What is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse is a brand name for lisdexamfetamine, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or binge eating disorder (BED). Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug (a biologically inactive drug that is converted in the body to produce an active drug).

Lisdexamfetamine is broken down by red blood cells into dextroamphetamine and l-lysine (an essential amino acid). The precise mechanism by which dextroamphetamine works in ADHD is unknown; however, it does inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurotransmitters, resulting in an increase in their concentrations at the nerve synapse (the space between two nerves). ADHD symptoms are thought to be exacerbated by a norepinephrine and dopamine imbalance.