Some Vyvanse warnings and precautions to be aware of include:
Sudden death has been reported in children and adolescents with heart problems who took normal doses of medications similar to Vyvanse. If your child has heart problems, discuss whether Vyvanse is appropriate in your situation. Also, let your healthcare provider know if your child develops any chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting.
Sudden death, strokes, and heart attacks have also been reported in adults taking normal doses of medications similar to Vyvanse. This seems to occur more often in adults with heart problems. If you have heart problems, discuss whether Vyvanse is appropriate in your situation. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop any chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting.
Stimulants (including Vyvanse) are often abused. Taking high doses of Vyvanse for long periods of time can lead to dependence. Because Vyvanse is so commonly abused, there are special rules for prescribing it (see Vyvanse: A Controlled Substance for more information).
In people with psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder), Vyvanse can make psychotic symptoms (such as thought disorders and behavior problems) worse. Also, Vyvanse can make bipolar symptoms worse, especially manic symptoms.
Vyvanse can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. In most cases, the increase is small and does not cause problems. However, there is an increased risk for people who already have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or who have recently had a heart attack.
Vyvanse can temporarily slow down the growth rate in children. This slowing of growth is usually small (less than an inch and less than two pounds), and children usually catch up to within normal limits in time.
Vyvanse can cause aggressive behavior in people with ADHD. Let your healthcare provider know of any increased aggressive behavior.
Vyvanse can increase the risk of seizures, especially in people who have had seizures before. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking Vyvanse if you have a history of seizures.
Vyvanse can cause blurred vision and other vision problems.
Vyvanse is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that Vyvanse may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider before using Vyvanse during pregnancy (see Vyvanse and Pregnancy for more information).
Amphetamines (such as Vyvanse) pass through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start brestfeeding, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about this (see Vyvanse and Breastfeeding for more information).
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