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lisdexamfetamine

Sold as Vyvanse, Arynta. Class: Centrally acting sympathomimetics. First FDA approval 02/23/2007: 19 years on the US market.

This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.

C

Score breakdown (64/100)

Safety ×35%
F
Evidence ×25%
D
Regulatory ×15%
B
Money & lawsuits ×15%
A
Options ×10%
A

Safety: 40

Evidence: 52

Regulatory history: 81

Money & lawsuits: 100

Options: 100

FDA boxed warning

WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION VYVANSE has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including VYVANSE, can result in overdose and death [see Overdosage (10) ] , and this risk is increased with higher doses or unapproved methods of administration, such as snorting or injection. Before prescribing VYVANSE, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. Educate patients and their families about these risks, proper storage of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug. Throughout VYVANSE treatment, reassess each patient's risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction and frequently monitor for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse, and addiction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2) ] . WARNING: ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. VYVANSE has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, including addiction. Misuse and abuse of CNS stimulants, including VYVANSE, can result in overdose and death ( 5.1 , 9.2 , 10 ): ...

What the FDA label says

Approved uses

® is indicated for the treatment of: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . VYVANSE is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant indicated for the treatment of ( 1 ): Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older Moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults Limitations of Use : The use of VYVANSE is not recommended in pediatric patients younger than 6 years of age because they had higher plasma exposure and a higher incidence of adverse reactions (e.g., weight loss) than patients 6 years and older at the same dosage ( 5.5 , 8.4 ) VYVANSE is not indicated for weight loss. Use of other sympathomimetic drugs for weight loss has been associated with serious cardiovascular adverse events. The safety and effectiveness of VYVANSE for the treatment of obesity have not been established ( 5.2 ) Limitations of Use: The use of VYVANSE is not recommended in pediatric patients younger than 6 years of age because they had higher plasma exposure and a high...

Contraindications

is contraindicated in patients with: Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products or other ingredients of VYVANSE. Anaphylactic reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, angioedema, and urticaria have been observed in postmarketing reports [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or within 14 days of stopping MAOIs (including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue), because of an increased risk of hypertensive crisis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) and Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products or other ingredients in VYVANSE ( 4 ) Use with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, or within 14 days of the last MAO inhibitor dose ( 4 , 7.1 )

Warnings and precautions

Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease: Avoid use in patients with known structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac disease ( 5.2 ) Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: Monitor blood pressure and pulse. ( 5.3 ) Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: Prior to initiating VYVANSE, screen patients for risk factors for developing a manic episode. If new psychotic or manic symptoms occur, consider discontinuing VYVANSE. ( 5.4 ) Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients: Closely monitor growth (height and weight) in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may need to have their treatment interrupted. ( 5.5 ) Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon: Careful observation for digital changes is necessary during VYVANSE treatment. Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for patients who develop signs or symptoms of peripheral vasculopathy. ( 5.6 ) Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans), but also during overdosage situati...

Adverse reactions (label)

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Known hypersensitivity to amphetamine products or other ingredients of VYVANSE [see Contraindications (4) ] Hypertensive Crisis When Used Concomitantly with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7.1) ] Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , and Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.2 , 9.3) ] Risks to Patients with Serious Cardiac Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Long-Term Suppression of Growth in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Peripheral Vasculopathy, including Raynaud's phenomenon [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Motor and Verbal Tics, and Worsening of Tourette's Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and at a rate at least twice placebo) in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, and/or adults with ADHD were anore...

Recent major label changes

Indications and Usage ( 1 ) 09/2025 Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) 09/2025

Source: FDA SPL label for Vyvanse (Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.), effective 20260430. Full label on DailyMed.

Side-effect reports sent to the FDA

These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.

30,967reports that mention this drug
30,871of those blame this drug, not another one the person was taking
44%of reports describe a serious outcome, such as a hospital stay (average for all drugs: 57%)
1.3%of reports include a death, from any cause (average for all drugs: 9.1%)

Problems reported most often

Drug Ineffective · 4,618Fatigue · 2,033Anxiety · 1,832Headache · 1,699Off Label Use · 1,635Product Availability Issue · 1,602Nausea · 1,498Product Use Issue · 1,372Depression · 1,300Feeling Abnormal · 1,268Insomnia · 1,230Intentional Overdose · 1,201No Adverse Event · 1,157Intentional Self-Injury · 1,154Disturbance In Attention · 1,148

Reports per year

20192020202120222023202420252026
2,0652,1351,9402,5743,2893,5683,1771,529

20,049 reports blaming this drug for every million Medicare prescriptions filled, which is 7.2× the typical drug on this site. (8,219 reports in 2024–2026, against 409,947 Medicare fills in one year. This is the one number here that accounts for how many people take the drug.)

Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.

Recalls and regulatory record

9recall actions on file
3 / 22brand / generic applications
11label changes since 2021
NoREMS program
DateClassFirmReason
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
10/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 12-month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH) for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate capsules.
06/2025Class IISUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INCFailed Dissolution Specifications: An out of specification results observed in dissolution test during analysis at 9 month long term stability station (25¿C, 60%RH).
09/2016Class IIIShirePresence of Foreign Tablets/Capsules

Class I = reasonable probability of serious harm. Class II = temporary or reversible harm. Class III = unlikely to harm. Most generic recalls are manufacturing or labeling defects for one lot, not a verdict on the molecule.

Evidence base

101randomized trials (PubMed)
13systematic reviews
126registered trials
81%of completed trials posted results
16%terminated or withdrawn
67%industry-funded

Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Money and lawsuits

In 2024, drug companies reported $0 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 0 transactions.

No pending federal MDL names this drug or its brands.

Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.

Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.

Who takes it and what it costs

87,492Medicare Part D patients (2024)
409,947prescriptions filled
$325average cost per fill
$133Mtotal Medicare spend
ProductFills$/fill
Vyvanse212,410$418
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate197,537$225

Same-class alternatives

amphetaminearmodafinilfenethyllinefenozolonemethamphetaminemodafinilpemolinesolriamfetol

Same ATC pharmacological class, graded ones first, best grade at the top. Being in the same class does not make them interchangeable for your condition; it makes them worth asking about.

Questions to ask your prescriber

  1. This drug carries a boxed warning. Which specific risk does it cover, and does it apply to me?
  2. This is a controlled substance. What is the plan for how long I take it and how I stop?
  3. The most-reported problems in FDA's adverse event data are fatigue, anxiety, headache. How would we recognize and handle those?
  4. Off-label use is among the most-reported items for this drug. Is my use on-label, and if not, what evidence supports it?
  5. Why this one over amphetamine, armodafinil, atomoxetine? What would make you pick one of those instead?
  6. What result are we expecting, by when, and what is the plan if it does not happen?
  7. If 100 people like me took this drug, how many would actually get better because of it, and how many would be harmed by it? (Doctors call these the number needed to treat and the number needed to harm.)