This drug has boxed warnings, the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of misuse. Like other stimulants, Vyvanse has a risk of misuse. (With misuse, a medication is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) Misusing stimulants, such as Vyvanse, can lead to addiction. It’s important to only take Vyvanse as prescribed by your doctor, and to not share your medication with anyone else. For more information, see “ Vyvanse: Misuse” section below.
Risk of dependence. Like other stimulants, taking Vyvanse may lead to physical dependence. (With dependence, your body needs a drug in order to function like usual.) Due to this risk, you shouldn’t stop taking Vyvanse without first talking with your doctor. For more information, see “ Vyvanse: Withdrawal and dependence” section below.
Vyvanse is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug lisdexamfetamine. It belongs to a class of drugs called stimulants. Vyvanse is not available in a generic form.
This medication has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and older.
Vyvanse is also prescribed to treat moderate or severe binge eating disorder in adults.
Vyvanse is available as follows.
- Forms:
- oral capsules
- chewable tablets
- Strengths:
- 10 milligrams (mg)
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
- 40 mg
- 50 mg
- 60 mg
- 70 mg*
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Vyvanse’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Vyvanse, view this article.
* This strength is only available in oral capsules.
Dosage summary
For details about the drug’s dosage, see the “Vyvanse: Dosage” section below. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Vyvanse that’s right for your condition.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Vyvanse, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Vyvanse. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Always follow the dosage of Vyvanse that your doctor prescribes.
Commonly recommended dosages for Vyvanse are shown below.
You should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
Vyvanse’s forms and strengths
Vyvanse is available as oral capsules. It also comes as chewable tablets.
Vyvanse is available in the following strengths:
- 10 milligrams (mg)
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
- 40 mg
- 50 mg
- 60 mg
- 70 mg*
* This strength is only available in oral capsules.
Typical recommended dosages for adults
Usually, doctors will prescribe a low dosage of Vyvanse at the start of treatment. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time if needed. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Vyvanse that gives the desired effect.
The table below provides information about common Vyvanse dosages, including the dosage for binge eating disorder.
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
| attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | 30 mg once per day in the morning | 30 mg to 70 mg once per day in the morning | 70 mg once per day in the morning |
| binge eating disorder | 30 mg once per day in the morning | 50 mg to 70 mg once per day in the morning | 70 mg once per day in the morning |
Children’s dosage
Vyvanse is approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older. The dosages for treating ADHD in children are the same as the dosages for treating ADHD in adults. Below is an overview of Vyvanse’s recommended dosages for ADHD in children.
- Starting dosage: 30 mg once per day in the morning
- Maintenance dosage: 30 mg to 70 mg once per day in the morning
- Maximum dosage: 70 mg once per day in the morning
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Vyvanse as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Vyvanse’s dosage.
Are Vyvanse dosages for adults determined by weight? Is there a Vyvanse dosage chart by weight?
No. Vyvanse dosages for adults aren’t determined by weight. There’s no Vyvanse dosage chart by weight.
To learn more about Vyvanse dosages for adults, see the “Vyvanse: Dosage” section above. You can also check out this site from the drug’s manufacturer, or view the drug’s full prescribing information.
Is Vyvanse prescribed for adults in 100-mg doses?
No, Vyvanse isn’t prescribed for adults in 100 milligrams (mg) doses.
The maximum recommended Vyvanse dose in adults is 70 mg. This is the maximum dose for treating either attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or binge eating disorder in adults. Clinical studies of Vyvanse didn’t look at a 100 mg dose for treating ADHD or binge eating disorder.
To learn more about Vyvanse dosages for adults, see the “Vyvanse: Dosage” section above. You can also check out this site from the drug’s manufacturer, or view the drug’s full prescribing information.
Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions about your Vyvanse dose.
What’s the maximum dose of Vyvanse you can take in 24 hours?
The maximum recommended dose of Vyvanse over 24 hours is 70 mg.
Remember, Vyvanse should only be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you feel Vyvanse isn’t working well to manage your symptoms, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether other treatments may be a better option for you.
Is there a highest dose and lowest dose of Vyvanse?
The highest recommended Vyvanse dose is 70 mg. The lowest dose of Vyvanse recommended is 30 mg. Vyvanse is typically taken once per day in the morning.
The highest and lowest doses of Vyvanse are the same when the drug is used to treat ADHD or binge eating disorder.
If you have questions about your dose of Vyvanse, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the dosage for Vyvanse. These factors include:
- your age
- the condition you’re taking Vyvanse to treat
- the severity of your condition
- other medications you take
Your prescribed dosage may also vary based on other medical conditions you have.
Recommended adjustments in dosage
Your doctor may limit your maximum Vyvanse dose if you have severe kidney problems, such as severe chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Your doctor may also adjust your Vyvanse dose if you take certain other medications. An example is the heartburn drug sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Taking these medications together could increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse. As such, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Vyvanse if you take it with sodium bicarbonate.
For more information about recommended adjustments to your Vyvanse dose, talk with your doctor.
Vyvanse comes as oral capsules or chewable tablets. You’ll take it by mouth.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you take Vyvanse in the morning. It’s important to take your Vyvanse dose in the morning (or upon first waking up for the day). If Vyvanse is taken too late in the day, it may affect your ability to sleep and cause insomnia.
If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to take this form of medication. Also, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about taking your medication.
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If it’s difficult for you to open medication bottles, ask your pharmacist if they can dispense Vyvanse in an easy-open container. They also may recommend ways to help make it easier to open the bottles.
If you miss a dose of Vyvanse, try to take it as soon as you remember. However, keep in mind that taking Vyvanse in the afternoon, evening, or close to bedtime can cause insomnia.
Because of this, it may be best to simply skip your missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time the next day. If you have questions about whether you should skip a missed dose, talk with your doctor.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
Vyvanse has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Vyvanse is a type of medication called a stimulant. Like other stimulant medications, Vyvanse has a risk of being misused. (With misuse, a medication is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) Misusing Vyvanse or other stimulants can lead to addiction.
Because of this risk, it’s important to talk with your doctor about any history of alcohol or substance use disorder you may have. It’s also important to only take Vyvanse as prescribed by your doctor and to not share your medication with anyone else.
Vyvanse has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Like other stimulant medications, taking Vyvanse may result in physical dependence. (With dependence, your body needs a drug in order to function like usual.)
Abruptly stopping Vyvanse treatment may cause withdrawal symptoms, including depression and extreme fatigue. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)
Because of this risk, you shouldn’t stop taking Vyvanse without first talking with your doctor. If you and your doctor agree that you’ll stop taking Vyvanse, your doctor can slowly lower your dose over time. This can help prevent the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
If you take more than the recommended dosage of Vyvanse, serious effects can occur. Do not take more Vyvanse than your doctor prescribes.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms that an overdose of Vyvanse could cause include:
- restlessness
- tremors
- confusion
- rapid breathing
- hallucinations
- fatigue
- depression
- heart arrhythmia
- high or low blood pressure
- nausea and vomiting
- seizures
- coma
What to do in case of overdose
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Alternatively, go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Vyvanse’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Vyvanse that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Vyvanse dosage without a recommendation from your doctor.
In addition to discussing Vyvanse with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more:
- Overview of Vyvanse. For comprehensive details on Vyvanse, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Vyvanse compares with Adderall and Adderall XR, read this article. For a detailed comparison of Vyvanse and Concerta, see this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Vyvanse, view this article.
- Details about conditions Vyvanse is used to treat. To learn more about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), see this article. To read about binge eating disorder, see this article. Vyvanse is used to treat both of these conditions.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
