Although ADHD (Attention-Defficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is usually diagnosed during childhood, there is a possibility for a person to develop symptoms of the disease regardless of age. In a nutshell, ADHD can be described as a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, as well as impulsivity that will hinder everyday functioning.
The ADHD patient can have difficulty sustaining his attention. Even if he finds a conversation or task interesting, he can have difficulties in maintaining focus on them. Thoughts or unrelated stimuli might easily distract ADHD patients.
Another common symptom for ADHD patients is that these people will often make careless mistakes. They lack attention to detail, which is why they will have frequent errors at work or school.
Adderall and Vyvanse are two medications that are used for the treatment of ADHD, and it’s time to find out if it’s okay to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse, thanks to NiceRx.com.
First of all, let’s learn a few basic info about each of the two medications!
Vyvanse: What is it?
Vyvanse was manufactured by Shire PLC, and it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s the brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which is a derivative of amphetamine.
Vyvanse belongs to the Central Nervous System stimulants class of drugs, and it’s used to treat ADHD for those over the age of 6 years old and binge eating disorder.
Adderall: What is it?
Adderall is available in two formulations: either Adderall IR (immediate-release), which is short-acting and Adderall XR (extended-release) for long-acting.
Adderall IR is used for treating ADHD for those over the age of 6 years old and Narcolepsy.
Adderall contains four different types of amphetamine salts: dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate, amphetamine aspartate, and dextroamphetamine sulfate.
When is it recommended to switch to Vyvanse from Adderall?
There are a few situations when it’s recommended to switch from Adderall to Vyvanse. Behold:
- Taking Adderall two times per day is not convenient, and taking Vyvanse one time during a whole day is better in your case.
- You cannot use Adderall even though you’ve been diagnosed with binge eating disorder. Switching to Vyvanse becomes the remaining option to treat both binge eating disorder and ADHD.
- When Adderall doesn’t provide symptom control over the course of 24 hours and the use of Vyvanse is more appropriate as it can act longer.
What are the possible side effects?
There are plenty of side effects that could occur for either the use of Adderall or Vyvanse in the case of those who suffer from ADHD. The most common ones are the following:
- Anorexia
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Motor tics (meaning repeated movements of the muscles)
- Decreased weight
- Constipation
- Upper abdominal pain
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Increased heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
In rare cases, both Adderall and Vyvanse are able to trigger more serious side effects. Here are a few examples:
- Sudden death was reported with CNS stimulant treatment for recommended doses in pediatric patients who had structural heart defects or other serious problems regarding the heart.
- Sudden death, heart attacks, and stroke
- Circulation problems, such as changes in skin color and a cold feeling that includes Raynaud’s phenomenon.
- Psychosis or the worsening of the condition
- Bipolar disorders
- Mental health issues
- Growth suppression
- Serious cardiovascular reactions, such as pain in the chest
- High blood pressure
- Serotonin syndrome
- Heart rate increase
- Withdrawal symptoms in case you’ve stopped using the medication: sleep issues, severe tiredness, and mood changes.
- Severe allergic reactions such as shortness of breath and hives.
In the end, we all must keep in mind that switching medications must be done only under your doctor’s medical guidance.
