Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[1] Lisdexamfetamine works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in your brain. Vyvanse is considered a Schedule II controlled substance because it has a potential for abuse and addiction.
Some people abuse Vyvanse because it is an amphetamine. It can lead to mind-altering effects like increased energy, heightened focus, and a rush of euphoria. Using Vyvanse at higher doses can lead to life-threatening effects like overdoses.
If you or a loved one suffers from Vyvanse addiction, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system. The half-life of Vyvanse is about one hour, which means it can stay in your body for up to 5 hours. Despite this, drug tests can detect it for a longer period because of metabolites left behind in your urine, saliva, blood, and hair.
In this article, you will learn:
- How long the effects of Vyvanse last
- What is the half-life of Vyvanse
- How long can drug tests detect Vyvanse in your system
How Long Do the Effects of Vyvanse Last?
Vyvanse is a medication used to treat ADHD. It will reduce symptoms like inattention, impulsiveness, and improve your focus. If you are not using Vyvanse to treat ADHD, it might cause you to experience a high similar to cocaine.
The side effects of lisdexamfetamine include:[1]
- Increased energy and focus
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
Vyvanse should begin working within two hours of taking it. Typically, the effects last for up to 14 hours. If you are taking Vyvanse as prescribed, your doctor probably instructed you to take it every morning.
How Long Does Vyvanse Stay in Your System?
To understand how long Vyvanse stays in your system, you need to know what a drug’s half-life is. A half-life explains how long it takes your body to metabolize and eliminate half of the dose. It can take up to 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from your system.
Stimulant drugs tend to have a relatively fast half-life. Vyvanse has a half-life of one hour.[2] It only takes 4 to 5 hours for it to leave your system.
It is important to note that a variety of factors can influence how long Vyvanse stays in your system. For example, the dose you take, how frequently you consume it, and your overall health all play a role. In other words, how long a drug stays in your system can vary from person to person.
How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Vyvanse?
While Vyvanse tends to leave your system within five hours of consuming it, it does leave behind metabolites in certain areas of your body. As Vyvanse travels through your system, these metabolites are left behind in your saliva, blood, urine, and hair. Drug tests can detect whether you have used Vyvanse by looking for its metabolites.
Urine
Urine tests are the most common drug screening because they are minimally invasive and relatively cheap. They also offer the most reliable results when compared to other types of drug tests. You might be asked to complete a urine drug screen before getting a job, during a rehab program, or when visiting your probation officer.
Drug tests can detect Vyvanse in urine for 60 hours to three days after your last dose.
Blood
Blood tests tend to offer a shorter window of detection than urine screens. They are also invasive, which means they are only used in very specific settings. You might be given a blood test when you are in a hospital.
Blood tests can find Vyvanse in your system for eight hours after you last consumed it.
Saliva
Saliva tests are not used as often as urine screenings because they offer a shorter window of detection. That said, they are convenient in situations like roadside sobriety tests, which means law enforcement officers might use them.
Saliva tests can find Vyvanse in your body for up to 48 hours after your last dose.
Hair
Hair tests are not favored by medical professionals for a couple of reasons. First, they are expensive to send off to the lab to be analyzed. Additionally, they often discriminate based on things like hair color, making their results unreliable.
Despite this, some high-security clearance jobs might use hair follicle drug testing before offering employment. These tests can find any drug in your system for up to 90 days after you last consumed them.
Find Help for Vyvanse Abuse and Addiction
If you or a loved one suffers from Vyvanse addiction, it’s time to seek help. Abusing a stimulant drug long term can lead to a variety of adverse physical and mental health effects. Additionally, you could suffer from a life-threatening overdose if you consume too much at once.
Thankfully, drug rehab programs like the Mandala Healing Center are here to help you overcome Vyvanse addiction. We offer evidence-based treatments like medical detox, behavioral therapies, and relapse prevention planning. Our addiction specialists will be there 24/7 to support you while offering an empathetic approach to addiction recovery that makes it easier to open up about past traumas.
Contact us today to learn more about our Vyvanse addiction treatment center. We can help you regain control over your life and begin your recovery journey.
References:
- Medline Plus: Lisdexamfetamine
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Vyvanse Label
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Detection of lisdexamfetamine and its metabolite d-amphetamine in urine and gastric contents collected from a cadaver at forensic autopsy
- NIH: Lisdexamfetamine and amphetamine pharmacokinetics in oral fluid, plasma, and urine after controlled oral administration of lisdexamfetamine