Mydayis: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, & More

What Is Mydayis?

Mydaysis is a brand-name medication that is a long-acting medication that contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine mixed salts. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts are central nervous system stimulants typically used to treat symptoms of ADHD. Adderall XR is another well-known brand version of long-acting dextroamphetamine and amphetamine mixed salts. However, Mydayis cannot be used interchangeably with Adderall XR because it has a different composition of amphetamines and has different ways in which they are metabolized by the body.

How Does Mydayis Work?

Amphetamines like Mydayis are stimulants that increase the release of body chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine within the central nervous system. They can also affect how these chemicals are absorbed and broken down in the body. By doing so, there is more dopamine and norepinephrine to excite the central nervous system.

What Is Mydayis Used to Treat?

Mydayis is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and teenagers who are 13 years of age and older.¹ This means that the FDA has studied and approved Mydayis for the treatment of ADHD and has concluded that the benefits of treatment with Mydayis for ADHD outweigh the risks associated with the medication.

Mydayis Dosages for FDA-Approved Treatment

Mydayis is FDA-approved for the treatment of ADHD in adults and teenagers who are 13 years of age and older. The appropriate dose for an individual can vary based on many complex personal and clinical factors. The starting dose for teenagers (13-17 years of age) is 12.5 mg once a day, with a maximum dose of 25 mg once a day.² The starting dose for adults is 12.5 mg once a day, with a maximum dose of 50 mg once a day. Taking more than 50 mg of Mydayis daily has been shown to have no additional clinical benefit.¹

A healthcare provider will help to determine the best dosage for you. They will likely use the lowest dose that effectively controls your symptoms.

Mydayis Forms & Strengths

Mydayis is an extended-release capsule. Dosing is usually started by a prescribing provider starting at 12.5 mg. If necessary, a prescriber can increase the dosage by 12.5 mg weekly under close monitoring. Upon ingestion, the effects of Mydayis can be felt within one hour for most people, but this can vary depending on the person.³

Mydayis is available as an extended-release capsule in the following strengths:

• 12.5 mg oral extended-release capsule
• 25 mg oral extended-release capsule
• 37.5 mg oral extended-release capsule
• 50 mg oral extended-release capsule

How Should I Take Mydayis?

Mydayis should be taken consistently with or without food every morning as prescribed. Since  Mydayis is an extended-release medication and is a stimulant, it should be taken as soon as possible after awakening. Taking a dose in the afternoon should be avoided to prevent the side effects of insomnia.

Mydayis can be swallowed as a whole capsule. Or, the capsule can be opened, and its contents can be stirred into food like applesauce or yogurt. If you are taking Mydayis in this way, eat all of the food mixed with your medication immediately. As always, take all of your medications exactly as prescribed for you. This is because your prescriber has come up with a formulation and method for treating your ADHD symptoms in a way they believe will be the most effective and safe for you specifically.

What Happens If I Miss a Dose of Mydayis?

Suddenly stopping Mydayis can cause significant fatigue and depression symptoms.¹ Excessive daytime sleepiness is another common withdrawal symptom. If you miss a dose of your Mydayis, do not take a dose later in the day or double your dose in an attempt to catch up. As it is a long-acting medication, doubling your Mydayis dose can have significant unintended side effects and may cause an overdose. A common adverse effect of taking Mydayis later in the day is insomnia, as Mydayis can last up to 16 hours.²

Can You Become Addicted to Mydayis?

As with any other stimulant medication, the FDA requires a boxed warning regarding the high addiction, abuse, and misuse potential of Mydayis. Mydayis can cause physical dependence to develop as withdrawal can produce extreme fatigue and mental depression. Assessment of the risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse by an individual for whom Mydayis is being considered must be completed by a clinician before prescribing the medication. Additionally, clinicians must monitor for signs of addiction, abuse, or misuse throughout treatment.

Can You Overdose on Mydayis?

As with any medication, too much of a good thing can be bad, even leading to death. It is possible to overdose on Mydayis by taking more than the prescribed dose or taking the medication in an inappropriate manner. Heart attacks, strokes, sudden cardiac death, mania, psychosis, and hallucinations have been reported with overdoses of stimulant medications such as Mydayis. Signs of overdose can vary from increased heart rate to uncontrollable headaches to extreme irritation, agitation, and restlessness.

What Should You Do If You Take Too Much Mydayis?

If you take too much Mydayis, you should seek medical care right away. If you cannot contact your medical provider, call 911 immediately. Additionally, you should call poison control for immediate advice as you are waiting for help to reach you after making the 911 call.

Mydayis Alternatives

If Mydayis does not work for you or it causes unmanageable side effects, you might need to consider another medication and speak to your prescribing provider. Alternatives to Mydayis in treating ADHD can include both stimulant medication and non-stimulant medication. Among the stimulant medications, there are long-acting medications such as Adderall XR and Vyvanse (for both of which the underlying formulation is dextroamphetamine and amphetamine mixed salts, similar to Mydayis) and short-acting medications such as Focalin and Ritalin. A common non-stimulant medication used to treat ADHD is atomoxetine (brand name Strattera).

Is Mydayis the Same As Adderall?

Although Mydayis and Adderall are both brand formations of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine mixed salts, they are not interchangeable. This is because Mydayis has a different composition of amphetamine salts and has a different metabolism compared to Adderall XR.

Adderall XR is a dual-release capsule, and Mydayis is a triple-release capsule. This means Mydayis is released three times during the day, compared to Adderall XR, which releases medication twice during the day. Due to the release mechanisms, the effects of Mydayis last longer than the effects of Adderall XR.

Side Effects of Mydayis

The side effects associated with Mydayis are similar to the side effects associated with many stimulant medications. The side effects can include abuse and dependence, heart-related problems (sudden death, stroke, heart attack), and psychiatric problems (psychosis, mania, worsening behavioral problems).¹ As an amphetamine medication, it can affect the mental capabilities of the individual taking it. It is important to avoid operating heavy machinery, driving, and other tasks that require significant mental alertness until you are familiar with how Mydayis affects you personally.

Common Side Effects of Mydayis

While common side effects typically do not require immediate medical attention, it is important that your primary care doctor and your prescribing physician are aware of the effects that your medications have on you. This includes the effects that Mydayis has on you. Once your doctors are aware of the effects (negative or not) of the medication on you, they can adjust the dose as needed or switch to a medication that might be a better match for you.

Common side effects of Mydayis include:¹

• Increased blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

*All medications, including Mydayis, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Serious Side Effects of Mydayis

Mydayis can cause some potentially serious side effects that require emergency medical care. This can include heart attacks, strokes, abnormal heart rhythms, and even sudden cardiac death. If signs of these serious side effects emerge, seek immediate medical care.

Serious side effects of Mydayis may include:¹

• Heart attacks
• Sudden cardiac death
• Significantly increased heart rate
• Significantly increased blood pressure
• Growth suppression
• New psychotic behavior
• New manic behavior
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Aggressive behavior
• Serotonin syndrome

*All medications, including Mydayis, can cause side effects which can be mild or serious. This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. You should talk with your doctor about any questions you have and to understand the potential side effects and benefits of any medication.

Allergic Reactions to Mydayis

Those who have had an allergic reaction to another stimulant should be extremely cautious when using Mydayis as this is an increased risk factor for having an allergic reaction to Mydayis. Severe allergic reactions that are life-threatening (including anaphylaxis and swelling of the airways) have been reported in the past with amphetamine use. Those who have had a previous allergic reaction to an amphetamine medication should not take Mydayis unless otherwise instructed by their healthcare provider.

Allergic reactions to Mydayis may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling like your airways are closing
• Itching
• Hives
• Coughing

If you or someone you know is experiencing an allergic reaction, you should seek immediate medical care by calling 911. In the meantime, taking antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin while you are still home might be helpful. If you are prescribed an Epi-pen and you feel like your airways are closing, this would be a good time to use your Epi-pen.

Mydayis Warnings & Precautions

Although Mydayis can be an effective medication to treat ADHD and manage its symptoms, it is not safe for everyone to use. If any symptoms suddenly develop soon after starting Mydayis, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate, seek immediate medical care. Afterward, you may call Poison Control for more guidance.

Precautions for taking Mydayis include:¹

• Risk of abuse and dependence: Mydayis has a boxed warning due to the risk of abuse and dependence.
• Health conditions affecting blood pressure: By its action on the central nervous system, stimulants can increase blood pressure. For those who already have high blood pressure and for those taking other medications that might increase the blood pressure, extra caution must be taken if taking Mydaysis. You should routinely monitor your blood pressure.
• Health conditions involving the heart: Stimulant medications like Mydayis can cause abnormal heart rhythms and heart rates. Because of this, stimulant medications are avoided in patients who already have any type of underlying heart condition. Maintain adequate follow-up regarding your heart health while taking this medication.
• Underlying mental health conditions: Underlying mental health conditions may worsen when taking stimulant medication. In addition, precautions should be taken to monitor for any signs of psychosis or mania when taking Mydayis. If such symptoms are noticed, get immediate medical attention.
• Seizures: Seizures occur due to overactive or otherwise abnormal electrical activity within the brain. As a stimulant medication, Mydayis can decrease the threshold a person would normally have to trigger seizure-like activity.
• Serotonin syndrome: Caution must be taken when stimulant medications like Mydayis are taken with another serotonergic agent such as an SSRI, SNRI, or a triptan – among many other serotonergic medications and supplements. This is because stimulant medications like Mydayis also increase the amount of serotonin available within the central nervous system.
• Disruption of the normal function of the blood vessels: Due to the stimulant effect, Mydayis can cause constriction (leading to narrowing) of the blood vessels, most specifically within your hands and feet. This effect is mostly noticed via a phenomenon known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, which people notice when their fingers and their toes become discolored and extremely cold.
• Growth suppression among adolescents who are still growing: When this medication is being given to those younger than the age of 17 years, it is important to monitor the height and weight of these children. A common effect seen among children taking stimulant medication is a decrease in their rate of growth (measured by height) on their growth charts. Stimulants are also known to suppress hunger, so discuss this risk with their doctor before considering Mydayis.
• Motor and verbal tics: Mydayis can cause motor and verbal tics as well as making Tourette’s syndrome worse. Tell your healthcare provider about any previous tics you or any of your family members have had.

Interactions With Mydayis

As with many medications, Mydayis interacts with many other medications and supplements. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your prescribing provider all the medications you take and the reasons why you are taking all of your current medications before your initial prescription. Follow up with all healthcare providers if you begin taking other medications after starting Mydayis.

Some of the substances you should avoid while taking Mydayis include:

• Antidepressants: Many antidepressants, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs, increase the level of serotonin within the central nervous system. Mydayis does this as well. Too much of an increase can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening if not managed appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Antipsychotic medication: Antipsychotic medications are used to treat and manage many conditions that are beyond the typically considered “psychosis,” sometimes even nausea. However, these medications can lower the seizure threshold. Mydayis can also lower the seizure threshold, meaning that the risk of a seizure occurring increases.
• Sympathomimetic medications: This includes other stimulant medications (such as Adderall or Ritalin), but it also includes epinephrine (which is used to treat anaphylaxis usually via an EpiPen). As a class of medications, sympathomimetic medications increase the stimulation of the central nervous system. This can lead to tremors, headaches, increased heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm, and increased blood pressure. Talk to your healthcare provider about safely using these medications with Mydayis.

Costs & Insurance Coverage

Because Mydayis is relatively new, there is no generic form of this medication available yet, and will not be for some time. Generally, brand-name medications are more expensive than the generic version. Without insurance or discounts, a 30-day supply of Mydayis can typically cost between $350 to a little over $400.^{5, 6} Additionally, your healthcare provider’s office might have additional resources about discount and savings programs for prescription medications, including Mydayis coupons.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Mydayis

When considering starting Mydayis for the management of your ADHD, discuss the pros and cons of this medication compared to other stimulant and non-stimulant medications used to treat ADHD with your PCP and your psychiatrist. Talk to your doctors about the risk of insomnia and other medication interactions.

Mydayis could possibly have with medications you might already be taking. If you are not able to see a psychiatrist or a physician who can manage your ADHD treatment in a timely fashion, seeking help from online psychiatry services may be a good option if you need to change prescribers.

Questions to ask your care team about Mydayis include:

• How long will it take for me to adjust to taking Mydayis?
• Am I at risk for more serious symptoms if I am already taking other anxiety /depression medications?
• What is the best dosage to ensure fewer side effects?
• When should I reach out to you if I am experiencing sexual side effects?
• Is there anything I should tell my therapist about this new medication?
• Will Mydayis interact with any of the medications I am already taking? If yes, how and what symptoms should I be looking out for?
• If I accidentally take Mydayis later in the morning or early noon, what are my chances of experiencing insomnia? How can I best avoid this while still managing my ADHD symptoms for that day with medications?
• How will taking Mydayis affect my already diagnosed medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, etc).
• Do you recommend ADHD medication (in general) for me at this time or should we start with non-pharmacological treatment options?
• Do you recommend stimulant medication for me or non-stimulant medication for me at this time?