How To Manage & Reset Vyvanse Tolerance

Vyvanse tolerance, or reduced effectiveness caused by consistent use, can occur after taking the drug for an extended period of time. Vyvanse tolerance can be managed by reducing the dose. Stopping Vyvanse use at once may not be advised due to the possibility of withdrawal symptoms.

Vyvanse is an extended-release prescription medication that can be prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED). 

Its generic name is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, and Vyvanse belongs to the amphetamine class of stimulant drugs, a category of drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system (CNS).

Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high risk of drug abuse. Taking prescription drugs as directed by your healthcare provider, especially when tolerance develops, can help you avoid serious side effects.

Managing Vyvanse Tolerance

Drug tolerance for stimulant medications such as Vyvanse can develop during both short-term and long-term use of the drug.

Over time, the effects of Vyvanse on your dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters may lessen. How long it takes for tolerance to develop depends on your medical history, your regular dosage of Vyvanse, and whether you take other stimulant medications.

Taking higher doses of Vyvanse in response to tolerance can be harmful to your health. Your doctor may not advise you to take higher doses of Vyvanse when tolerance develops, and taking Vyvanse in higher doses than your baseline prescription can be a form of substance abuse.

Resetting Vyvanse Tolerance

If you develop Vyvanse tolerance, you may wish to talk to your doctor, who can help you determine a solution while still managing your BED, mental health, and ADHD symptoms.

Your doctor may suggest you take a drug holiday, or a planned period of time where you do not take Vyvanse. A drug holiday can maintain your sensitivity to Vyvanse and reduce side effects.

Your doctor may also consider prescribing a gradual dose reduction, going from a high dose to a low dose over time. This practice is also known as tapering. Tapering Vyvanse can be safer than taking a drug holiday and reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Risks Of Vyvanse Tolerance

The positive effects of Vyvanse may decrease in a tolerant individual. However, taking high doses to offset drug tolerance may cause negative effects to worsen. Patients may experience the following side effects on high doses of Vyvanse:

• loss of appetite
• sleeping problems
• weight loss
• stomach pain
• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure

High doses of Vyvanse can also lead to an amphetamine overdose. Amphetamine overdoses can cause life-threatening cardiovascular collapse. Symptoms of an amphetamine overdose may include chest pain and psychosis.

ADHD medications such as Vyvanse, Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta are habit-forming, especially when they are not taken as directed. To learn about our addiction treatment options, including prescription stimulant drug detox and behavioral therapy, please contact us today.