Skip to content

Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms are not fatal, but side effects like cravings and depression can make quitting difficult or increase your risk of suicide. Read more about the treatment options for you or your loved ones struggling with Vyvanse addiction.

Vyvanse Withdrawal

Vyvanse was the second most commonly prescribed amphetamine in Mississippi, accounting for roughly a quarter of all prescriptions for CNS stimulants, totaling around 160,000 in 2014. Despite its medical use, extended usage, especially at high doses, can alter brain chemistry, causing you to crave Vyvanse and trigger unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you go without it.

The level of neurotransmitters in the brain abruptly drops after discontinuing Vyvanse. Because the body is not acclimated to operating at a lower level of stimulation, the drop causes withdrawal symptoms. While Vyvanse withdrawal isn’t generally life-threatening, professional help is better at alleviating withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult.

What is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse is a prescription medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Treatment for ADHD also generally involves behavioral therapies.

However, Vyvanse can cause a reaction in the body typical of many stimulants in those who have not been diagnosed with the illness and in many adults. People who are obese or overweight shouldn’t use Vyvanse to lose weight. Other adverse effects may include the following:

  • Intense activity
  • Chattiness
  • Agitation
  • Desire for more
  • Anxiety

With sustained use, tolerance may form, and when combined with cravings for more and more of the drug, this can result in Vyvanse abuse and addiction. Once Vyvanse addiction develops, enrolling in a thorough detox and treatment program is the safest way to handle the problem.

How Should Vyvanse Be Used?

Vyvanse or (Lisdexamfetamine) is available as a chewable tablet and a capsule for oral use. It is often taken in the morning, once a day, with or without food. Lisdexamfetamine should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Lisdexamfetamine should not be accepted late afternoon or evening as it may make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain instructions on your prescription label that you need clarification on following. Then, follow the medication’s directions precisely.

Before swallowing, chewable tablets must be thoroughly chewed. You can either open the capsule and pour the contents into yogurt, water, or orange juice or eat the pill whole. Stir to dissolve, then immediately ingest the concoction. Never divide the contents of a capsule into multiple doses or store the mixture for later use.

Your doctor will likely start you on a modest dose of lisdexamfetamine and gradually raise your amount, not more frequently than once per week. If you suffer unfavorable side effects, your doctor may lower your dose. From time to time, your doctor could advise you to stop taking lisdexamfetamine to determine whether the drug is still necessary. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

Ryan Zofay forming a circle and hugging friends.

Get Your Life Back

Find Hope & Recovery. Get Safe Comfortable Detox, Addiction Rehab & Mental Health Dual Diagnosis High-Quality Care at the We Level Up Treatment Centers Network.

Hotline (877) 378-4154

Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) Fact Sheet

Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)

Lisdexamfetamine is a medication prescribed to adults and children six years of age and older to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more trouble focusing, managing behaviors, and remaining still or quiet than other individuals their age).

Adults with binge eating disorders can also benefit from lisdexamfetamine treatment (an eating disorder characterized by periods of uncontrolled overeating). The medication lisdexamfetamine belongs to the drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It functions by altering the concentrations of specific organic compounds in the brain.

Common Brands

Vyvanse

Controlled Substance Classification

Vyvanse is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse.

Availability

This medication needs prescription authorization from your doctor only.

Vyvanse Withdrawal Statistics

According to a Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report from 2012, Vyvanse non-medical use resulted in 2,014 emergency room visits and 116 people enrolling in addiction programs. According to a Drug Abuse Warning Network report from 2012, Vyvanse’s non-medical use resulted in 2,014 emergency room visits and 116 people enrolling in addiction programs.


7-8%

Studies that surveyed persons in the U.S. suggested that 7% to 8% had used prescription stimulants like Vyvanse for nonmedical purposes throughout their lifetime.

Source: NIDA

17%

Up to 17% of college students are thought to misuse prescription stimulants. Most patients who take stimulants recreationally are between 18 and 25.

Source: NIDA

56%

More than half (56.3%) of the stimulant users cited that cognitive enhancement is the main reason for misusing prescription stimulants, such as Vyvanse.

Source: NIH


Is Vyvanse Addictive?

All stimulant medications have the potential to be abused, but the risk of abuse and addiction varies between each medication version. Is Vyvanse addictive? While Vyvanse was developed with unique chemical properties with the hope of minimizing abuse liability, it still poses a severe risk to those who misuse it. Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating severe psychological or physical dependence risk.

Can Vyvanse Be Abused?

Though Vyvanse can offer a person a euphoric feeling, increased focus, and greater energy, it is essential to recall that Vyvanse is a Schedule II drug. It has a high probability of addiction when used improperly, and it can cause nerve impairment if one is exposed to improper or excessive dosages for long periods of time.

Does Vyvanse Get You High?

Many opt to snort Vyvanse, supposing it will give them a more prominent “high.” According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, snorting prescription stimulants will deliver a much faster “high,” as the effects of the drug hit the bloodstream faster than if the pills are swallowed as prescribed. Studies reveal that snorting this drug can cause excessive harm to the body.

Get Help. Get Better. Get Your Life Back.

Searching for Accredited Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers Near You? Or Mental Health Support?

Even if you have failed previously, relapsed, or are in a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you. Our trusted behavioral health specialists will not give up on you. Call us when you feel ready or want someone to speak to about therapy alternatives to change your life. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you wherever you can get support. There is no obligation. Call our hotline today.

FREE Addiction Hotline – Call 24/7
Snorting Vyvanse won't provide more intense effects, but it will produce a number of harmful effects.
Snorting Vyvanse won’t provide more intense effects, but it will produce a number of harmful effects.

Can You Snort Vyvanse?

Can vyvanse be snorted? Similar to other stimulants, Vyvanse can be abused by people seeking pleasurable effects of the drug. Those seeking a high may attempt to crush and snort the drug to produce a quicker and “better” high (as this method creates more rapid and intense effects in many other drugs). Users who take the drug recreationally typically do so to:

  • Experience a euphoric high
  • Help with studying
  • Improve concentration
  • Increase energy

What Happens If You Snort Vyvanse?

Snorting Vyvanse does not speed up or intensify its effects. Vyvanse offers a completely different method of time-release compared to other stimulants. Rather than relying on special coatings to slow the effects, Vyvanse achieves its results due to its slow, enzymatic-controlled rise in the concentration of active drugs in the blood. 

This unique feature and resulting lack of a quick onset “high” could deter attempts to abuse the medication via methods such as crushing and snorting the pill. However, that does not mean that recreational snort Vyvanse users do not commonly attempt to snort and inject the drug to achieve a stronger high.

Can I snort Vyvanse? While snorting many drugs—such as Adderall (another stimulant) and painkillers like OxyContin—might result in a significant increase in the rate and intensity of effects as compared to oral ingestion, the same does not appear to be the case for Vyvanse.

D people snort Vyvanse? In actuality, comparisons of Vyvanse use by oral consumption and intranasal consumption show that the effects are equal. The onset and duration of effects were similar as were the levels of dextroamphetamine available in the body whether the substance was snorted or taken orally. 

Does snorting Vyvanse work? In reality, snorting Vyvanse does not speed up or intensify effects. This is likely due to the chemical formation of Vyvanse, which requires the substance to be processed from lisdexamfetamine to dextroamphetamine to be active. Vyvanse snorting only causes additional physical harm.

First-class Facilities & Amenities

World-class High-Quality Addiction & Mental Health Rehabilitation Treatment

Rehab Centers Tour

Renowned Addiction Centers. Serene Private Facilities. Inpatient rehab programs vary.

Addiction Helpline (877) 378-4154

Proven recovery success experience, backed by a Team w/ History of:

  • 15+ Years Experience
  • 100s of 5-Star Reviews
  • 10K+ Recovery Successes
  • Low Patient to Therapist Ratio
  • Onsite Medical Detox Center
  • Comprehensive Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
  • Complimentary Family & Alumni Programs
  • Coaching, Recovery & Personal Development Events

Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms

Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms are not fatal, but side effects like cravings and depression can make quitting difficult or increase your risk of suicide. Medical detox or an inpatient rehab treatment program is safer and more likely to produce lasting developments. Following the administration of Vyvanse, you may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms like:

  • Anxiety
  • Cravings
  • higher appetite
  • Depression
  • a greater desire to sleep
  • difficult to feel happy

Depending on how long you’ve been taking Vyvanse and what dosage you were given, these symptoms might last for a while and vary in intensity. However, even after weeks, months, or even years of burdensome use, some users still have trouble satisfying their appetites and feeling happy.

Vyvanse Withdrawal Timeline

The first signs of Vyvanse withdrawal often appear 36 hours after the last dose, not long after the active ingredient has wholly disappeared. However, withdrawal symptoms can linger for many days or weeks, particularly in patients who have taken a high amount of Vyvanse for a long time.

The initial signs for patients are often a marked decline in energy and mood, which may resemble a Vyvanse crash. They can also feel the want to eat more. Physical Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms such as muscle and joint pain follow this stage, and mental health impacts like irritability or sadness continue. Many patients have problems falling asleep at this time. Even though this is a typical pattern, each patient’s withdrawal schedule may vary.

Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms starts showing depending on how long you've been taking Vyvanse and what dosage you were given, these symptoms might last for a while and vary in intensity.
Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms start showing depending on how long you’ve taken Vyvanse and what dosage you were given. These symptoms might last for a while and vary in intensity.
  1. How Long Does Vyvanse Withdrawal Last?

    The duration of a project can be from a few weeks to several months. The duration of the process is influenced by the dose and duration of use as well as by physical and mental health conditions.

  2. Can You Have Withdrawals from Vyvanse?

    It is possible to have withdrawal symptoms after ceasing drug use, even if one is not a nonmedical (or recreational) Vyvanse user. Even those who take medications as prescribed by their doctors risk experiencing withdrawal if they abruptly lower their dosage or stop using Vyvanse. The action of Vyvanse is to raise the concentrations of neurotransmitters in the brain. The body adapts to functioning under these higher neurotransmitter levels as they gradually become the norm.

  1. Does Vyvanse Have Withdrawal Symptoms?

    When a person who has been dependent on Vyvanse reduces or stops taking the medication, they experience withdrawal from the substance. Generally speaking, the quantity and duration of Vyvanse correspond with the symptoms’ intensity and persistence. By speaking with a doctor who can prescribe a tapering dose plan, withdrawal symptoms can be lessened or avoided in certain situations of mild Vyvanse use disorders.

  2. How to Stop Taking Vyvanse Without Withdrawal?

    For a variety of reasons, patients may want to stop taking Vyvanse. They may want to be free of ADHD medications or find side effects like weight loss, dry mouth, or nausea intolerable. Before a patient can stop taking Vyvanse, their dosage may need to be gradually reduced.

World-class, Accredited, 5-Star Reviewed, Effective Addiction & Mental Health Programs. Complete Behavioral Health Inpatient Rehab, Detox plus Co-occuring Disorders Therapy.

CALL (877) 378-4154

End the Addiction Pain. End the Emotional Rollercoaster. Get Your Life Back. Start Drug, Alcohol & Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Treatment Now. Get Free No-obligation Guidance by Substance Abuse Specialists Who Understand Addiction & Mental Health Recovery & Know How to Help.

Side Effects of Vyvanse Withdrawal

Side effects from lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • sleepiness
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • mouth ache
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • slim down

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you have any of these symptoms or any of those mentioned:

  • slow or challenging speech
  • an arm or leg that is weak or numb
  • seizures
  • hallucinating (seeing objects or hearing sounds that do not exist) (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
  • assuming falsehoods to be true
  • feeling unusually wary about other people
  • mood changes
  • verbal or motor tics
  • hives
  • rash
  • enlargement of the tongue, lips, mouth, eyes, or face
  • eyesight issues include hazy vision or others
  • the fingers or toes are pale or have a bluish tint.
  • tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers or toes, or sensitivity to temperature
  • unidentified wounds on the fingers or toes

Vyvanse can cause abrupt mortality in children and teenagers, particularly those with significant heart conditions or congenital heart defects. Adults who already have major cardiac issues or heart defects may also experience sudden death, heart attacks, or stroke due to this medicine. Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child has chest pain, breathlessness, or fainting while taking this medication. The dangers of using this drug should be discussed with your doctor.

Children’s weight gain or growth may be slowed by lisdexamfetamine. The physician for your child will keep a close eye on their development. If you are worried about your child’s weight gain or growth while taking this medication, talk to your child’s doctor.

Vyvanse Withdrawal Treatment

Following detox, the root causes of addiction are treated. Therapy and peer support are emphasized by rehab facilities to address the psychological roots of addiction. While outpatient programs provide frequent treatment without requiring residents to live in the institution, inpatient rehab takes place under close supervision. Twelve-step programs and comparable options offer peer support from other addicts in recovery.

The Matrix Model, Contingency Management, and Behavioral family and couples therapy are among the beneficial treatments for Vyvanse withdrawal.

If you’re experiencing the unpleasant effects of Vyvanse Withdrawal, or you’ve tried to quit in the past but ended up using Vyvanse again, that’s a clear sign you need professional help.
If you’re experiencing the unpleasant effects of Vyvanse Withdrawal, or you’ve tried to quit in the past but ended up using Vyvanse again, that’s a clear sign you need professional help.

A comprehensive and individualized recovery program will give multiple treatment elements that work together to help make these fundamental shifts in thought and behavior patterns. These include:

Get the safest help you need and deserve. Our team at We Level Up NJ specializes in creating an ideal environment and providing effective therapies.

Start a New Life

Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor. Learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs. The We Level Up treatment center network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Call to learn more.

  • Personalized Care
  • Caring Accountable Staff
  • World-class Amenities
  • Licensed & Accredited
  • Renowned w/ 100s 5-Star Reviews

We’ll Call You


Search We Level Up NJ “Vyvanse Withdrawal, Symptoms, Timeline, Addiction, Medical Detox & Treatment” Topics & Resources
Sources:

[1] (September 2016) Prescription Drug Use and Misuse in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR2-2015/NSDUH-FFR2-2015.htm  

[2] Emerging Trends in Prescription Stimulants Indicated for Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Mississippi, 2011 and 2014. Mississippi State Department of Health. from https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/31,7620,382,740,pdf/ADHDPrescriptions2012.pdf  

[3] (May 2011) Bulimia Nervosa Among Methamphetamine Dependent Adults: Association With Outcomes 3 Years After Treatment. Eating Disorders. from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159413/  

[4] (2008) Substance Use Disorders in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for Treatment and the Role of the Primary Care Physician. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2446489/  

[5] (September 2013) Assessing prescription stimulant use, misuse and diversion among youth 10 to 18 years of age. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5832028/  

[6] (January 2016) ADHD-specific stimulant misuse, mood, anxiety, and stress in college-age women at high risk for or with eating disorders. Journal of American College Health. from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4904716/  

[7] Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/021977lbl.pdf  

[8] Howland, R. H. (2008). Lisdexamfetamine: a prodrug stimulant for ADHD. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 46(8), pp. 19-22.

[9] Shoptaw SJ, Kao U, Heinzerling K, Ling W. (2009). Treatment for amphetamine withdrawal. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003021.

[10] Goodman DW. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (vyvanse), a prodrug stimulant for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. P T. 2010 May;35(5):273-87. PMID: 20514273; PMCID: PMC2873712.

[11] NIDA. 2018, June 6. Prescription Stimulants DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants on 2022, November 17

[12] National Library of Medicine – Lisdexamfetamine