Vyvanse and heart problems.. | ADHD Information

I wanted to share with others who have children on this medicine what has happened to mine. My dd has been on Vyvanse for 2 years. We began when she was 6 and right now she is 8. At this year's evaulation, I asked her doctor to do an echocardiogram. He said it was not needed. This was a developmental pediatrian from Children's Hospital. I told him I would feel better if we had this done even though there were no problems with her or the medicine. The echocardogram reveal that she has a long qt interval in her heartbeat and she is now scheduled to see a cardiologist in 8 days. I called Shire, the manufacturer of Vyvanse and they acknowledge to me that in the trial studies this heart condition did develop in "some" children. In some cases, stopping the medicine caused the heart to return to it's normal rhytm. In other cases, the qt interval did not go away and was a permanent condition of the child. My child's information was being forwarded to FDA.   

I wrote on this board about how much Vyvanse has helped my child in school. It has. She has great grades and focus. She could not tolerate Ritalin or Adderal and was only on them for a few days prior to Vyvance. I thought it was a God send. Now I might be regretting those words.   

Please if anyone is considering this or have their child on it, consider having an echocardiogram done. It is not something that is usually recommended so you might have to push for it, but it was the only thing that showed there is a problem with her heart.   Oh my lord! Thank you for posting this! I will be sure to push for one at my son's next doctor appt, even if I have to pay out of pocket. Are you going to switch to a different med, or take her off of them all together? I hope she is alright!!! (((hugs)))
She has an appointment with a cardiologist this Friday to know more. I was told to keep her on her medicine until then. If a small group of children experienced this with their trial runs, as Shire has told me, how come a EKG is not required? Her developemental ped. really did seem surprised that she had this. He is calling it a borderline QT interval. I will know more Friday.   

If she can not take any ADHD medicine, then, most likely, she will not be able to stay in her private school where she has been since K. She is now in 3rd grade. This will tear apart her little world.    

I hope the condition is only temporary and there's no permanent damage.

Is this an issue only for Vyvanse or for all stimulants?  My child had an EKG done before starting stimulants, but hasn't had one since.  He's only taken methylphenidates (at first Focalin XR, and now Metadate CD for the past couple of years).

[QUOTE=AMom2Two]  
If she can not take any ADHD medicine, then, most likely, she will not be able to stay in her private school where she has been since K. She is now in 3rd grade. This will tear apart her little world.    [/QUOTE]

I hear you there! My son has done so well with Vyvanse and now with the addition of Intuniv. If I had to take him off meds, I would have to home school. But your baby's health must be first. Sending prayers to you!
Vyvanse definitely caused an prolonged qt interval in my dd heart.   I took her off the meds for the summer and had another EKG. Thankfully it showed no prolonged qt interval while not on this medicine.

I don't think my daughter can take any of the medicines now because they all have a rist to the heart.

Please get EKG's done on your children if they are on this medicine. My dd was on this for 3 years before her doctor agreed to an EKG. AMom2Two40374.4761805556