Vyvanse side effects | ADHD Information

How about dropping the Vyvanse to the lowest dose until you ramp the Strattera. Strattera takes 4-6 weeks after reaching target dose for optimum results. We saw results within two weeks and then it just kept getting better, then actually levelled off some and now we've been stable with symptom relief for a while. We do not see any side effects from it, she eats well, and symptoms are helped, not gone, but reduced.

My son is 13 and just diagnosed with ADHD. He was put on Vyvanse 30mg, then 60mg, then 70mg. We went back down to 60mg, 70 made him into a zombie. He has been on this for about 2 months. The good about it is good, but the bad is bad. He is a totally different kid. He went from not caring, and d's & f's to a's & b's. He is focused, but too focused. He has developed some OCD issues. He starts something and can't put it down, he can't stop himself. Yesterday when I picked him up from school, he was folding a piece of paper, which he continued to do for hours. I finally took it away so he would do something else. He can't stop himself. He also has trouble sleeping. He can't fall asleep, it has gotton better the longer he has been on it. He doesn't eat during the day. He eats breakfast and then maybe something little for supper. He has lost 10 lbs and is 5'2 and weighs under 90 lbs. I am very concerned, about the sleep, eating, and OCD issues. However his moods are better, he is more patient, he isn't as angry, he has less outbursts. The Doctors next move is to put him on Stratera. But has told me that it can take 4 - 6 weeks to start working. I would love any feedback anyone can give me on these side effects.

I just heard back from the Doctor and they want him to go back down to the 30 mg and see if that works. If it is to low then we can always try 50 mg or Stratera.

Thank you both for your comments they have helped! It is great to get feed back on all of this. I don't feel like I am the only one going through it and clueless. Thanks and have a great weekend. I will keep you posted on how things are going.

Yes, it is common for kids to be on both meds at the same time, and even continue both. Just make sure the Strat is ramped, and dosed according to weight. At 90 lbs his target is between 48-72 mgs.

I would be concenrned with the not sleeping at all, definetely hold off on the energy drinks, too much caffeine there.

Maybe Vyvanse is not the right med for him, and a trial of another would be a good idea?

We use Strattera. The pros are, for us, no side effects. she takes 60mg in the a.m. and is the same age and weight as your son. She got dizzy at 72. We used to split the dose and I actually felt she did a bit better that waym, but right now she's taking 60 mg in the mornings. So much less anxiety, another big pro. Eats normally.

The only con is that we see more symptoms, but for us the stimulant side effects for outweighed their benefit, so this is what we're going to live with for now. We are making some major changes to my daughter educational plan so holpefully that will help.

Good luck!

Thank you for your comments.

Will the Doctors allow him to be on both Vyvanse and Strattera for 2-4 weeks? I have already thought about trying to lower the dose to 30mg to see if that will change anything for him. Maybe make the OCD issues better. Do either of you or anyone else have 1st had experience on Strattera? All I know about it is that he can take it at bedtime, and it won't effect his sleeping. I am not sure about the appetite. If you know any good or bad things about it please let me know.

I can't seem to get him to eat a big meal anytime, except when he doesn't take the medication. Then he eats like crazy. Here is what happened last night. I didn't get home until 6:30 which is unusual. Because I was so late and I am so worried about him. I stopped at McDonalds and picked him up a double cheese burger and fries. He was busy doing ????? when I got home. He was messing with him bike, and tools. I kept reminding him to eat. When I went to bed at 9:30 he hadn't eaten it yet. I checked on him at 6:15 this morning and he hadn't slept all night. The night before he had slept maybe 3 hrs. This is very unusual. It hasn't been this bad. I think we have figured it out. He said he drank and energy drink yesterday. It was like he was on drugs. He was explaning his feelings and thoughts and actions of the day. He said his eyes were yellow, and he heard buzzing noises. I was really concerend. Then we realized he drank the energy drink.

Please don't let you kids drink these while on these pills. From what he was telling me, it was like he was high.

So all night long he was in his room, with no TV, Video Games, or anything like that. He just messed with his tools and bike all night long. He said he tried to sleep but couldn't. I do have a call into the clinic today to see what the doctor thinks we should do. If I knew that the OCD issues would go away I would feel better. It is effecting him at school. Please help with any info you have if you can.

Thanks!!

Vyvanse also comes in 50mg doses, you might consider that if it's working so well for him.

My daughter is on 70mg and doesn't eat during the day either, but eats a huge breakfast and dinner. We pushed dinner back to 6:30pm and that helps her have a bigger appetite.

She is also exhibiting OCD behaviors-but also did on concerta. Tearing paper, sorting beads or legos, pouring water from one bucket to another, etc... but those symptoms come and go and don't dominate her behavior. They seem to be more self soothing than anything else.

Her insomnia got better after a few months on the med and then only resurfaces occassinally.

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Hello,

I took Straterra and Vyvance initially and had serious side effects myself from both. Straterra made me feel crazy right away. I was unable to function. I do not hear much of this, but I was very scared of how I felt on it. I then switched to vyvance. At first, it was amazing. As time went on though, I became very self aware of the things that I said. Ultimately, I stopped talking altogether for fear of embarrasment. It also made me concentrate, overly. I would focus so hard that I was not able to know what was going on around me. Very scary with children. Finally, I was put on both adderall xr and adderall. The XR works amazing, the reg wears off so fast I feel the need to take more. Because of that I had to stop taking it and take XR twice a day. This has worked great for me since starting school again.

I would suggest keeping a close eye on your son, I was unaware of how the med was affecting me, until I stopped taking it. In my mind, everything felt right (even though it wasn't). I wish you luck finding something that works for him.