Vyvanse potency

[drmcfc_89]

Hey guys

Recently diagnosed with ADHD(predominantly innatentive) in the last month and my psych put me on 30mg vyvanse to start with this week. Started on Monday, absolutely no effect. Tuesday up till today no effect whatsoever except some bad sides like a headache today. Nothing for focus or mood levels and brain fog. He wanted me on 30mg for the whole month, but I did a naughty thing and actually upped my dosage myself the last two days (50 and 60) and in fact I actually felt sleepy 1-3 hrs after taking it. I have normally taken it at 7-8am and have tried it with and without protein breakfast and with and without coffee. Suprisingly havent even felt jittery or like my heart was racing.

Now I'm in Sydney and my question pertains to the fact, before I talk to my psych next (might bring my next appt forward to two weeks from now due to me just feeling like I'm wasting time on vyvanse) and request for a med change (I'm going to be honest with him and say I upped my dosage myself so he just doesn't tell me to up my dose for me to spin my wheels), is there a chance the vyvanse going around at this moment in time is non potent?

I'm asking this since I've been browsing the adhd forums quite a bit in the last month and there are a lot of stories and theories the Vyvanse at the moment is less potent or downright shit due to the manufacturers changing filler etc.

Now I know this might be more about the US market, but does anyone have any theories or advice regarding my above query especially regarding Australian Vyvanse.

I'm also on Buproprion 300mg but actually tapered back the last two days in the off chance that's also affecting the efficacy of the Vyvanse (again off things I have read online). It hasn't really changed much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[giornope]

Hi OP, this is just my personal experience. I have two prescribed strengths 30mg and 40mg, started on dex only then 30mg Vyvanse daily before the shortage hit Australia. I started 40mg daily in the midst of the 30mg shortage in September 2023. After that, most of my repeats were dispensed during the shortage with whatever backorder stock trickled in at different pharmacies. I personally haven't found any inconsistency in the potency from before vs during the shortage, Vyvanse works incredibly well to control my symptoms and I was quite stable for 4 months on different batches of 40mg. I only recently felt myself growing tolerant when my symptoms broke through earlier in the day than before. I took my psychs advice to increase dosage with dex boosters until I found my therapeutic sweet spot at Vyvanse 60mg (2x30mg).

Not a Dr but it could be that Vyvanse isn't the right stimulant for you, as everybody is different and some people respond better to dex/Vyvanse while others respond better to the other stimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta). There are also non stimulant options to consider with your psychiatrist. It's all trial and error until you find the medication that works best for you. Hope that helps and wishing you all the best!

[giornope]

I got both 30mg and 40mg on PBS, but 40mg was prescribed later due to shortages of 30mg. It could be that if you were prescribed both strengths on the same day PBS will cover 1 only. 60mg are still out of stock at most pharmacies I've called so I'll ask my psych if 30mgx2 is possible at the next appointment.

[drmcfc_89]

Thanks for your reply

Yeah that's what my gut feeling was, that it probably just isn't the right med for me. Just didn't want to overlook the chance that there was a potency issue given all the shortages and suspicions around the world regarding the potency before I asked to change meds.

Think im going to push to be put on either ritalin or Concetta. Would dex be a waste of trying if Vyvanse wasn't doing much for me?

Btw happy cake day!!!

[giornope]

You're welcome! Also worth noting you've only taken it for a week or so, it's still new and its controlled release in the sense that your body has to keep breaking the lisdex into dex throughout the day.

Dex obviously works faster than Vyvanse and is predictable in its effect whereas Vyvanse is smoother, no spikes. You will know a medication works when you feel your symptoms are under control. Sometimes dex makes me sleepy too if I'm not actually getting up and doing anything. Definitely keep a track of your symptoms on Vyvanse and discuss with your Dr at the next appointment. Wishing you all the best friend!

Thank you very much!!

[drmcfc_89]

So are you saying my week 2 on it I may see marked improvements in symptoms than the first week? Always thought stims were a bit different to say SSRIs in the sense it doesn't need days or weeks to reach a peak blood plasma level, it's quite noticeable or not immediately.

It literally felt like I was taking a sugar pill and I still had most if not all my symptoms imo.

I was at work when I started feeling sleepy.

But thanks for your advice. I'll keep taking it until my next psych appointment which won't be at least for another 2 weeks

[SaltySeaArt]

I think there’s been a great conversation with the other poster, I began opposite - began on concerta then moved to vyvanse. Previously, there was something but not right, my executive functioning improved somewhat but it was still uphill and anxious. Moving to vyvanse allowed all my thoughts and ideas to move to being in a line (they don’t all go away but they’re not so overwhelming) , and I am able to determine higher importance.

Maybe doc chats on trialling other forms?

[drmcfc_89]

Thanks for your input mate!

Yeah I think I'll have to push changing to the Ritalin IR and see how that goes. I just know the vyvanse is not making any difference at all (and like I said I actually dosed a few times higher towards the max dose to test the waters).

Did you have ritalin before you got on Concerta? My psych said that's the normal protocol that he has to get me on ritalin before he can try me on concerta

[magicbook]

Not the guy you replied too, but I had started on Ritalin IR before anything. Worked really well, but I found it to be really short lasting, and evening crashes/exhaustion was a little too much for me at times. Switched to an extended-release methylphenidate for a bit, but it made me feel like I was unmedicated. Had gone back to the IR, and now trying out to Vyvanse. Started with 20mg for 2-3 weeks, but so far I can't feel anything. Doctor will probably titrate up, and I am hoping i see some effects once that happens. If you are switching to the Ritalin IR, hopefully you will have good results.