In controlled clinical trials, patients of ADHD were found to experience following negative effects after discontinuation of Vyvanse:

Children

Vomiting
Insomnia
Decreased appetite
Psychomotor hyperactivity
Rashes
Tics – rapid, repeated, non-rhythmic, and involuntary muscle movements that are difficult (sometimes impossible) to stop.

Adolescents

Insomnia
Decreased appetite

Adults

Headache
Hypertension
Irritability
Insomnia
Shortness of breath
Anxiety
Tachycardia – a condition in which the heart rate reaches beyond 100 beats per minute.

Adverse Effects of Vyvanse in People with BED Found In Clinical Trials

While Vyvanse has been found to be generally safe for treating binge eating disorder, controlled clinical studies show that people suffering from an eating disorder may experience following adverse effects with it:

Insomnia
Dry mouth
Decreased appetite
Constipation
Feeling jittery or anxious
Increased heart rate
Decreased appetite

Adverse Effects Experienced By Patients of BED (In Clinical Trials) after Discontinuation of Vyvanse

According to controlled clinical studies, people struggling with the eating disorder may experience following adverse effects after discontinuation of Vyvanse:

Headache
Shortness of breath
Irritability
Rashes
Insomnia
Pain in upper abdominal area
Increased heart rate
Feeling jittery
Anxiety

Possible Drug Interactions

Co-administering Vyvanse with certain medications increases the risk of adverse effects. Here we are listing some of the drugs that are known to have negative effects, when taken with lisdexamfetaminedimesylate, and hence, should be avoided:

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and phenelzine. Taking Vyvanse along with MAOIs can cause the hypertensive crisis; a drastic increase in blood pressure that could potentially be life-threatening. Vyvanse should also be avoided for at least 14 days after using an MAOI drug.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants
John’s Wort
Lithium
Tramadol
Tryptophan
Fentanyl
Fluoxetine
Paroxetine
Ritonavir
Quinidine
Alkalizing agents, such as acetazolamide
Acidifying agents, like protriptylinedesipramine

Precautions

CNS stimulants can cause elevated blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn will increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Since Vyvanse also falls under the category of CNS stimulants, patients need to be screened for the risks of cardiac disease prior to treating them with the medication. This not only includes testing them for the presence of heart disease, but also assessing their risks for the disease by considering the family history of ventricular arrhythmia, heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and any other heart-related issue.

In view of the fact that Vyvanse has a high potential for abuse, every patient should also be assessed for the risk of abuse prior to treating with the drug.

Even when prescribed after assessing risk factors and determining safety, all patients taking Vyvanse need to be regularly monitored for signs of overdose, abuse, or dependence and re-evaluated for the need of the medicine.

Prescription Assistance for Vyvanse

A large number of people in the United States have difficulty obtaining their prescribed medicines because their insurance does not cover the medicines or they are not insured, and they cannot afford to buy them on their own either.

If you fall into any of these categories and have difficulty obtaining your prescribed medicines, don’t worry – prescription assistance programs are available in almost all states.

The prescription assistance programs offer a large number of medicines to eligible patients for free or at lower costs.

Shire Cares, a patient services program run by Shire pharmaceuticals that manufacture the medicine, provides prescription assistance for the ADHD and BED medicine Vyvanse. Call at 1-888-227-3755 or send an email to ShireCares@shire.com to find out details about the eligibility criteria and benefits of the program.