Mixing Alcohol With Vyvanse: What Are The Dangers?
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a stimulant prescription medicine used primarily in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is only legally available as a prescription. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies Vyvanse as a controlled substance under Schedule II narcotics.
Schedule II narcotics are so classed due to the extreme probability of misuse or abuse leading to dependence and the risk for serious physical detriment increases if an individual mixes Vyvanse with alcohol.
If you’re worried about your alcohol consumption while taking Vyvanse or know someone who mixes these substances, there are substance use treatment options. Reach out to Zinnia Health online or call us at (855) 430-9439 to speak with a caring specialist. There is help and hope.
Vyvanse: What is It?
Vyvanse is available in chewables or capsules. Both forms are taken orally. The active ingredient in Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine, which is a stimulant substance in the same class of amphetamines as other medications used to treat ADHD and similar diagnoses. There is no generic version of Vyvanse.
Doctors prescribe stimulants for children and adults with ADHD, eating disorders, and narcolepsy. Vyvanse can be prescribed for an adult eating disorder known as BED, or binge eating disorder. This stimulant is not prescribed for children under 6 years of age.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved lisdexamfetamine for the treatment of obesity or weight loss, because other amphetamine prescription medications have been proven to cause critical heart problems in some patients.
Vyvanse Side Effects
Many substances, whether prescription or illicit, can cause mild, moderate, or acute unintended effects.
The side effects experienced vary from person to person and depend on certain factors, such as:
- Age
- Overall health
- Other prescription medications taken
- Non-prescription medications, such as vitamins or supplements taken
- The reason for the medication (BED, ADHD, etc.)
Your physician will go over Vyvanse side effects when prescribing this medication and may also suggest things you can do to help alleviate them. The most crucial aspect of taking ADHD medication in the amphetamine class is to understand the high potential for misuse that can lead to dependence.
While not an exhaustive list, some of the more common side effects of Vyvanse if misused include:
- Inability to sleep
- Faster heart rate
- Labored breathing
- Excessive sweating
- High blood pressure
- Increased agitation or hostility
- Thoughts of self-harm or harm to others
There are ways you can reduce the effects Vyvanse may present.
If you or someone you love is misusing Vyvanse or mixing this stimulant with alcohol, Zinnia Health can help. Call us at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about treatment programs. The road to recovery begins with that first step.
Mixing Alcohol and Vyvanse: The Dangers
ADHD medications are prescription stimulants. Though not all stimulants work exactly the same, many are in the amphetamine class of drugs. Vyvanse’s main ingredient, lisdexamfetamine, is time-released and taken just once daily.
Unlike Adderall, which is a blend of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, Vyvanse becomes dextroamphetamine after it’s taken. Dextroamphetamine:
- Acts on the central nervous system (CNS)
- Promotes the release of norepinephrine and dopamine
- Blocks the reuptake of these neurotransmitters
For patients suffering with ADHD, these neurotransmitters support a region in the brain that:
- Heightens attention to detail
- Increases alertness
- Supports careful observation
- Controls pleasure centers
- Promotes an overall sense of wellbeing
These are also the very qualities that increase its risk for misuse. Vyvanse’s capsule prevents typical types of prescription medication abuse, such as crushing, snorting, or smoking, but it’s still possible to abuse this drug by taking more than the prescribed dose or mixing it with other substances.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Vyvanse?
Mixing stimulants like Vyvanse with alcohol use affects people exactly the opposite as they think it will. Alcohol mixed with lisdexamfetamine has a canceling effect, in the sense that alcohol counters the effects of Vyvanse and vice versa, resulting in the person feeling as though they have to keep taking more of each substance to continue feeling its effects.
This is an incredibly dangerous misuse of these drugs, and can lead to various outcomes — including overdose and death.
Noticeable effects of this mixture include:
- Dry mouth
- Pupil dilation
- Dry nose
Moderate dangers of mixing alcohol and Vyvanse include:
- Hyperactivity
- Euphoria
- Forgetfulness
- Moodiness
- Confusion
- Paranoid delusions or other mental health problems
- Hallucinations
- Increased fatigue
- A propensity for riskier behaviors
Extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening effects of mixing Vyvanse with alcohol include:
- Stroke
- Chest pains
- Cardiovascular issues, such as heart attack
- Accelerated heart rate
- Potential seizures
- Intense fluctuations in blood pressure
There are treatment centers and therapy options for people suffering from alcohol addiction and Vyvanse abuse.
Treatment Options for Vyvanse and Alcohol Abuse
If you’ve been prescribed Vyvanse by your healthcare provider and you use it exactly as prescribed, you won’t typically develop an abuse problem. Prescription drugs used for the treatment of ADHD symptoms are more often misused by individuals who do not have a prescription and have otherwise obtained access to the capsules.
Abusing stimulants is dangerous, but drinking alcohol, a depressant, with a stimulant medication places you at a dramatically higher risk for serious, potentially life-threatening side effects, such as alcohol poisoning or worse.
This can cause dual addictions, also known as polysubstance abuse. When a person is addicted to more than one substance, both addictions must be treated at the same time for the best chances of recovery.
Zinnia Health Can Help
If you, a loved one, or a family member are struggling with alcohol abuse, Vyvanse abuse, or another substance abuse issue, there is hope at Zinnia Health. Our caring specialists are here to talk and offer information about treatment options and therapy solutions. Give us a call at (855) 430-9439 or reach out to us online.
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