Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

March 23, 2008 3:42 PM

[AdultADHDMedicineFilter] What to do about Vyvanse-induced mood swings?

I'm a high-functioning 26-year-old recently diagnosed with ADHD. A couple weeks ago I started taking 30 mg Vyvanse (children's dose). It's been great for my concentration, but I'm starting to notice other effects too.

In that time, I've found myself becoming extremely emotionally reactive and argumentative. I've also experience a terrible case of dry mouth-- my tongue literally is big enough for me to chew.

I've started limiting my dose to half a capsule (15 mg) a day, but it takes a lot of time to open the cap, consume half the contents, then screw it back together. I've contacted my therapist and am seeing him tomorrow to figure this out.

Has anyone else had similar experiences, and if so, how do you handle this? Is this just part and parcel with the medicine?

posted by mynameismandab to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Best answer: I can't answer your question, but I thought you might be interested in this article about a web site called "PatientsLikeMe" that was in the NY Times magazine today.
posted by mingshan at 5:08 PM on March 23, 2008

Irritability and dry mouth are expected effects of this medication. You should discuss them with the physician who prescribed it, not your therapist (unless they are the same person.)
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:13 AM on March 24, 2008

Response by poster: Wait...
I've contacted my therapist and am seeing him tomorrow to figure this out.

Therapist should be replaced with Psychiatrist... whoops.

Thanks, ikky.

Epilogue: My MD took me off the Vyvanse and replaced it with Strattera. Here's hoping this medicine will be a better fit.

Thanks, everybody.
posted by mynameismandab at 12:43 PM on March 24, 2008

Have you considered adderal xr? It's four different types of amphetamine with an extended release component. So it tends to give a very steady dose throughout the day. I'm surprised that wasn't the first choice.
posted by gjc at 8:54 PM on March 24, 2008

Best answer: IANAD, but as a 32 year-old with ADHD, I feel for you.

I've never tried Vyvanse, but it seems to be the newest drug. Strattera is a few years old now, but I must say that word of mouth among adult users hasn't been very good. Besides, Strattera is not a direct acting medication, like amphetamines, but a reuptake inhibitor, like Prozac. It is a bit odd that your psychiatrist didn't try you on one of the old reliable meds, like dexadrine or adderall or even Ritalin. Unless you have a history of substance abuse.

I take Adderall XR, and it helps me immensely, but my psych's other adult patients mostly prefer the immediate release (and generic) version. Including my mother :}
posted by monopas at 9:47 PM on March 24, 2008