Can You Overdose on Vyvanse?
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Can You Overdose on Vyvanse?
Yes, you can overdose on Vyvanse. An overdose can occur if you misuse the drug. It’s also possible even if you’re using the drug to treat ADHD or BED with a prescription.
You can also misuse Vyvanse if you’re overusing it or using it without a prescription. Symptoms of a Vyvanse overdose include:
- Increased heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Increased sweating
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
- Low appetite
- Tremors
- Flushed skin
- Aggression
- Poor coordination
- Abdominal pain
Signs of Vyvanse Overdose
Overdosing on Vyvanse can be deadly. Substance use of any kind puts someone at risk of overdose, even if the medication is considered safe when used appropriately.
If you suspect you or someone you know has overdosed on Vyvanse, seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. Some symptoms of a Vyvanse overdose are similar to those of misuse and include:
- Confusion
- Combativeness
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- High fever
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Overactive reflexes
- Rapid breathing
- Arrhythmia
- Reduced or elevated blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Convulsions
- Coma
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Risk Factors for Vyvanse Overdose
Anyone using or misusing Vyvanse is at risk of overdosing. However, this risk is elevated under certain circumstances.
For example, there is a higher risk of overdose for people who:
- Have a history or family history of drug abuse or addiction
- Ingest Vyvanse by chewing, snorting, or injecting the drug
- Have used the drug long-term and have developed a tolerance to it
- Develop depression or fatigue when they stop using the drug
- Combine Vyvanse with other drugs, including amphetamines and antidepressants such as alcohol
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Side Effects of Vyvanse Overdose
Vyvanse overdose causes a variety of serious side effects, including: Blurred vision, Hyperthermia, Loss of consciousness, Muscle cramps, Overactive reflexes, Seizures, Stroke, Heart attack, Coma, Death.
- Blurred vision
- Hyperthermia
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle cramps
- Overactive reflexes
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Coma
- Death
Overdosing on Vyvanse can lead to long-term problems with kidney and liver health. It may also cause cognitive problems.
What to Do if You Overdose on Vyvanse
If you suspect you or someone you know has overdosed on Vyvanse, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call 911 or poison control or take the person to the emergency room.
Familiarize yourself with Vyvanse overdose symptoms and what to do in case of an overdose. You should also understand the symptoms of serotonin syndrome, a condition closely linked to Vyvanse use.
Staying calm during an overdose event is important, especially if you’re having one. Vyvanse is a stimulant that causes an increase in breathing and heart rate. Panicking will only worsen your condition.
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Treatment for Vyvanse Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know has overdosed on Vyvanse. Treatment for an overdose is based on the specific symptoms someone is experiencing. These include:
- Administration of fluids
- Activated charcoal to decrease absorption of the drug
- Benzodiazepines for seizure control and/or sedation
- Physical restraints if someone poses a danger to self or others
- Treatment of breathing problems, seizures, trauma, and heart problems
You can survive a Vyvanse overdose, but medical attention is essential. If you mix Vyvanse with other drugs, your chances of survival decrease.
Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
Following an overdose, consider addiction treatment. Checking yourself into a treatment facility can also help you manage uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nervousness
- Intense cravings
It’s also common for people who have recently overdosed on Vyvanse to experience problems with sleep and appetite. Stopping use can increase appetite and cause severe fatigue. Ideally, a treatment program will address all of these concerns.
When to Seek Treatment for Vyvanse Addiction
Seek addiction treatment after the critical phase of an overdose passes. However, you might want to seek treatment if you notice signs of addiction.
Many people don’t realize that ADHD medication can put them at risk for addiction. Even if you’re following a prescription, it’s still possible to get addicted to Vyvanse.
Treatment Options for Vyvanse Addiction
Treatment options for Vyvanse addiction include:
- Inpatient treatment: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision
- Outpatient treatment: A treatment program where people are allowed to leave the rehab facility
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction
- Dual-diagnosis treatment: A treatment program that treats underlying mental health issues alongside addiction
- Support groups: Provide a much-needed community to help maintain sobriety after treatment
- 12-step programs: A support group designed to guide you through the recovery process and maintain sobriety
Treating a co-occurring mental illness is important when dealing with Vyvanse abuse. Doctors must also treat binge eating disorders or help someone find ways to manage their ADHD symptoms without Vyvanse.
How to Prevent Vyvanse Overdose
There are various ways to reduce and even prevent the risk of a Vyvanse overdose. For example:
- Only use the drug with a prescription
- Take only the prescribed dosage
- Inform your physician about any other medications (over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription) you are taking
- Never combine the drug with other drugs, especially stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and Ritalin
- Avoid alcohol
Consider speaking to your doctor about any problems you have with the drug. This is especially important if you want to take more than the prescribed dosage.
What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a medication that treats attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe binge eating disorder (BED). It is a prescription stimulant with a high risk for misuse and addiction. Because of this, it’s classified as a schedule II substance.
Like all stimulants, Vyvanse increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine reinforces pleasurable behaviors, and norepinephrine raises the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
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- PubChem. “Lisdexamfetamine.” Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Mayo Clinic. “Prescription Drug Abuse – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018.
- “Highlights of Prescribing Information.” FDA.
- “Prescription Stimulants.” Drugabuse.gov, 6 June 2018.
- “NIMH» Eating Disorders.” www.nimh.nih.gov.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Data and Statistics about ADHD.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Sept. 2018.
