Lisdexamfetamine Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Lisdexamfetamine Capsule is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 and older, as well as moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults. It works by affecting brain and nerve chemicals linked to hyperactivity and impulse control. It is taken once daily in the morning and must be used exactly as prescribed, since it carries risks of misuse, dependence, and several serious side effects.

What is Lisdexamfetamine Capsule

Lisdexamfetamine is a central nervous system stimulant medicine, available under the generic names lisdexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It belongs to the CNS stimulant (ADHD agent) drug class. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Lisdexamfetamine Capsule uses

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children 6 years and older
• Moderate to severe binge eating disorder in adults

Benefits of Lisdexamfetamine Capsule

• Helps improve attention and concentration in ADHD
• Can reduce impulsivity
• Can reduce hyperactivity
• May improve completion of everyday tasks when ADHD symptoms are adequately controlled
• Is also approved for moderate-to-severe binge-eating disorder in adults

How Lisdexamfetamine Capsule works

Lisdexamfetamine is a stimulant. In ADHD it can help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity, and in binge eating disorder it can help reduce how often someone overeats. The exact way it works in the body is not fully known. After it is taken, the body converts it into a related substance that acts on the central nervous system.

Lisdexamfetamine Capsule dosage

Take this medicine once a day in the morning. Avoid taking it in the afternoon, because taking it later in the day can make it harder to sleep at night. Capsules can be swallowed whole, or with or without food. Do not split, crush, chew, or divide the capsule, and do not try to take less than a full capsule.

If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you can open it and mix the contents with yogurt, water, or orange juice, and take the mixture right away rather than saving it for later. If a chewable tablet form is used instead, it must be chewed completely before swallowing and should not be swallowed whole.

Do not take this medicine unless it has been prescribed to you, and take it exactly as prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same condition.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but avoid taking it late in the day since this can make it harder to sleep; do not take a double or extra dose to make up for a missed one.

People age 65 and older may be at greater risk for some side effects, so talk with your healthcare provider about this if it applies to you.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral capsules
• Chewable tablets

Side effects of Lisdexamfetamine Capsule

Common

• Decreased or loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anxiety or irritability
• Diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fast heart rate or feeling jittery

Serious

• Signs of misuse, abuse, or dependence
• Increased blood pressure and fast heart rate
• Severely high blood pressure (sudden severe headache, chest pain, confusion, trouble breathing)
• Very fast heart beat (racing heart, chest pain, lightheadedness, shortness of breath)
• Psychosis or mania (hallucinations, racing thoughts, reckless behavior, extreme mood changes)
• Slowed growth in children (height and weight)
• Circulation problems such as Raynaud's syndrome (cold, numb, painful, or discolored fingers/toes, unexplained wounds)
• New or worsening tics or Tourette's syndrome
• Serotonin syndrome (fever, agitation, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching or stiffness, seizures)
• Severe allergic reactions (swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, trouble breathing, hives)
• Heart problems including chest pain, trouble breathing, pounding heartbeats, or passing out
• New or worsening seizures

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can be misused or lead to dependence, which can cause serious harm including overdose and death. Take it only as prescribed and never share it with others.
• Stimulant medicines like this one have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.
• Do not use this medicine if you have taken a certain type of antidepressant or Parkinson's medicine called an MAO inhibitor within the last two weeks, as this can cause a dangerous interaction.
• This medicine can cause or worsen mental health symptoms such as psychosis or an extremely elevated mood (mania), even in people who have never had these symptoms before.
• This medicine can slow a child's growth in height and weight, so regular growth checks are needed during treatment.
• Stopping this medicine suddenly after long-term, high-dose use should be avoided because of risks of severe depression and fatigue; talk to your specialist before reducing or stopping.
• This medicine may harm an unborn baby. It can increase the risk of premature birth and other complications, and babies may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are or might become pregnant.
• Do not take this medicine while breastfeeding, because it can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing baby.
• People with severe kidney problems need a lower maximum dose, so tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
• Caution is needed in people with liver problems because there isn't enough data on how the medicine affects them.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may make some side effects worse.
• This medicine can affect your thinking and reactions, so be careful driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert. It is also subject to drug driving laws, so make sure you are not impaired before driving.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for shorter periods, such as when transporting it.
• Store in a cool, dry, and safe place like a locked cabinet, in a tightly closed container.
• Protect it from light.
• Keep out of reach of children, and store securely because this medicine can be misused or stolen.
• To dispose of it, bring it to a medicine take-back program at an authorized site such as a pharmacy or police station.
• If no take-back program is available, mix it with a nontoxic and unattractive substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds, place it in a sealed container like a plastic bag, and throw it away in household trash.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing.
• Call your doctor or get medical help right away for signs of heart problems like chest pain, trouble breathing, pounding or fluttering heartbeats, or feeling like you might pass out.
• Seek help right away for signs of psychosis, such as hallucinations, new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, or paranoia.
• Seek help right away for signs of circulation problems, such as numbness, pain, cold feeling, unexplained wounds, or color changes in your fingers or toes.
• Seek medical attention right away if you notice symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away, since an overdose can be fatal.
• Stop the medicine and get an urgent medical referral if problems with brain blood flow, new or worsening seizures, or serotonin syndrome are suspected.

Alternatives

• Atomoxetine
• Guanfacine
• Clonidine