Do you have poor concentration? Difficulty controlling your eating? Let's learn about Lisdexamfetamine!

Do you sometimes feel that your child can't sit still and does not do even a little homework, is constantly fidgeting, and doesn't listen to what you say? Or, some adults may have a habit of eating a lot of food at once, unable to control the amount of food they eat. One of the drugs that doctors recommend for such conditions is Lisdexamfetamine. Today, we will talk about this drug in a little more detail, as if we were talking to a friend.

What kind of drug is Lisdexamfetamine?

Simply put, lisdexamfetamine is a medication used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) . You may have noticed that some children (and sometimes young people) are restless, fidgety, have trouble concentrating, and have trouble paying attention to schoolwork. This medication is mainly prescribed to those with these symptoms.

Not only that, there is another special case where this drug is used. That is, Binge Eating Disorder . In this case, a person cannot control the amount of food they eat and eats a large amount of food continuously. Lisdexamfetamine is also used for this condition.

This medicine works by changing the activity of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in our brain. This is how it reduces things like hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and increases the ability to focus. This medicine belongs to the class of drugs called stimulants .

Remember, doctors may prescribe this medication for other reasons as well, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is most commonly available in some countries under the brand name Vyvanse .

What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?

Yes, this is very important. Before you start using lisdexamfetamine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. This is because only then will your doctor be able to decide whether this medication is right for you or how to give it.

Here are those situations:

• If you often experience severe anxiety or panic attacks .
• If you have circulation problems in your fingers and toes (e.g., your fingers turn pale, blue, or numb).
• If you have glaucoma, a disease in which pressure in the eyes increases.
• If there is hardening or blockage of the arteries due to fat deposits in the blood vessels or if there are problems with the blood vessels of the heart.
• If you have heart disease or a congenital heart defect.
• If you have high blood pressure .
• If you have previously been addicted to drugs or alcohol (History of a drug or alcohol abuse problem) .
• If you have had a previous stroke .
• If you have kidney disease .
• If you have liver disease .
• If you have a mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia )
• If you have conditions such as seizures or convulsions.
• If you have had suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts , or if someone in your family has done so.
• If you have thyroid disease .
• If you have Tourette's syndrome (a condition that causes sudden, uncontrollable movements or sounds).
• If you have previously had an unusual or allergic reaction to lisdexamfetamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Don't be shy about saying these things. This information is very important for your safety and to get the most out of your medication.

Okay, now let's see how to use this medicine exactly.

This medicine often comes in the form of a capsule . It is taken orally.

• You should take the prescribed medication, at the prescribed time, in the prescribed dosage, as prescribed by your doctor.
• Swallow the capsule with a glass of water.
• Sometimes, if you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open the capsule, pour the powder into a glass of water, stir well, and drink it right away . However, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice first.
• Take your medication exactly as prescribed. Do not take more medication than your doctor tells you to, or take it more often.
• It is not a good idea to stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so may cause withdrawal effects. Therefore, if you stop taking the medicine, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dosage.
• The pharmacy where you get your medicine will give you a special information leaflet (MedGuide) about this medicine. Read it carefully every time you get your medicine, and every time you get a refill. It contains important information.

If you give this medicine to children:

Doctors may prescribe this medicine to children as young as 6 years old for certain conditions. However, there are special precautions. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to the doctor carefully and explain everything.

Overdosage:

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately, or call a poison control center .

Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else for any reason . Doing so is dangerous and against the law.

What do I do if I forget to take a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for a forgotten dose.

What other medications should not be used with this medicine, or could cause side effects?

This is also a very important point. When the drug lisdexamfetamine is taken with certain other medications, they can cause bad effects or affect the effectiveness of the drug.

Do not take lisdexamfetamine with the following medications:

• Medications in the class of drugs called MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) (e.g. Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate). If you are taking one of these medications, it is not recommended to start lisdexamfetamine until at least two weeks after stopping it.
• Other stimulant medications for attention deficit, weight loss, or to help you stay awake.

Additionally, the following medications may interact with lisdexamfetamine:

• Acetazolamide
• Ammonium chloride
• Antacids - Medicines for gastritis
• Ascorbic acid - Vitamin C
• Atomoxetine
• Caffeine - found in coffee, tea, and some soft drinks
• Some medications for high blood pressure
• Some medications for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses
• Some medications for epilepsy (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin)
• Some medications for stomach problems (e.g. Cimetidine , Famotidine, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole)
• Some medicines for colds or allergies
• Green tea
• Levodopa
• Linezolid - an antibiotic
• Sedatives during surgery
• Methenamine
• Norepinephrine
• Phenothiazines (e.g. Chlorpromazine, Mesoridazine, Prochlorperazine, Thioridazine)
• Propoxyphene
• Sodium acid phosphate
• Sodium bicarbonate

This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin, and dietary supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some things can interact with this medicine.

What are the things we need to be especially careful about when using this medicine?

Yes, you need to be a little careful when taking this medicine.

• Regular check-ups: Go to your doctor at regular intervals as directed by your doctor. There may be special procedures that you, your doctor , and the pharmacy must follow when prescribing this medication. For example, you may need to get a new written prescription from your doctor each time you need a refill.
• Attention: This medicine may affect your concentration or make you feel less tired. Therefore, do not drive, ride a bike, operate machinery, or do anything that requires you to be very alert until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
• If the medicine is not working: If you feel like the medicine is not working properly, or if you feel like you need to take more than the amount your doctor has prescribed, talk to your doctor right away. Do not change the dose of your medicine without your doctor's advice.
• Loss of appetite: It is common to experience a decreased appetite when starting this medication. You can work around this by eating small, frequent meals or snacks. If you continue to have a loss of appetite, talk to your doctor. If a child is taking this medication, the doctor will regularly monitor the child's height and weight.
• Effects on sleep: This medicine may make it difficult to sleep if taken at night. Therefore, do not take this medicine late at night.
• Surgery or other medical tests: If you are going to have surgery, an MRI, a CT scan, or any other medical procedure, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking the medicine for a while before the procedure.
• Finger problems:Tell your doctor right away if you develop unexplained wounds on your hands, feet, or fingers while taking this medicine. Also, tell your doctor if your fingers become numb, painful, change in skin color, or become sensitive to temperature. This could be a sign of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Are there any side effects? What are they?

Like any medicine, lisdexamfetamine can cause side effects in some people. Don't worry, not everyone will get them. Even if they do, some of them are not serious and will go away after a few days.

However, if you experience any of the following side effects, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Heart rhythm changes: Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing.
• Increase in blood pressure.
• Mood and behavior changes: Anxiety, Nervousness, Confusion, Hallucinations, Irritability, Hostility, Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, Worsening mood, Feelings of depression.
• Painful or prolonged erection (for men)
• Raynaud's phenomenon: coldness, numbness, pain, and pale, blue, or red discoloration of the fingers.
• Stroke in adults: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, loss of balance, dizziness, severe headache, vision changes.

Side effects that do not usually require medical attention, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome:

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Blurry vision
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, talk to your doctor about it.

How do I keep this medicine safe?

This is also very important.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• This medicineIt can be abused . Therefore, keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft .
• Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving this medicine to others is dangerous and against the law.
• Store at room temperature , between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from light. Keep the medicine bottle/packet tightly closed.
• Do not use expired medications. Dispose of them properly.

Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, we've talked a lot about Lisdexamfetamine, haven't we? This medication can help with conditions like ADHD and Binge Eating Disorder. But it's important to use it exactly as directed by your doctor.

Remember, this article is for general information only. Only your doctor can give you the best advice based on your specific situation. So, no matter what your concerns are, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. Your health is as important to you as it is to us!

I hope you find this information useful. Stay healthy!

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