It’s also approved to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Vyvanse is available as an orally administered (taken by mouth) capsule and a chewable tablet.
Generally, Vyvanse takes about 90 minutes to two hours to begin working.
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However, it may take up to an hour longer if you take the medication with food.
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What Is Vyvanse?
How It Works
The active ingredient in Vyvanse islisdexamfetamine, which is a prodrug of dextroamphetamine.
Norepinephrine is a stimulant.
Increasing norepinephrine levels in your brain helps improve your concentration and reduce impulsive behavior.
Dopamine helps regulate your mood, movements, and how you experience pleasure and pain.
Scientists believe that binge-eating disorder may be associated with an imbalance of dopamine in your brain.
Vyvanse can help restore this balance.
How Long Does Vyvanse Take to Start Working?
This can include improved focus and attention and decreased fidgeting and impulsive behavior.
The effects of Vyvanse typically last for about 12 to 14 hours.
Taking Vyvanse with food may delay the time it takes for your body to completely absorb the drug.
This may also affect how long it takes for Vyvanse to start working.
However, it should not affect how well Vyvanse works to improve your symptoms.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Vyvanse is approved to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
How Quickly Does the Body Absorb Vyvanse?
Vyvanse chewable tablets take about 4.5 hours to be completely absorbed when taken on an empty stomach.
Do I Need to Take Vyvanse Every Day?
Vyvanse is typically taken once daily in the morning for ADHD or binge-eating disorder.
Taking Vyvanse regularly every day helps the medication effectively manage your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe a Vyvanse dosage that’s specific to your condition.
This is often called a treatment holiday or a “drug holiday.”
They may also do this to help relieve side effects you may have from Vyvanse.
How Does Vyvanse Compare to Other Medications?
Vyvanse is one of several stimulant drugs that treat ADHD.
Examples of other ADHD medications include Concerta (methylphenidate ER) and Adderall XR (mixed amphetamine salts).
The effects of all three medications last throughout the day.
However, they vary in terms of how quickly each begins to work and how long its effects last.
Adderall XR starts working about 30 minutes to one hour after you take a dose.
Similarly, Concerta takes about one hour to begin working.
Vyvanse may take a bit longer.
Feeling the effects Vyvanse typically takes about 90 minutes to two hours after taking a dose.
The effects of Vyvanse last about 12 to 14 hours.
You may not notice that Vyvanse is working right away.
Signs that the medication is working may appear gradually.
They may adjust the dosage or recommend a different treatment.
Generally, it takes about 90 minutes to two hours for Vyvanse to start working.
When taking Vyvanse to treat ADHD, it generally starts working faster in children compared with adults.
The signs that Vyvanse is working may not be obvious at first.
Gradually, you should be able to notice improvements in attention, focus, and impulsive behavior.
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MedlinePlus.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Ibrahim K, Donyai P.Drug holidays from ADHD medication: International experience over the past four decades.J Atten Disord.
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