Comments on: Vyvanse: New Treatment for ADHD http://www.askdrjones.com/blog/vyvanse-new-treatment-for-adhd/ Ask Dr. Jones Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:48:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michelle http://www.askdrjones.com/blog/vyvanse-new-treatment-for-adhd/#comment-35167 Michelle Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:40:19 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2007/07/16/vyvanse-new-treatment-for-adhd/#comment-35167 I, too have taken both. I was diagnosed in college and started taking Adderall. Every doctor I've had has tried to switch me to Adderall XR, and each time I've tried it again at varying dosages with no success. I found that with XR, the medication would "run out" at around 5 hours and then I'd spend the rest of my day in a fog. On my most recent doctor change, I was switched to Vyvanse. I found that I would have a severe episode of gastrointestinal upset in the morning after taking my morning dose. I stayed on the medication and increased the dose several times after finding that it, too, would "run out." We tried splitting the dose in half (take 1 part in the morning, 1 in the afternoon), and adding an additional faster acting stimulant tablet towards the end of the day, but all with no success. The bottom line for me was that after almost a year on Vyvanse, I was falling behind at work, showing up late, and my personal life was spiraling out of control. It did nothing for my distractability, which is why I'm taking medication in the first place. I recently switched back to Adderall. When I first started taking meds for my ADD I discovered that much of the frustration I had experienced in my childhood and teen years had come from me being very type A, but not capable of acting on it. As such, I much prefer to have control over my medication. Sometimes I need more, sometimes I need less. I know how long it will last and when it is wearing off. I know when I need to take it in order for it to be active when I need it. Having a sense of control is key for me, and Vyvanse couldn't provide that in any dose (ranging from 40 - 100). I've been told by numerous doctors that Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and the like are "all the same", but I can tell you that for me, even different manufacturers make a difference. God forbid Barr ever stops producing those little orange generic Adderalls. The pink pills (theoretically the exact same medication) don't work and have awful side effects. I'm glad to see more choices on the market, but I hope that doctors and pharmaceutical companies continue to allow for personal differences. I, too have taken both. I was diagnosed in college and started taking Adderall. Every doctor I’ve had has tried to switch me to Adderall XR, and each time I’ve tried it again at varying dosages with no success. I found that with XR, the medication would “run out” at around 5 hours and then I’d spend the rest of my day in a fog. On my most recent doctor change, I was switched to Vyvanse. I found that I would have a severe episode of gastrointestinal upset in the morning after taking my morning dose. I stayed on the medication and increased the dose several times after finding that it, too, would “run out.” We tried splitting the dose in half (take 1 part in the morning, 1 in the afternoon), and adding an additional faster acting stimulant tablet towards the end of the day, but all with no success. The bottom line for me was that after almost a year on Vyvanse, I was falling behind at work, showing up late, and my personal life was spiraling out of control. It did nothing for my distractability, which is why I’m taking medication in the first place.

I recently switched back to Adderall. When I first started taking meds for my ADD I discovered that much of the frustration I had experienced in my childhood and teen years had come from me being very type A, but not capable of acting on it. As such, I much prefer to have control over my medication. Sometimes I need more, sometimes I need less. I know how long it will last and when it is wearing off. I know when I need to take it in order for it to be active when I need it. Having a sense of control is key for me, and Vyvanse couldn’t provide that in any dose (ranging from 40 – 100). I’ve been told by numerous doctors that Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and the like are “all the same”, but I can tell you that for me, even different manufacturers make a difference. God forbid Barr ever stops producing those little orange generic Adderalls. The pink pills (theoretically the exact same medication) don’t work and have awful side effects. I’m glad to see more choices on the market, but I hope that doctors and pharmaceutical companies continue to allow for personal differences.

]]> By: Max Dunlap http://www.askdrjones.com/blog/vyvanse-new-treatment-for-adhd/#comment-10437 Max Dunlap Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:59:22 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2007/07/16/vyvanse-new-treatment-for-adhd/#comment-10437 I've noticed subtle but noticeable differences between the two medications. They seem to begin working at roughly the same time when taken with a small mean 30-40 minutes, however Adderall seems to have a little shorter running-time as compared to Vyvanse. About 5 or 6 hours for me with a 50mg dosage of Vyvanse. The concentration effect is a bit different, Adderall feels like it just has that 'no nonsense one dimensional JUST NEED TO STUDY kind of feel' - Vyvanse tends to be a little more inward, I tend to concentrate more on my own thoughts, I feel I need to prioritize the things I want to do... because I get so many new ideas. As for the physical effects, Vyvanse defiantly give more dry mouth and sometimes I will experience a mild upset stomach that makes my stomach feel like its more acidic, because of the drug. Contrary to your findings, I've noticed that in comparison to Adderall, Vyvanse gives less of an appetite digression... I am able to eat normally. Muscle tension and mild jaw clenching are evident, but are expected with any sort of stimulant (IE Coffee). Lastly, the 'come-down' of Vyvanse is much MUCH better, I would feel a bit empty and anxious when Adderall was wearing off - especially after taking larger doses, with Vyvanse I've experienced virtually no negative comedown feelings, after normal usage. One complaint or warning I have about these drugs, is... despite the 'pro-drug' efforts Shire has taken. These stimulants are very easy to abuse, and its very easy to start counter-productive bad habits as well as well as develop an over dependence on the drug. Like saying "I don't need to do any of my work now because I'll take my meds and get it all done at the last minute" this drastically changes your schedule, because you are taking the drug at different times and not prioritizing things appropriately, because you feel you can do it all, it becomes VERY easy to give in to your distractions and focus completely on them, instead of the task at hand. It is the duty of the psychiatrist to explain proper usage and scheduling to the patient. I’ve noticed subtle but noticeable differences between the two medications. They seem to begin working at roughly the same time when taken with a small mean 30-40 minutes, however Adderall seems to have a little shorter running-time as compared to Vyvanse. About 5 or 6 hours for me with a 50mg dosage of Vyvanse. The concentration effect is a bit different, Adderall feels like it just has that ‘no nonsense one dimensional JUST NEED TO STUDY kind of feel’ – Vyvanse tends to be a little more inward, I tend to concentrate more on my own thoughts, I feel I need to prioritize the things I want to do… because I get so many new ideas. As for the physical effects, Vyvanse defiantly give more dry mouth and sometimes I will experience a mild upset stomach that makes my stomach feel like its more acidic, because of the drug. Contrary to your findings, I’ve noticed that in comparison to Adderall, Vyvanse gives less of an appetite digression… I am able to eat normally. Muscle tension and mild jaw clenching are evident, but are expected with any sort of stimulant (IE Coffee). Lastly, the ‘come-down’ of Vyvanse is much MUCH better, I would feel a bit empty and anxious when Adderall was wearing off – especially after taking larger doses, with Vyvanse I’ve experienced virtually no negative comedown feelings, after normal usage. One complaint or warning I have about these drugs, is… despite the ‘pro-drug’ efforts Shire has taken. These stimulants are very easy to abuse, and its very easy to start counter-productive bad habits as well as well as develop an over dependence on the drug. Like saying “I don’t need to do any of my work now because I’ll take my meds and get it all done at the last minute” this drastically changes your schedule, because you are taking the drug at different times and not prioritizing things appropriately, because you feel you can do it all, it becomes VERY easy to give in to your distractions and focus completely on them, instead of the task at hand. It is the duty of the psychiatrist to explain proper usage and scheduling to the patient.

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