Mixing Vyvanse & Lamictal | Effects & Risks

Mixing two prescription drugs together always has potential for risks, and mixing Vyvanse and Lamictal is no different. When the two drugs are combined, the mixture can intensify the side effects of Vyvanse.

Beyond intensified side effects, mixing Vyvanse and Lamictal can also lead to an increased risk of certain drug interactions, overdose, and addiction.

Lamictal

Lamictal is the brand name for the drug lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant most often used to prevent and control seizures. 

It can also be used  as a mood stabilizer to prevent extreme mood swings from bipolar disorder and other mental health/mood disorders. 

Lamotrigine can also be used for treatment-resistant depression when antidepressant meds aren’t working. Whatever the use, it works by decreasing the activity in the central nervous system.

Vyvanse

Vyvanse is the brand name for the central nervous system stimulant lisdexamfetamine and is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and binge eating disorder. 

Vyvanse works by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. It’s this increase that helps treat ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Effects Of Mixing Vyvanse & Lamictal

Mixing Vyvanse and Lamictal doesn’t have too many negative interactions but it can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse. This means that you have a greater chance of experiencing side effects from Vyvanse use and that the effects can be more intense. 

Some of the side effects that may be intensified by this combination include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• vomiting
• upset stomach 
• dry mouth
• constipation
• diarrhea
• nausea
• weight loss
• loss of coordination
• blurred vision
• difficulty speaking
• loss of appetite
• back or joint pain
• shaking of a part of the body

Risks Of Mixing Vyvanse & Lamictal

Besides the effects that can come when mixing Vyvanse and Lamictal, there are also several risks when combining the two. This includes overdose, addiction, and the adverse reactions that can occur when you mix the two drugs with other medications.

Drug Interactions

The combination of Vyvanse and Lamictal primarily leads to an increase in the intensity of the side effects of Vyvanse. But there are also other drugs that shouldn’t be mixed with these two medications as they can also lead to serious reactions.

Some of the medications that shouldn’t be combined with Vyvanse include:

• other stimulant medications like amphetamine, benzphetamine, and methamphetamine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), and methylene blue
• certain nutritional supplements
• acetazolamide (Diamox)
• ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
• lithium
• other ADHD medications like Adderall, Dexedrine, Concerta, Strattera, and Ritalin
• sodium bicarbonate
• sodium phosphate

Some of the drugs that shouldn’t be mixed with Lamictal include:

• nutritional supplements
• atazanavir with ritonavir (Reyataz with Norvir)
• lopinavir with ritonavir (Kaletra)
• methotrexate (Rasuvo)
• other medications for seizures like carbamazepine (Epitol), oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR), phenobarbital (Luminal), and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• procainamide
• quinidine
• antipsychotic meds like Abilify and Seroquel
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• trimethoprim (Primsol and Septra)
• hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, or intrauterine devices
• hormone replacement therapy medications
  

Contraindications

There are also a number of medical conditions that Vyvanse and Lamictal can make worse. Whether you’re taking them together or separately, make sure your healthcare provider knows all the health issues you have before they prescribe any new medications

The medical conditions that may not work with Vyvanse include:

• irregular heartbeat
• heart attack
• high blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat
• hardening of arteries
• depression
• bipolar disorder
• mania/hypomania
• motor or verbal tics
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Raynaud’s disease
• glaucoma
• hyperthyroidism

Medical conditions that can worsen with Lamictal use include:

• autoimmune diseases such as lupus
• blood disorder
• depression
• heart failure
• irregular heart rhythm
• kidney or liver disease

Overdose

The risk of overdose when you mix two drugs is also significant. This is especially the case with Lamictal and Vyvanse because Lamictal increases the intensity of the side effects of Vyvanse. 

If you take both in high enough quantities, an overdose is likely. And, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Some of the signs and symptoms of an overdose include:

• loss of coordination
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of consciousness
• restlessness
• confusion
• hallucinations
• fast breathing
• fever
• muscle weakness
• depression
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• seizures
• coma
  

Addiction

While Lamictal is not classified as a controlled substance, Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance. Because of this, mixing the two drugs can lead to addiction. 

This is especially the case if you abuse the drugs or take high doses over a long period of time. Abuse can quickly turn into dependence and addiction.

FAQ

What Happens If You Mix Lamictal & Vyvanse?

When you mix Lamictal and Vyvanse, it increases the intensity of the side effects of Vyvanse which could lead to some serious issues.

If you or a loved one are struggling with stimulant and/or anticonvulsant abuse, Ark Behavioral Health is here to help. We have a full staff of clinicians as well as many addiction treatment options including detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and aftercare support.

For more information, please call our helpline today.