Lisdexamfetamine and Anger: What Users Say

• Ran...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2020

For ADHD "I take Vyvanse for ADHD and Binge Eating Disorder. I began taking 50 mg Vyvanse in August 2016, and currently take the same amount. Over a span of about 2 years, I lost 70 pounds and got into the best shape of my life. I had great eating habits. I was sociable and doing great. I got everything done in a timely manner. All of a sudden, it stopped working 2.5 years after I started taking it. I gained over 30 lbs in about 3.5 months. All my hard work just disappeared. I don’t know what happened, but it is devastating. I am so tired all the time, have no drive to do anything, binge eat every day, and I’m angry and irritable. It’s been like this for months. I’m a shell of myself. I suggest it for short-term use but not long-term. If anyone else experienced this, I’d love to hear about it."

• ALe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2024

For ADHD "This drug starts off wonderfully in the first 2-3 years. Then you start building tolerance and side effects start kicking in. In the first 2-3 years, I was able to almost do anything, achieve a lot of things, and organize my day better. The reason I wouldn’t recommend this drug is that it gives you a form of illusion, the first few years, it works great, then you become so dependent that you cannot do anything without it. You start developing side effects like irritability, anger, paranoia, mania, and aggressiveness. I have been using this drug for 7 years. Due to the nature of the best, the side effects will not hit you out of the sudden, and you will not recognize yourself in the mirror after 7 years of usage. I think once you start down this road, you can never stop, the only solution is probably switching between different generics like Adderall IR and XR to trick the body into not developing a tolerance because of the slightly different ingredients. I stopped this drug for over 4 years now."

• ALe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2024

For ADHD "This drug starts off wonderfully in the first 2-3 years. Then you start building tolerance and side effects start kicking in. In the first 2-3 years, I was able to almost do anything, achieve a lot of things, and organize my day better. The reason I wouldn’t recommend this drug is that it gives you a form of illusion, the first few years, it works great, then you become so dependent that you cannot do anything without it. You start developing side effects like irritability, anger, paranoia, mania, and aggressiveness. I have been using this drug for 7 years. Due to the nature of the best, the side effects will not hit you out of the sudden, and you will not recognize yourself in the mirror after 7 years of usage. I think once you start down this road, you can never stop, the only solution is probably switching between different generics like Adderall IR and XR to trick the body into not developing a tolerance because of the slightly different ingredients. I stopped this drug for over 4 years now."

• Tru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2017

For ADHD "WARNING: Majority of the positive reviews for this drug are from people that are new to Vyvanse and the problem is that this drug works wonders at the start, but benefits quickly start to diminish and side effects start to get worse. I took Vyvanse for two years and at first, it worked great for ADD. However, after taking it consistently for a few months, I started experiencing anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, negative emotions, insomnia, and isolation... things I never experienced before in my life. You become very dependant on it because if you stop, you feel 100x worse than before you started taking it, but the longer you take it, the higher dosage you need to get the same effect. Eventually, it stops working and you just need it to get out of bed."

• Tru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2017

For ADHD "WARNING: Majority of the positive reviews for this drug are from people that are new to Vyvanse and the problem is that this drug works wonders at the start, but benefits quickly start to diminish and side effects start to get worse. I took Vyvanse for two years and at first, it worked great for ADD. However, after taking it consistently for a few months, I started experiencing anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, negative emotions, insomnia, and isolation... things I never experienced before in my life. You become very dependant on it because if you stop, you feel 100x worse than before you started taking it, but the longer you take it, the higher dosage you need to get the same effect. Eventually, it stops working and you just need it to get out of bed."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2019

For ADHD "My wife has been on this for years. As a husband, I personally hate it. It makes her not be herself. When she comes off of it, she becomes very defensive and aggressive. While it works for focus, it tunes out all else that matters in life. I call the drug a relationship killer. It runs her so her on speed during the day while on it. When she comes down at night and weekends. Stay away. It has taken her to being a completely different person than I know and care about."

• Att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

For ADHD "This medication is really messing with my head. I'm popping Vyvanse once every morning. I started on 30 mg and I did feel the improvement, I felt motivated, active, and less impulsive. After a month, it started to feel like nothing. I felt like it had no effect on me. I saw my psychiatrist, and he prescribed me 50 mg to try out this month. It's been 2 days, and I've already noticed no improvements. It makes me feel depressed, dehydrated, and makes me get angry very easily, like one small thing annoys me like I want to knock someone out. I noticed tonight that people are having trouble understanding me, like I speak normally, and people tell me they don’t understand me. My focus hasn’t improved since I started taking meds again. It only improved for a few days, and since the meds changed up my personality and are making me worse, it's even getting me into trouble at work behavior-wise. I don’t recommend this medication whatsoever."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2020

For ADHD "I had taken Vyvanse as a kid, worked great for a bit, then it just stopped working years later, so I stopped taking it. My grades went down to being bad in 10th grade. I tried it again because I was failing classes because I could never stay focused. I took it again, and immediately my grades became better, and I finished off the year amazingly. The year after, it wasn't as effective, but I also started taking AP at the time, but I could feel myself getting more sidetracked. I had a girlfriend at the time. Vyvanse changed my personality a lot. I wouldn't have much emotion if it wasn't related to what I was doing and started to get in fights with my girlfriend and fights with my parents. With my girlfriend, I was obsessed with sex, being right, and in general, I would just be angry all the time. It would hit its peak when the crash would happen later. Eventually, she left me, and I fell apart and stopped taking it so I wouldn't hurt anyone. To this day, since I stopped taking it, I'm not happy."

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2016

For Binge Eating Disorder "At first, this drug is a miracle drug. No binging, just all the right types of eating that I got to control. However, I felt the Vyvanse crash (extremely fatigued, angry, hopeless, and 'blah') every day once I started moving up in dose (above 20 mg) because the binging was starting to come back in phases. After switching to 30 mg - 60 mg every other month to try to find the right dosage, I finally realized the drug wasn't worth the crash. My psychiatrist told me that the crashes were so intense due to the fact that I did not have ADHD, so the chemical imbalance is what caused the crash. However, if you are on this drug and do feel the crashes, I've tried a lot of things to help combat it, the one that works the best is to drink water. 1 L a day."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2022

For ADHD "30 mg: I initially had immediate euphoria, sobbing in overwhelming feelings of love and happiness for several days. Gushing to family and friends about my changed life. At the same time, prompting my boyfriend to be extremely concerned that I was so “sped up,” acting and speaking like I’d had 500 cups of coffee. Sadly, positive feelings quickly faded. Within a week, I began more and more raging in violent outbursts of severe impatience, even worse than before. I became unable to smile or feel happy or loving, basically hurrying about trying to take care of things, and snapping at anyone who interfered. Sleep was also bizarre… no matter what time I took it, I would awake on the dot at the same exact hour every AM, even if I’d only been in bed a few hours, and I’d feel revved, though still exhausted. Tried half dose twice, but was just more low-grade angry all the time. Everyone kept exclaiming, “Why are you so angry?” Wrecked my relationships."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2008

For ADHD "I have identical twin boys that are eight years old. They were both diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. At first, we did everything possible to avoid medicines. After 1 year, we started with Adderall, the extended and immediate release, 2 pills a day and were impressed. Its effectiveness was noticeable once the medicine wore off (moodiness, short temper, and rebound hyperactivity). After 2 years, we were introduced to Vyvanse and it is great. They only take one pill daily, and it lasts 11-12 hours without the rebound side effects. The only problem is eating, they don't have much of an appetite throughout the day."

• Dan...
• October 27, 2014

For ADHD "High schooler, last year failed with D's and F's, now I have A's and B's across the board. I'm taking 30 mg of Vyvanse every morning, and it has turned my schooling into a complete 100% success. The only negative thing I can say is I've been having very short tempers. Anything can make me go off, I had it before taking medication, but now it's more common for me to get angry very fast. Other than that, no complaints! For a school setting, this medicine is amazing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2022

For ADHD "My spouse started taking this a week ago, and it affects mood and patience, it's changed drastically. Taking it makes things clear, and you can focus during the day, but when my spouse is at home, any little thing is upsetting, and the anger comes out. It is destroying our marriage. It makes you defensive and aggressive. The worst part of it is that my spouse thinks it's working great because of the great focus during the day at work."

• Dar...
• August 2, 2016

For ADHD "I started off on 20 mg, and it did not work very well. I was very angry and still very distracted. Although I felt like that was the first time I've ever been actually able to focus on daily activities. Things peaked my interest more, resulting in more productive energy. Due to my short temper when I started, my doctor prescribed me Ritalin, and that was THE WORST experience of my life. After that, we tried Strattera, which was even worse. I'd get sick to my stomach and just feel so drugged up. After a few different dosages, she prescribed 30 mg of Vyvanse. I've never felt so productive and aware. I haven't ever realized before this how many impulsive decisions I make without thinking about the effects. Vyvanse has made me more self-aware."

• Aug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For Binge Eating Disorder "I started Vyvanse 5 months ago 30 mg for BED (binge eating disorder). The first 2 days went absolutely amazing. It curbed my appetite, made me more hands-on and focused with my daughter. I was able to get motivated to do things. Then on day 3, it was different, the motivation stopped. I was focused so much on my phone and nothing else that playing with my daughter became difficult. I lost all my energy, I became very antisocial and withdrawn, very angry, agitated, no one could speak to me without me having an attitude. I started yelling a lot and having random fits of rage. I would feel extremely depressed and unhappy, tired and aggravated. When the medication started to wear off, I eventually went up to 40 mg in hopes that the side effects would go away, but they didn't. 5 months later, I finally told my psych I couldn't handle it anymore. My psych decided to try me on Adderall. I wouldn't recommend Vyvanse to anyone, and for those who are adamant about taking it, tread lightly. This stuff mucked around with my head and made me incredibly on edge. I'll never go back on it again."

• Aug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For Binge Eating Disorder "I started Vyvanse 5 months ago 30 mg for BED (binge eating disorder). The first 2 days went absolutely amazing. It curbed my appetite, made me more hands-on and focused with my daughter. I was able to get motivated to do things. Then on day 3, it was different, the motivation stopped. I was focused so much on my phone and nothing else that playing with my daughter became difficult. I lost all my energy, I became very antisocial and withdrawn, very angry, agitated, no one could speak to me without me having an attitude. I started yelling a lot and having random fits of rage. I would feel extremely depressed and unhappy, tired and aggravated. When the medication started to wear off, I eventually went up to 40 mg in hopes that the side effects would go away, but they didn't. 5 months later, I finally told my psych I couldn't handle it anymore. My psych decided to try me on Adderall. I wouldn't recommend Vyvanse to anyone, and for those who are adamant about taking it, tread lightly. This stuff mucked around with my head and made me incredibly on edge. I'll never go back on it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2014

For ADHD "Was placed on Vyvanse after extreme weight loss on Adderall. Started at 20 mg, upped to 40 mg, then upped to 40 mg 2x a day. I got my appetite back, but the medication really did nothing else for me. I went into rages and had huge anger problems for no reason. Anything could set me off! I could barely sleep or focus at work/school. Basically, I gained back the weight I had lost, but everything else sucked. I couldn't make it more than 6 months, my doctor switched me to Adderall XR."

• tcu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2016

For ADHD "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I was first prescribed Concerta. Since Concerta is part instant release and part extended release, it starts working extremely quickly, within 15-30 minutes, which was nice because there was no need to time things out when taking the medication. Unfortunately, Concerta starts working immediately and also stops working immediately, which for me led to a horrific crash. I was irritable and angry after the medication wore off. Due to this, my doctor switched me to Vyvanse. Vyvanse is a prodrug, which means the actual drug inside the capsule is not therapeutically helpful until it gets broken down in the body. This allows for a nice steady come-up and no crash when the medication is eventually excreted."

• Suf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For ADHD "My 16-year-old was diagnosed a month ago, apparently with ADHD. He was put on 5 mg Dexedrine twice a day but was having a slump around 4. The doctor put him on Vyvanse. He was on it for a week. Then his rages started, from his head going through walls and his fist to not being able to function at all. I took him off it after a week of use. Now, 3 weeks down the track and many visits to doctors, hospitals, mental health teams, and psychiatrists, my son still rages at the slightest thing and once has heard voices in his head. He wasn’t like this when he first started these horrid meds. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, but I do understand everyone is different, and my son has had a bad experience. But I had a mentally healthy 16-year-old 2 months ago. Now he is close to being put in a psych unit."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2011

For ADHD "I first took Vyvanse about a year ago, was up to 50 mg a day. I found it extremely helpful, but by late afternoon, I was angry at everything and everyone. I decided to stop. I then tried a few other medicines (Strattera and Concerta). Strattera didn't really work as well as a stimulant and had very negative effects on my sex life, and Concerta didn't really work at all. I was ready to give up but decided to give Vyvanse another try. This time I lowered the dose to 30 mg and only took it during the work week. WOW - it made a huge difference. I'm not seeing the same side effects that I did the first time. So it is clear to me that I was overmedicating. Anyway, just thought I would share."

• Sia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2017

For ADHD "I just recently started on Vyvanse, and it works very well! So I'm 21, and in the past, I've been on Adderall, Ritalin, and Strattera. But none work as good as Vyvanse. Adderall worked but left me feeling jittery, and Ritalin, when it wore off, I became angry. And Strattera, that's a whole 'nother story! But the main thing I like about Vyvanse is I still am me. I don't feel jittery or like a robot. I'm me, just with everything at a more calm, controlled manner. The only downfalls are that it takes 2 hours to start working and only lasts 6-7 hours when I was told it would be 14 hours. But other than that, it gets 2 thumbs up and 5 gold stars!"

• For...
• March 6, 2009

For ADHD "I took Vyvanse 50 mg for about 4 months. As I started the medication, everything was going great and I was focused. However, I was an emotional wreck while on it. People at work thought I was going crazy because I was angry at silly things, which is not my personality at all. Vyvanse seemed to work well in the mornings but wore off around 1 PM. I took it around 7:30 AM. The medication really depends on what you eat. 12 hours is not true for me. I don't know about you, but I don't have time to make sure I eat this type of food for dinner and this type for breakfast just so my medicines will work. Some days, the Vyvanse would not work at all and I didn't get anything done. Vyvanse also caused hair loss and turned grey. I'm 25 years old."

• squ...
• August 28, 2019

For ADHD "I had taken Vyvanse for many years and was slowly on the decline. I was deeply depressed and had an absolute hopeless and helpless outlook on life with no relief. I had psychosis, delusions, and impulsive behavior, which I never had. I began having issues with memory, thinking, reasoning, decision-making, tasks, and concentration. I would become very agitated if interrupted. I was very aggressive and agitated constantly, it was at least 98% of the time in 10 years. I read horror stories about stimulants, namely the amphetamine line of them. I subsequently tapered off of them and feel 100% better than before. I have no depressive symptoms, delusions, memory problems, agitation, or aggressiveness. I was not happy with life, and my personal relationships were very toxic. I wasted almost 10 years of my life feeling like this and have other personal complications that resulted from the use of these toxic drugs."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

For ADHD "My son is 6. They started him off on Concerta, he seemed fine. We had minimal complaint. The only downside is, every day around 7, he would be in moods over silly things, but it would pass. Now the Vyvanse had him in 'HULK' mode, as he would describe it. He was very snappy and angry and became aggressive with the kids at school (which was never an issue before). I hated that stuff. I'm beginning to realize that finding the right meds is going to be a HUGE task."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

For ADHD "My son is 6. They started him off on Concerta, he seemed fine. We had minimal complaint. The only downside is, every day around 7, he would be in moods over silly things, but it would pass. Now the Vyvanse had him in 'HULK' mode, as he would describe it. He was very snappy and angry and became aggressive with the kids at school (which was never an issue before). I hated that stuff. I'm beginning to realize that finding the right meds is going to be a HUGE task."