Does Vyvanse Build Up & Stay in Your System?

Doctors prescribe Vyvanse, a form of amphetamine, if you have symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat binge eating disorder. Vyvanse is available as a capsule in strengths ranging from 10 mg to 70 mg and as a chewable tablet in strengths ranging from 10 mg to 60 mg. The maximum recommended daily dose is 70 mg.¹

Vyvanse, also known as lisdexamfetamine, is a stimulant drug that works on your central nervous system (CNS). Vyvanse is a Schedule II controlled substance because it has a high potential for abuse and misuse, which can lead to a substance use disorder, including addiction. How long Vyvanse and its active metabolite remain detectable can vary with factors such as kidney function, urinary pH, dosage, and the type of test used.¹ These factors can also affect how the drug works.

How Does Vyvanse Work?

After Vyvanse is absorbed through the digestive system, the body converts lisdexamfetamine primarily in the blood into dextroamphetamine. The active drug then affects the central nervous system by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine and, to a lesser extent, serotonin.²

Vyvanse is generally taken in the morning because its effects may last throughout much of the day and taking it later may interfere with sleep. By taking it in the morning, your ADHD or binge eating symptoms should subside throughout the day.² If it seems to stop working before the end of the day, you should consult with your physician to adjust the medication.

Does Vyvanse Build Up in Your System?

Studies found no accumulation of lisdexamfetamine or dextroamphetamine at steady state in healthy adults taking the medication as directed. However, if you have metabolic issues, like kidney disease, the time it takes for Vyvanse to leave your system could be slower since the drug is cleared primarily through urinary excretion.¹

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay in Your Body & Bloodstream?

The length of time Vyvanse stays in your system depends on how much you take, how often you take it, age, gender, overall health, other medications you take, and any unique medical conditions. Vyvanse does not build up in the system, but it can still be found in the blood for up to 24 hours after the last dose.^1,3

The Vyvanse half-life is the time required for half of the drug to be metabolized. Vyvanse itself has a short plasma half-life of less than one hour, but its active metabolite, dextroamphetamine, has a half-life of approximately 10 to 11.3 hours in healthy adults and 8.6 to 9.5 hours in children ages 6 to 12. However, for the most part, some forms of the drug can be found in drug tests, such as the following ³:

• Blood, up to 24 hours
• Urine, between 2 to 4 days
• Saliva, between 1 to 2 days
• Hair, up to 3 months

Drug tests generally screen for amphetamine rather than lisdexamfetamine itself. Approximate detection windows for Vyvanse can vary considerably by dose, frequency of use, test cutoff, specimen type, and individual metabolism.

If you feel your test results are inaccurate, talk to your doctor. There may be a reason, such as interacting medications.¹ Your doctor can help you find the reason for a false positive or false negative test result.

Common Effects & Risks of Vyvanse Misuse

Vyvanse’s therapeutic effects may continue for much of the day, with studies reporting efficacy for up to approximately 13 hours in children and 14 hours in adults.⁴ Some common short-term effects of Vyvanse may include^1,2,5:

• Headache
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure

Children and adolescents taking Vyvanse may also experience slowed growth, so healthcare providers may monitor height and weight during treatment.¹

Although uncommon, Vyvanse has also been associated with serious risks. People with certain underlying heart conditions may have an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack.¹ In addition, taking Vyvanse with medications that increase serotonin levels may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause symptoms such as agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, and changes in blood pressure.¹

Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking Vyvanse. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop chest pain, fainting, severe agitation, confusion, or other concerning symptoms.¹

With long-term use or misuse, this medication can result in dependence or addiction. If you try to stop taking it or go without it, you may feel uncomfortable physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.¹

Is Vyvanse Addictive?

Yes, Vyvanse can lead to addiction if you are misusing it, such as chasing the pleasurable effects that occur with dopamine release in the brain. Developing a dependence or addiction can be dangerous, and ending its use can be difficult.¹ Knowing the signs of dependence can help you know when to seek help.

Signs of Vyvanse Misuse or Stimulant Use Disorder

Addiction to Vyvanse can manifest in many ways, such as breaking up relationships and experiencing poor performance at work or school. You may even feel like everything you do revolves around your drug use. More specific signs of Vyvanse addiction or stimulant use disorder include the following⁶:

• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Unsuccessfully trying to lower the dose or stop using the medication
• Intense cravings for the drug
• Drug-seeking behaviors surrounding the medication
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Withdrawal symptoms when not taking it
• Mood swings or agitation
• Needing to take more of the drug to achieve the same effects

Seeking help at the first signs of Vyvanse misuse or dependence often means entering treatment and receiving help from doctors to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Then you can continue in treatment to learn relapse prevention skills for long-term recovery success.

Vyvanse Detox & Addiction Treatment

If you have developed a physical dependence on Vyvanse, stopping the medication suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. The FDA notes that people who abruptly discontinue prolonged, high-dose amphetamine use may experience symptoms such as:¹ 

• Dysphoric mood (feeling down or emotionally distressed)
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Vivid and unpleasant dreams
• Insomnia or sleeping more than usual (hypersomnia)
• Increased appetite
• Slowed or agitated movements

Some people may also experience cravings or other psychological symptoms during withdrawal, making it difficult to stop using the medication without support.⁷ While there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for treating stimulant withdrawal, medical professionals can monitor your symptoms, provide supportive care, and use symptom-specific medications when clinically appropriate to help make the withdrawal process safer and more manageable.⁷

The appropriate setting for Vyvanse withdrawal depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, your physical and mental health, whether you use other substances, and your overall safety needs. After detox, continuing with evidence-based addiction treatment can help you address the underlying causes of stimulant misuse, build healthy coping skills, and reduce your risk of relapse.⁷

Seeking help through a drug detox program in Atlanta means you don’t have to fear the withdrawal process. During detox, medical professionals can monitor your symptoms, address complications, and provide supportive care or symptom-specific medications when clinically appropriate.⁷ Detox and addiction treatment doesn’t mean you have to go away to an inpatient facility. Today, there are many effective outpatient programs to help you reach your goals.

Help for Vyvanse Dependence & Addiction in Atlanta

Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta can offer an assessment to determine which treatment will best address your needs. Our rehab programs include a variety of outpatient options including some virtual options for additional flexibility.

To get started, contact our rehab admissions team. A team member can explain the admissions process, options for paying for addiction treatment, using your insurance for rehab, and additional ways to pay if you don’t have insurance. Call our addiction treatment center in Atlanta today and ask them to verify your insurance to get started on your recovery journey.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Vyvanse. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/021977s054,208510s011lbl.pdf.
2. Martin D, Le JK. (2023). Amphetamine. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556103/.
3. Hadland, S. E., & Levy, S. (2016). Objective Testing: Urine and Other Drug Tests. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 25(3), 549–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2016.02.005. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4920965/.
4. Ermer, J. C., Pennick, M., & Frick, G. (2016). Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate: Prodrug Delivery, Amphetamine Exposure and Duration of Efficacy. Clinical drug investigation, 36(5), 341–356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-015-0354-y. Retrieved on 1/7/2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4823324/#Sec17.
5. MedlinePlus. (2021). Lisdexamfetamine. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607047.html#side-effects.
6. Szalavitz, M., Rigg, K. K., & Wakeman, S. E. (2021). Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters. Annals of medicine, 53(1), 1989–1992. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583742/.
7. Li, M. J., & Shoptaw, S. J. (2023). Clinical management of psychostimulant withdrawal: review of the evidence. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 118(4), 750–762. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16093. Retrieved on 1/6/2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10069411/.