*An off-label use of a medication is a use that is not FDA-approved. Prescribers can decide to use a medication off-label because, in their professional judgment, they believe it may offer a benefit to someone.
The most common withdrawal symptoms of Vyvanse include extreme fatigue and depression.1 Other withdrawal symptoms may also include irritability, lack of motivation, poor concentration, and body aches. Symptoms may be experienced for a few days or weeks.
It is important to discuss medication withdrawal risks with your prescriber. If you want to discuss your current prescription with a provider or are considering a prescription for Vyvanse, an online psychiatry platform such as Circle Medical can be a good place to start. This platform can and will offer assessments and prescription consultation for stimulant medications, which are controlled substances. Their providers can also discuss the risks of Vyvanse withdrawal and how to avoid it.
Boxed Warning: Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) – Risk of medication misuse or abuse
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, the active ingredient in Vyvanse, has a black box warning. These are the most serious types of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate has a risk of misuse (abuse) which can lead to dependence on the medication.
Vyvanse is a controlled substance, which means that it’s more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
What Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a stimulant medication that contains the active ingredient, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, and acts on dopamine and norepinephrine as a stimulant for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).1 The result is improved attention span and feelings of pleasure and reward. It is approved for use in children 6-12 years, adolescents 12-17 years old, and adults. Vyvanse is only available as the brand name medication.
What Is Vyvanse Withdrawal?
Vyvanse withdrawal can occur if you have physical dependence with Vyvanse. Physical dependence is not the same as addiction, which involves patterns of harmful behavior due to ongoing substance misuse. Physical dependence occurs when your body gets used to a medication and needs time to adjust to you not taking the medication. Vyvanse withdrawal can affect the whole body leading to extreme drowsiness and fatigue.2
Vyvanse Alternatives: Medications, Over the Counter, & Switching Your Prescription
Alternatives to Vyvanse include over-the-counter (OTC) supplements, therapy, and a healthy diet. Other options include exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding using other substances like alcohol or nicotine. You may also consider other prescription ADHD medications, such as stimulants and non-stimulants.
Factors Influencing Vyvanse Withdrawal
Factors that can influence Vyvanse withdrawal include the length of time you have taken Vyvanse, your dosage, how abruptly you stop the medication, your daily habits, having a social support network, and if you take other substances with it. You may want to consider changing some of your habits before you begin the process of quitting Vyvanse. You should talk with your doctor before stopping Vyvanse. They can help you to create a plan to taper off of the medication slowly and decrease your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Factors that influence Vyvanse withdrawal include:
- Length of time taken: Longer amounts of time on Vyvanse can make it harder to quit taking it, as your body has become used to operating with it.
- Dosage: Higher doses of Vyvanse can also make it harder to quit taking it.
- The method used to stop taking Vyvanse: With your doctor’s help, gradually decreasing (tapering) your dose can be easier than quitting cold turkey.
- Daily habits: Your daily habits, such as waiting for your medicine to kick in before starting to work, can make it harder to adjust to not taking it.
- Social support: Having social support can help you feel understood, keep you busy with fun activities, and keep your mind off symptoms.
- Other substances taken: If you have taken Vyvanse with other substances, such as alcohol, it can make it harder to get out of the habit of taking it.
What Is a Vyvanse Crash?
Some people taking Vyvanse have reported a Vyvanse “crash” is when the medicine starts to wear off and you get the opposite effects of stimulation. This was not reported in clinical trials but symptoms may include cravings for Vyvanse, fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, mood swings, shakiness, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms may also signal that you have a physical dependence on Vyvanse. You should talk with your doctor about any symptoms you experience while taking Vyvanse.
Causes of Vyvanse Withdrawal
Vyvanse withdrawal can occur when you stop taking Vyvanse and your body has a physical dependence on the medication. This can be made worse if you take Vyvanse with other medications or in ways other than it is prescribed to you. The withdrawal symptoms occur as your body is getting used to no longer having the medication.
Clinical trials showed that Vyvanse can have withdrawal symptoms if suddenly stopped or your dose is drastically reduced.2 Factors making it more likely to occur include larger doses, taking Vyvanse for longer periods of time, taking it with other substances, other health complications, and if you stay hydrated.
Preventing Vyvanse Withdrawal
You can prevent experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping Vyvanse by working with your doctor to create a plan to taper off of your medication slowly. Other habits that may help to limit withdrawal symptoms include eating healthy, getting exercise, doing activities that make you happy, avoiding other stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, avoiding depressants such as alcohol, and getting enough sleep…
Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
Common symptoms include extreme fatigue and depression. Other symptoms, such as poor concentration, headache, irritability, sweating, and increased appetite, are also possible.2 Rare symptoms include psychosis or suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Common Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
Common withdrawal symptoms can include extreme fatigue, depression, poor concentration, headache, irritability, sweating, and increased appetite.2 Withdrawal symptoms that are common are often mild and usually do not require medical attention. Side effects of withdrawal may last a few days or weeks. The difference between physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms is that physical symptoms affect your body while psychological symptoms affect your mood and thoughts.
Common Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms include:
- Decreased appetite
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
- Extreme fatigue
- Depression
- Vyvanse cravings
- Poor concentration
- Headache
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Shaking
- Strange dreams
- Body aches
Serious Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
Serious symptoms of withdrawal include depression, paranoia, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.2 Serious side effects are uncommon but may require immediate medical attention. The severity of symptoms can be worse if you abruptly stop taking your medication, are taking a higher dose, or have been taking Vyvanse for a long period of time. Withdrawal from Vyvanse is not fatal, but symptoms like depression can increase the risk of suicide.
Risk factors that might lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms include larger doses, taking Vyvanse for longer periods of time, and use of other substances such as barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines, prescription sleeping aids, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit substances. Other risk factors include other health complications and dehydration, as Vyvanse is eliminated in the urine.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms that may become serious include:
- Symptoms of depression
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Cravings for Vyvanse
- Mood swings
- Agitation
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) includes persistent impairments resulting from the cessation of alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms often include anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disturbances that last weeks or months. The exact causes of PAWS are unknown, but research suggests that increased tolerance may be a factor.
Vyvanse Crash Vs Withdrawal
The difference between a Vyvanse crash and a Vyvanse withdrawal is that a crash is a short-term response to the drug wearing off whereas withdrawal is the total elimination of the drug from the body. Differences in withdrawal and crash are the timing and severity of the symptoms.
Crash symptoms are milder and occur when the dose starts wearing off the same day it was taken. Withdrawal symptoms are harder to manage and start occurring a day or two later. Similarities and reasons they may be mistaken for each other include that their symptoms are similar.
A doctor will probably not try to put you back on Vyvanse if the symptoms are too intense. Instead, they may switch ADHD medications to ones with fewer withdrawal symptoms. The process for discontinuing Vyvanse is for your doctor to gradually decrease your dose over time. The process could take a few weeks, depending on your dose.
Discontinuation of Vyvanse After Long-Term Treatment
Discontinuation after using Vyvanse for a long time can take a while and may require some patience and perseverance. Your doctor will work with you to develop a plan to slowly stop taking your medication. During the process, you can use self-help methods to try and make symptoms more tolerable. Long-term use of Vyvanse can intensify symptoms compared to short-term use.
Discontinuation of Vyvanse While Pregnant
Concerns for discontinuing ADHD medication during pregnancy are similar to ones when not pregnant. You may experience withdrawal symptoms during discontinuation. It is not known if Vyvanse is safe to take during pregnancy. You should talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking Vyvanse.
Vyvanse Withdrawal Timeline
You can expect crash symptoms to occur about 12 hours after taking Vyvanse, and withdrawal symptoms about a day after a person stops taking the medication. The time it takes to experience symptoms is based on the drug’s half-life. Half-life is the time it takes for half of the drug’s concentration to be reduced in the plasma from elimination. Vyvanse’s half-life is about 12 hours.4 Adderall has a similar half-life, while Concerta’s is about 3.5 hours.5,6
Withdrawal symptoms begin to occur about 1-2 days after the last dose. Acute symptoms may include irritability and lack of motivation.2 They may also include extreme fatigue, depression, increased appetite, and cravings for Vyvanse. From 5 days to about 2 weeks, you may also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), such as irritability, insomnia, mood swings, and aches.
How to Cope With Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
Using self-care strategies and healthy coping mechanisms can help minimize withdrawal symptoms. While going through withdrawal may be challenging, there are many ways to get through the process with support.
8 strategies to help relieve symptoms of Vyvanse withdrawal include:
- Prioritizing sleep: The impact of sleep on mental health can be really helpful for your mood. Getting adequate sleep can help fight depression, irritability, and mood swings from withdrawal.
- Exercising regularly: The mental health benefits of exercise can also be really impactful. Regular activity may be helpful during withdrawal by also enhancing your mood and giving you energy.
- Eating healthy foods: Eating well is also great for your mental health. It can make you feel satisfied, accomplished, and give you energy.
- Avoiding other stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine: Stimulants can increase the amount of time it takes for your body to adjust without Vyvanse since Vyvanse is also a stimulant.
- Avoiding depressants such as alcohol: Depressants also affect your brain’s chemistry and can make it harder for you to adjust.
- Gradually reducing your dose: Only your prescriber can adjust your dosage. Do not attempt to do this on your own. A gradual decrease in your dose can help your brain adjust to the chemical changes that are taking place.
- Speaking with a therapist: Speaking with a therapist can help your address emotions and thoughts while experiencing withdrawal symptoms. They can also provide encouragement and support as you cope with them.
- Attending online support groups: Online support groups are another way to receive encouragement and you don’t have to attend a group specific for drug withdrawal. Online groups may also be more accessible than in-person groups.
Questions to Ask Your Health Team About Vyvanse Withdrawal
Before stopping Vyvanse, you may want to ask your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist about the symptoms you may encounter. You may also want to ask how likely it is to experience them and what others have done in the past. Have a hotline number ready or call 911 in the case of an emergency.
Questions to ask your care team about Vyvanse withdrawal include:
- Why do you think I should stop this medication?
- Should I stop taking Vyvanse all at once or over some time?
- What are the risks of stopping Vyvanse?
- When could I start feeling withdrawal symptoms?
- What should I do if something feels off during my withdrawal process?
- Would starting a new medication help limit the withdrawal symptoms?
- Could my ADHD symptoms get worse after I stopped taking Vyvanse?
- How can I limit the symptoms I experience?
- Should I tell my friends and family what I’m going through?
- What should I do if I experience symptoms while at work?
- When should I expect to start feeling better?
Vyvanse Withdrawal Treatment
Treatment for Vyvanse withdrawal should only be done under the medical supervision of a primary physician or psychiatrist. Treatment includes gradual dose reduction and may include supportive medications to help you through your symptoms. Also, online psychiatry services are available if you need to find a provider. Finding a therapist to work with may also help.
When to Seek Professional Help for Vyvanse Withdrawal
If you think you are having withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug use, you should talk to your doctor. If you are having serious symptoms, such as depression, paranoia, psychosis, mood swings, agitation, or cravings, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately. You may want to seek professional help if you have tried many coping mechanisms for a few weeks and withdrawal symptoms are still negatively impacting your life. If you have feelings of suicide or extreme depression, you should call 9-1-1 or seek emergency treatment at the nearest hospital.
In My Experience
In my experience, patients may have mild symptoms that last a few days. Symptoms include fatigue and lack of motivation. However, symptoms improve within a few days and even more so over a few weeks. The best way to prevent symptoms is to follow your doctor’s dose-decrease schedule.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, ChoosingTherapy.com has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. ChoosingTherapy.com is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Online Psychiatry
Circle Medical – ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment. Affordable and accessible ADHD evaluations and treatment, including possible controlled substances medication if clinically appropriate. Diagnosis and prescription over video. Insurance accepted. Same & next day appointments available. Visit Circle Medical
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Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.
