- Symptoms and Signs of Vyvanse Overdose
- Causes of Vyvanse Overdose
- When to get Help
- How to Avoid an Overdose
- Treatment for Vyvanse Overdose
- Recovering from Vyvanse Overdose
Vyvanse Overdose Symptoms and Dangers
Vyvanse is a prescription amphetamine medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Vyvanse overdose is possible, and the signs will vary depending on how much was taken and if it was taken in combination with other drugs.

Symptoms and Signs of Vyvanse Overdose
Typical signs of Vyvanse overdose:
- Restlessness.
- Tremors.
- Fever.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
Other side effects of Vyvanse overdose include:
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Rapid breathing.
- Irregular heartbeat.
An overdose can also lead to irritability and aggressiveness along with paranoia,or unusual thoughts or behavior.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects of a Vyvanse overdose include:
- Hyperthermia.
- Blurred vision.
- Muscle cramps.
- Overactive reflexes.
- Pounding in your ears.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Seizures.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Coma.
- Death.
Causes of Vyvanse Overdose
Because of its stimulant properties, Vyvanse is a drug that can be abused, so if you have a history or family history of addiction you may be at an increased risk of abusing it.
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Unapproved ways of ingesting Vyvanse, such as chewing, snorting or injecting it, may change your body's reaction to it.
As tolerance builds, more of the drug needs to be taken to achieve the same effect, which places you at risk for taking too much of it.
If you experience a period of depression or fatigue when you stop taking Vyvanse, this may put you at risk for taking too much of the medication to feel better.
Serotonin syndrome may be responsible for producing symptoms of Vyvanse overdose and presents itself within hours of taking a new medication or excessively increasing the dose of a medication.
It is possible that combining Vyvanse with certain antidepressants may increase your risk of serotonin syndrome.
Combining Vyvanse with other medications may affect the way Vyvanse is absorbed in the body, and it may increase the symptoms of one or both of the medications.
Drinking alcohol while taking Vyvanse may result in toxic ingested quantities of both.
Drinking alcohol while taking Vyvanse is risky as the respective, opposing stimulant and depressive qualities of each substance counter the perceived effects of each other, potentially resulting in toxic ingested quantities of both.
Using an amphetamine such as Vyvanse is becoming increasingly popular among those who abuse opiates like prescription painkillers and heroin.
When to get Help
Even though you may be prescribed Vyvanse to treat a diagnosed condition, you still may be at risk for overdose.
Vyvanse is not prescribed to treat anyone under the age of 6 so if you suspect a child under this age has taken this medication, call 911 right away.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the signs of Vyvanse overdose, call poison control at 1-877-222-1222 for guidance and advice for treatment.
You may need to call paramedics if you are unable to get to an emergency room.
How to Avoid an Overdose
- Only take Vyvanse with a prescription.
- Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
- Let your prescribing physician know about any other medications you are taking.
- Do not combine Vyvanse with other central nervous system stimulants, such as:
- Cocaine.
- Methamphetamine.
- Other prescription drugs (e.g., Ritalin).
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Vyvanse as there is an increased risk of liver damage.
- Alcohol also increases the cardiovascular effects of Vyvanse.
Please call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? to speak with a treatment support professional who can help you explore Vyvanse addiction treatment options.
Treatment for Vyvanse Overdose
There is limited research for effective Vyvanse overdose treatments but emergency room treatments will focus on treating the overdose similar to the way they would treat an amphetamine overdose.
- Benzodiazepine administration:
- To lower the risk of seizure.
- Stomach pumping:
- May be conducted to prevent more absorption of the drug, if the overdose occurred recently.
- Supportive care:
- Receiving intravenous (IV) fluids.
- Heart and lung monitoring.
- Medication to reduce the chance of hypertensive emergency, such as:
- Beta blockers.
- Nitrates.
- Other antihypertensive medication.
- Cold bath:
- May be necessary where hyperthermia presents itself during overdose.
Recovering from Vyvanse Overdose
Symptoms of withdrawal may present after a Vyvanse overdose.
These can include:
- Severe headaches.
- Agitation.
- Nervousness.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Intense craving for the drug.
Symptoms of depression or severe mood swings may also be common following overdose.
Because Vyvanse is a stimulant that can cause wakefulness and suppress appetite, stopping Vyvanse can lead to severe fatigue and an increase in appetite.
Successful recovery from a stimulant overdose should ideally serve as the impetus to seek treatment for substance abuse as well as any mental health treatment attention that may be warranted.
If you are concerned that you or a loved one is suffering from Vyvanse dependency, call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? to speak with an experienced support professional about Vyvanse addiction treatment options.
- Akingbola, O.A. & Singh, D. (2012). Dexmedetomidine to treat lisdexamfetamine overdose and serotonin toxidrome in a 6-year-old girl. American Journal of Critical Care, 21(6), 456-459.
- Hejazi, N. (2012). Pediatric Focused Safety Review: Vyvanse. U.S. Food and Drug Administration retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Advisory
- Committees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/PediatricAdvisoryCommittee/UCM319371.pdf