Experiencing the Effects of Vyvanse for ADHD: A Personal Journey

Have you ever taken Vyvanse for ADHD? If so, how did you feel after taking it for the first time, and how did your experience evolve over time?

My Experience with Vyvanse

I take Vyvanse in the morning since it’s an all-day extended release medication. The effects can vary depending on the activity level of the day. I find that if I’m laying in bed or on the couch watching TV, reading, or drawing, I will start to feel very calm and sleepy about an hour after taking my medication. However, if I am moving around and active, engaging in household chores, I don’t feel that same calming tired feeling. Instead, I am more alert, more focused, and I feel like I make less impulsive decisions. This medication seems to make me take an extra few seconds to think something through before I act.

The Impact on Decision Making

This improved decision-making has been particularly noticeable in scenarios where time blindness is a significant issue. Before being diagnosed and going on medication, time blindness was a major problem for me. I was frequently late and forgetful. The medication has helped me analyze situations and make better decisions. For instance, before, I might have started a project when I should have been getting ready to go pick my child up from school. This project could have caused me to lose track of time and forget to pick my child up on time. Now with Vyvanse, I can assess the situation and decide to prioritize my child's school responsibilities first.

The History and Availability of Vyvanse

Vyvanse has been available in the US since 2007, when I started prescribing it for adult ADHD. It has become a highly useful and welcome addition to the ADHD treatment toolbox. However, like all clinical tools, it doesn’t work for every single patient. Moreover, Vyvanse is capable of causing side effects in some individuals, although these tend to be minimal and manageable. One positive is that generic versions are expected to become available beginning in 2023, which could make it more accessible and affordable.

How Vyvanse Works

Vyvanse is a unique medication among ADHD drugs. It is a pro-drug that is not an active agent until it is processed in the body, which releases the active drug, D-amphetamine. This unique mechanism involves the compound, which is a mixture of D-amphetamine and the amino acid L-lysine, being absorbed into the bloodstream where enzymes act on the pro-drug, separating the lysine from the active D-amphetamine. This rate-limited process gives Vyvanse a built-in time-release mechanism, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with unusual dietary requirements or those who prefer a more convenient dosing schedule.

Duration of Action and Dosage

The duration of action of Vyvanse can vary among individuals but is typically good for around 8-12 hours. Some people hardly notice any effect at all, while others report up to 16 hours. Vyvanse is sold in several strengths, with the highest dose being 70mg. It’s worth noting that the 70mg maximum dose may not be enough for some patients because Vyvanse, as a pro-drug, is processed in a way different from generic stimulants. Therefore, it can be difficult to predict how the effects of Vyvanse will compare to those of another drug.

Vyvanse in Non-ADHD Conditions

Interestingly, Vyvanse has also shown utility in non-ADHD conditions. One of the most notable approvals is for the treatment of Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), which has been particularly valuable since BED and obesity are often comorbid with ADHD. Vyvanse has also been used experimentally in other illnesses such as alopecia areata, autism spectrum disorders, substance use disorders, narcolepsy, obesity/diabetes, and others. While Vyvanse has shown positive results in treating these conditions, it is important for clinicians to use it in appropriate research settings only.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Vyvanse is a valuable medication for treating adult ADHD. While its effects are similar to related agents, it is mostly well-tolerated and provides predictable, reliable, and consistent time-release action for most recipients. However, for some patients, the highest-available dose may be less than optimal. In such cases, additional doses of short-acting D-amphetamine may be useful. Like all drugs, Vyvanse is capable of causing troublesome side effects, so a carefully controlled titration, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing, is recommended. Providing a full range of treatments suited to the patient’s condition remains key to achieving excellent outcomes.

Keywords: Vyvanse, ADHD, Binge Eating Disorder, Time-Release, Decision-making