Vyvanse High (Addiction): Symptoms, Side Effects, Precaution.

Vyvanse High & Addiction: In the recent years, the use of ADHD medications has become hugely popular, especially among university students who feel burdened by the massive educational workload. Vyvanse is one of the common ADHD medications used by students. It does a great job in improving focus and motivation. However, the drug also tends to have a number of negative side effects, which is why it is strictly sold under prescription. Despite the restrictions, the use of Vyvanse is becoming more and more rampant by the day.

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Vyvanse and its Uses

The main active component in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine which acts as a stimulator to the central nervous system. The drug directly acts on the brain and nervous system in order to alter the level of those chemicals that have a direct role in altering the chemical levels contributing to both impulse control as well as hyperactivity.

Vyvanse is mainly used for the treatment of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It helps in improving focus, attention and eliminates distractions. The medicine mainly works by maintaining an optimum balance of the neurotransmitters within the brain. The drug is used one time a day and is prescribed to all people including children above the age of 6 years. However, it is considered safer for children between the ages of 6 and 12 to first go through a behavioral therapy before starting with the medicine.

Vyvanse also helps in controlling he binge eating disorders by controlling impulsive behavior. However, due to its potential side effects, it is recommended not to use Vyvanse for weight loss. It should be noted that Vyvanse belongs to the category of substances that are controlled federally under the CII. It is basically an amphetamine. Therefore, misuse or abuse can lead to addiction.

Is it illegal to use Vyvanse?

Vyvanse belongs to the list of substances that are controlled under the Schedule II of the United States Law. According to this, it falls on the same list as cocaine. This is the sole reason why the drug is sold under strict prescription. So, if you are using the drug without any prescription or indulging in unauthorized distribution, it could land you up in legal trouble.

Ideal Vyvanse Dosage for not to get High

Here is the Ideas dosage for Vyvanse is determined by age and to Avoid getting Vyvanse High Addiction.

Adult dosage for the treatment of attention deficit disorder

You can start with an initial oral dosage of 30 mg per day, the first thing in the morning. As you continue with the medicine, you can increase to 30mg to 70 mg for maintenance. It is also considered okay to adjust the dosage by about 10mg or 20 mg within intervals of a week. However, the daily dosage should not exceed 70mg.

Adult dosage for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

For the treatment of binge eating disorder, the initial recommended dosage is 30 mg per day, taken orally. You can then gradually go up to a daily dosage of 50mg to 70mg. The dosage can be increased by about 20mg within a gap of a week. However, it should not go beyond 70 mg a day. The drug should only be used if the disorder is moderate to severe. Furthermore, if the medication does not seem to influence any positive change, it should not be continued any longer.

Pediatric dosage for the treatment of attention deficit disorder

This dosage applies to children between the age of 6 and 17 years. The initial recommended dosage is 30 mg per day. For maintenance, it can be used at 30 to 70 mg per day. You can increase the dosage by upto 20 mg in weekly gaps. However, the maximum daily dosage should remain below 70mg. Furthermore, the patient should also be assessed for potential risk of abuse and cardiac disease before the prescription of Vyvanse.

If you happen to miss a dosage as the first thing in the morning, take it immediately as it crosses your mind. However, if it is already late evening, it is better to skip the dose. There is also no need to make up for the missed dosage. It should be noted that Vyanse tends to impair your reactions. So avoid driving or indulging in activities that require you to stay alert, immediately after taking the medicine. If the activity cannot be avoided, make sure you stay alert till it is done.

Side Effects of Vyvanse

Vyvanse may cause allergic reactions. So, if you experience anything such as difficulty in breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, and throat, etc. get medical help as soon as possible. In addition to the various Vyvanse side effects that may be experienced while taking the drug, another potential danger of the drug relates to the potential for overdose. Signs of overdose range from blurred vision to muscle cramps, pain and spasms, excessive perspiration, rapid breathing, hallucinations and seizures. Medical assistance should be sought immediately in cases of suspected overdose.

Other side effects of Vyvanse are:

Heart problems
Pounding heartbeats, chest pain, a fluttering feeling in the chest difficulty in breathing
Psychotic symptoms
Hostility, aggression, hallucinations, behavioral problems, paranoia
Circulatory issues
A cold feeling in the body, numb sensation, a change in the skin color in patches, especially in the toes and fingers

Vyvanse may also cause other side effects such as twitching, stiff muscles, increased heart rate, loss of coordination, shivering, sweating, agitation, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. These belong to the category of serotonin syndrome. If you experience any of these after taking Vyvanse, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Vyvanse is also known to affect the growth rate in children. However, this is not a complete list of the symptoms. Lisdexamfetamine, the main active component present in Vyvanse, can also give rise to many other unwanted side effects. The most common one is uncontrolled, repeated body movements and vocal outbursts.

Sometimes, the side effects do not require any medical attention. These symptoms usually go away as the body starts to adjust to the medicine. However, you can always seek medical help in order to minimize or prevent these side effects.

Symptoms of Vyvanse High (Addiction)

The most common symptoms of Vyvanse addiction are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and more. In case of advance level addiction, it can also cause blood pressure problems. One may also experience pretty serious withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped abruptly. The common withdrawal symptoms of Vyvanse are similar to that of amphetamine withdrawal. These include sudden mood changes, anxiety issues, lucid dreaming, and more. However, the withdrawal symptoms of Vyvanse are not as intense as that of several other amphetamines.

Can Vyvanse Cause High & Addiction?

Vyanse is a habit-forming drug. So, if used continuously for a long period of time, it is very much possible that Vyvanse can also cause addiction. The risk is higher amongst people using it without any prescription. Furthermore, as a person grows more and more dependent on the drug, the side effects tend to get even more intense. The drug can also give rise to tolerance issues, social disability, and psychological dependence. The addiction(high) of Vyvanse is mainly attributed to d-amphetamine, an active stimulant used in the drug.

Also Read: How Long Does Adderall Stay in your System?

Overdosing on Vyvanse

The main active component present in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine and overdosing on it can be fatal. Therefore, in case of an overdose, the person should be rushed to medical help as soon as possible. Following symptoms indicate that there has been an overdose.

Blurred vision
Confusion
Cramps in the stomach and abdomen
Darkening of the urine color
Dizziness or light-headedness or a feeling that you are going to pass out, especially when you stand up from a sitting position
Shortness of breath
Muscle spasms and cramps
Muscle stiffness
A nervous feeling
Extremely sharp reflexes
Panic
Attempts of self-injury
A pounding sensation in the ears
Restlessness
Hallucination
Seizures
Shakiness in the limbs
Perspiration
Violent behavior

These symptoms may also be followed by depression, extreme tiredness, and even coma.

Vyvanse High vs. Adderall High – The Differences

The high from Vyvanse is considered to be much smoother as compared to that of Adderall. While Adderall hits you hard all at once, the intensity of high from Vyvanse increases gradually till it reaches the peak. The effects of Adderall lasts for a maximum of 6 hours while that of Vyvanse can stay for as long as 14 hours. Vyvanse tends to be more oriented towards the body as compared to Adderall. However, there is still a substantial upliftment of mood. Adderall, on the other hand, has a direct role in manipulating the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine. This results in strong euphoric feelings with intensity much greater than that of Vyvanse.

Students who are looking for an effective medicine to help increase their attention span for a longer period of time would prefer Vyvanse. However, those using amphetamines purely for recreation would stick with Adderall. 12 hours is too long to get zoned out anyway. Also, the effects of Adderall start showing up within a very short span of time. The effects of Vyvanse, on the other hand, are delayed. Hence, there is a greater risk of Adderall abuse.

Like Vyvanse, Adderall, too, is a long-acting drug. Its effects can last for several hours. Although the two drugs share a lot of common properties, a comparison is not very easy, mainly because the effects of both the drugs tend to vary from one person to the other. Therefore, if you want to make an ideal selection, it is important to consider your entire medical history as well as have a thorough consultation with the doctor.

Adderall is an effective alternative to Vyvanse. As Vyvanse is associated with a number of side effects, users are constantly trying to weigh in the positive and negative effects of both the drugs. Adderall was released much before Vyvanse. In fact, Vyvanse was only released as a substitute to the Adderall XR. Like Vyvanse, Adderall, too, is an amphetamine salt. Therefore, the drug shares a lot many similarities with Vyvanse.

See Also: Adderall (XR) Side Effects for Long Term

Precautions while taking Vyvanse

Vyvanse is associated with quite a number of side effects. Therefore, in order to stay on the safer side, following precautions should be taken while using Vyvanse.

If you have any kind of allergies, make sure you bring the same before the doctor’s notice
If you are already experiencing allergies due to some other drug, inform your doctor regarding the same. This ensures that Vyvanse does not aggravate the allergy
If you have been on prescription drugs other than Vyvanse, consult your doctor regarding the same. This will avoid any harmful interactions with the drug.
If you are pregnant or planning for one, make sure you bring it to the doctor’s attention.
Breastfeeding women should not use the drug as it can turn out to be harmful to the baby.

Also Read: Downsides and Health Hazards of Candy Flipping

Recreational uses of Vyvanse

Vyvanse should only be consumed in small amounts on a daily basis. This minimizes the risk of abuse. However, many people still use the drug for recreational purposes, especially to stay alert and awake for longer hours. In fact, recreational use of Vyvanse is becoming an increasing problem among college students. They tend to use it mainly to stay awake all night before a test. Others also use it to reduce appetite and therefore, aid weight loss. The drug may seem to be effective and helpful in the short term. However, it does not come without its side effects. People who use the drug for recreational purposes are bound to experience symptoms such as jitters, headache, dizziness, stomach cramps, fever, tremors, aggression, paranoia, tics, and shortness of breath. Most often, people who use the drug for recreational purposes are not aware of these negative side effects. This is also the reason why it is recommended to take Vyvanse only after consultation with the doctor.

Conclusion

Many people tend to get overwhelmed by the positive effects of Vyvanse, thereby ignoring its potential negative side effects. However, it is important to learn both the benefits as well as the consequences. Many people even term Vyvanse as a harmless form of recreation. However, this is not really the case. The drug may be helpful for those suffering from issues such as BED and ADHD. There is a reason why it is sold under prescription. So, if you do not have a prescription, you should make sure that you are entirely aware of all the consequences that can come with the drug.

It is also important that you thoroughly go through the entire medication guide that has been given to you. Apart from that, you should fix regular appointments with the doctor so as to track your progress. If you have any queries or concerns, make sure you communicate with your doctor. The drug can be stored at room temperature. However, make sure that it stays away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Also, keep it away from the reach of children. If you have any unused or expired medicines, dispose it off in sealed containers or take them to a disposal program.

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