Lisdexamfetamine dimesilate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
Please read this leaflet before you/your child start taking VYVANSE.
This leaflet answers some common questions about VYVANSE.
It does not contain all available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you or your child taking VYVANSE against the benefit it is expected to have.
If you have any concerns about taking VYVANSE, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may want to read it again.
What VYVANSE is used for
VYVANSE is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). VYVANSE increases attention and decreases impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED). VYVANSE may help to reduce the number of binge eating days in patients with moderate to severe BED.
VYVANSE is not for weight loss.
It is not to be taken by children with ADHD under 6 years of age or in patients with BED under 18 years of age. VYVANSE should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program which usually includes psychological, educational and social therapy. For BED, VYVANSE should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
The main ingredient in VYVANSE is lisdexamfetamine dimesilate which itself is not active (such medicines are sometimes called a pro-drug). After VYVANSE is taken, it is converted in the blood to dexamphetamine which is the active medicine.
Your doctor may have prescribed VYVANSE for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you/your child.
VYVANSE can be abused or lead to dependence. VYVANSE is a controlled substance and should be handled responsibly. It is illegal for anyone prescribed VYVANSE to sell or give it to other people.
Keep VYVANSE in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Also, return any unused capsules to your pharmacy to safeguard against them being taken by anyone else (see Disposal section).
Before you take VYVANSE
VYVANSE capsules are not suitable for everyone.
When you must not take it
Do not take VYVANSE if you/your child:
have a disease of the arteries due to cholesterol deposits e.g. atherosclerosis
are allergic (hypersensitive) to amphetamines or any of the other ingredients of VYVANSE listed in "Other ingredients" section of this leaflet
have heart disease such as angina or myocardial infarction (heart attack)
have moderate to severe high blood pressure
have hyperthyroidism (hyperactive thyroid)
have an eye condition called glaucoma
have a tumour of the adrenal gland tissue (phaeochromocytoma)
have tics (muscle twitching usually in the face and shoulders)
have Tourette's syndrome
have severe depression, suicidal ideation or behaviour, thoughts or acts of self-harm or mental illness
have periods of severe anxiety, tension or agitation
suffer with drug dependence or abuse alcohol
are taking or have taken an antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI within the past 14 days.
Do not use VYVANSE if the bottle shows signs of tampering.
Do not use VYVANSE beyond the expiry date (month and year) printed on the bottle.
If you/your child takes VYVANSE after the expiry date has passed, it may have no effect, or worse, there may be an entirely unexpected effect.
Do not give it to children unless your doctor has prescribed it. VYVANSE is not recommended for use in children with ADHD under 6 years of age or in patients with BED under 18 years of age.
If you are not sure whether you/your child should start using VYVANSE, contact your doctor.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child:
are allergic to any other medicines, or any foods, dyes or preservatives
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed
have any other medical conditions or heart problems, including ischemic heart disease (such as angina or myocardial infarction), suspicion or presence of any cardiac or heart -related abnormalities, irregular heartbeats or rate, family history of sudden/cardiac death
suffer from blood pressure and/or taking medications to treat blood pressure
disorders of the blood vessels of the brain e.g. stroke
suffer from depression, bipolar illness, or schizophrenia or other mental illness
have liver or kidney disease. Your doctor may lower the dose if you have kidney disease.
have epilepsy or other seizures or have had an abnormal brain wave test (EEG)
have circulation problems in fingers and toes
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you/your child take any VYVANSE.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicine you/your child are taking or have recently taken, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. VYVANSE can affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VYVANSE works. Using VYVANSE with other medicines can cause serious side effects.
It is especially important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child is taking medicines to treat any of the following conditions:
depression including MAOIs
anxiety, mania or bipolar disorder
high blood pressure
schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illness
strong pain
In addition, the following medicines may also interact with VYVANSE:
Urinary acidifying agents eg. ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), ammonium chloride, sodium acid phosphate
Urinary alkalinising agents eg. sodium bicarbonate, acetazolamide, some thiazides
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you/your child are taking or have recently taken other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Do not start any new medicine while taking VYVANSE without talking to your doctor first.
How to take VYVANSE
Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist or doctor carefully as this may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking VYVANSE. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking VYVANSE. VYVANSE treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
If you do not understand the instructions in this leaflet, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
The usual starting dose for children, adolescents and adults is 30 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase the dose until it is right for you or your child. For treatment of BED your psychiatrist will assess the response to VYVANSE after 12 weeks.
How to take it
Take VYVANSE exactly as prescribed. VYVANSE comes in 6 different strength of capsules.
Take VYVANSE once a day in the morning.
VYVANSE can be taken with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you may open your VYVANSE capsule and pour all of the powder into a soft food such as yogurt, water or orange juice.
Use all of the VYVANSE powder from the capsule so you get all of the medicine.
Using a spoon, break apart any powder that is stuck together. Stir the VYVANSE powder and yogurt, water or orange juice until they are completely mixed together.
Consume all of the yogurt, water or orange juice right away after it has been mixed. Do not store the yogurt, water or orange juice after it has been mixed with VYVANSE.
Do not worry if there is a film or residue left in the glass or container afterwards - this is not the active ingredient.
From time to time, your doctor may stop VYVANSE treatment for a while to check your/your child's ADHD or your BED symptoms.
If you forget to take it
If you/your child forget to take capsules then take them as usual the next morning. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule.
Avoid taking VYVANSE in the afternoon or evening as it can cause an inability to sleep.
A Dosage Chart is provided on the VYVANSE carton to help track the capsules are taken properly. Cross off a symbol each time a capsule is taken.
If you take too much
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you/your child or anyone else may have used too much VYVANSE. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If too much VYVANSE is taken, following symptoms may be experienced: confusion, restlessness, tremor, irregular heart beat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach aches, seizures and coma.
While you are taking VYVANSE
Things you must do
VYVANSE should be taken in the morning
Make sure that all of your doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists, psychologists and pharmacists know you/your child are taking VYVANSE. Remind them if any new medicines are about to be started.
Like all stimulants, VYVANSE may become habit-forming and can be abused by some people. If it is taken correctly as instructed by your doctor, this should not happen, either now or later in life.
Be sure to keep all doctors' appointments so that you/your child's progress can be checked.
Your doctor will want to check your/your child's blood pressure and pulse
Tell your doctor immediately if you/your child become pregnant while on VYVANSE.
Things you must not do
Do not stop treatment or change the dosage without checking with your doctor
Do not give VYVANSE to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you/your child. It may not be safe for another person to take VYVANSE
Do not take VYVANSE to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. It may not be safe to use VYVANSE for another complaint.
Do not take VYVANSE for a longer time than your doctor has prescribed
Things to be careful of
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how VYVANSE affects you
VYVANSE may cause dizziness, drowsiness and blurry or double vision. This is uncommon; but if affected, you/your child should avoid driving or using heavy machinery. Check with your doctor if driving is advisable for you/your child while you/your child are taking VYVANSE.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking VYVANSE
If you/your child drink alcohol, it could make some of the unwanted side effects of VYVANSE worse. Your doctor may suggest that you/your child avoid alcohol completely or reduce the amount you drink while you are taking VYVANSE.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you/your child feel unwell while you/your child are taking VYVANSE.
Like all medicines, VYVANSE can cause some side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are mild and temporary.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You/your child may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you/your child notice any of the following and they worry you:
decreased or loss of appetite
trouble sleeping
headache
dry mouth
weight loss
upper belly pain
agitation, anxiety, aggression, affect lability, irritability, feeling jittery, feeling tired, feeling sleepy
dizziness, restlessness, excessive motor activity with or without feelings of restlessness, tic, tremor
rapid heart beat (tachycardia), palpitations, increased blood pressure
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth
rash, fever, shortness of breath
excessive sweating
excessive widening of the pupil
decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction
circulation problems in fingers and toes (peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon): Fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful; change colour or have sensitivity to temperature
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you/your child develop:
allergic reaction which may result in a rash or more rarely to a sharp drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and hives/itching (anaphylactic reaction)
chest pain or tightness in the chest
shortness of breath
irregular heart beat
seizures (fits)
vision problems
mood changes such as depression or irritability
new or worsening aggressive behaviour
excitement, overactivity and uninhibited behaviour
confusion, delusion or hallucinations (seeing or feeling things that are not really there)
abnormal thinking (psychosis)
These may be serious side effects. You/your child may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you/your child notice anything that is making you/your child feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After taking VYVANSE
Storage
Keep the capsules in the bottle until it is time to take them.
Keep medicines where children cannot see or reach them.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres (1.5m) above the floor is a good place to store medicines.
Store VYVANSE in a cool dry place where the temperature is below 25°C. Keep the container tightly closed.
Do not store VYVANSE or any other medicines in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave medicines in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy medicines.
Disposal
Return any unused or out of date medicine to your pharmacist. Do not keep unused or expired VYVANSE as it can be abused or taken by someone else. Do not throw out with your household waste.
For more information about proper disposal of medicines, please contact the RUM Project (Return Unwanted Medicines):
Telephone 1300 650 835
Website: www.returnmed.com.au
It is illegal for anyone prescribed VYVANSE to sell or give it to other people.
Product description
What VYVANSE looks like
VYVANSE 20 mg capsule: ivory opaque body and ivory opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '20 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE 30 mg capsule: white opaque body and pink opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '30 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE 40 mg capsule: white opaque body and blue/green opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '40 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE 50 mg capsule: white opaque body and blue opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '50 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE 60 mg capsule: aqua blue opaque body and aqua blue opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '60 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE 70 mg capsule: blue opaque body and pink opaque cap, printed 'S489' and '70 mg' in black ink.
VYVANSE is supplied in bottles of 30 capsules, inside a cardboard box.
Ingredients
Active ingredient
The active ingredient is lisdexamfetamine dimesilate
Other ingredients
The inactive ingredients are: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. The capsule shells contain gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171) (all strengths) erythrosine (E127) (30 mg and 70 mg), brilliant blue (E133) (40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg and 70 mg), iron oxide yellow (20 mg and 40 mg), iron oxide black (40 mg) and TekPrint SW-9008 (all strengths).
