How Long Does Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) Stay in Your System?

Some people may eliminate Vyvanse faster than others, depending on individual differences. Vyvanse half-life, time in system and more.

Vyvanse is a prescription drug and a central nervous system stimulant. Vyvanse is primarily prescribed to treat symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged six years and above. Vyvanse is also the only medicine of its kind approved for the treatment of binge eating disorder. 

Vyvanse is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning that it carries a high risk of abuse, addiction and dependence. Vyvanse comes in two different dosage forms: capsules and chewable tablets. Both dosage forms come in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg and 60 mg. However, there is also a stronger 70 mg capsule.

How Vyvanse Affects the Brain and Body

When someone takes Vyvanse, it speeds up the processes of their central nervous system. Vyvanse is an amphetamine, and it changes the balance of certain chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine and norepinephrine play a role in creating feelings of well-being and pleasure. Since Vyvanse activates these chemicals, it can become habit-forming. For people with ADHD, Vyvanse should help improve attention span and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. For someone who abuses Vyvanse recreationally, they may feel side effects like irritability, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Other effects on the brain and body can include euphoria, increased feelings of motivation and focus, and false feelings of self-confidence. Rare side effects of Vyvanse can include panic attacks, hallucinations, mania, delusions and paranoia.

How Long Does It Take for Vyvanse to Kick In?

Vyvanse kicks in quickly and reaches its max level in the body about one hour after you have taken a dose. This is true regardless of whether you take the capsule or tablet formulation of the drug. However, if you take the tablet formulation with a high-fat meal, it can take a little longer than an hour for the drug to reach its max level in the body.

How Long Does Vyvanse Last?

Vyvanse is meant to last all day, and for this reason, it should be taken no more than once daily in the morning. If you are prescribed Vyvanse for ADHD or binge eating disorder and feel the drug wearing off before the day is over, you should talk to your doctor.

Half-Life of Vyvanse

The half-life of any drug refers to how long it takes for the drug’s concentration in the body to be reduced to one half. It usually takes around five half-lives for all of a drug to be eliminated from the system. The elimination half-life of Vyvanse is very short. The estimated half-life, on average, is less than one hour. That means it takes less than an hour for half of the dose of Vyvanse to be eliminated from the system. Based on this half-life estimate, it would take up to five hours for the entire dose of the parent drug to be eliminated from the system. Nonetheless, some metabolites like dextroamphetamine are left behind when the body processes lisdexamfetamine, which can linger in the body for a longer time.

Does Vyvanse Build Up in Your System?

Vyvanse does not build up in the system unless you have kidney problems. This is because the drug is eliminated through the kidneys, and poor kidney function can slow this down. As a result, the manufacturer recommends that people with kidney problems take a lower dose of Vyvanse than those with healthy kidneys.

Does Vyvanse Show Up on a Drug Test?

Vyvanse can show up on a drug test. Employers may test for stimulants like Vyvanse, or a drug test may be ordered by the judicial system. In addition, if you are prescribed Vyvanse, your doctor may order a drug test to make sure that you are taking the drug. Typically, Vyvanse in the urine or blood shows up as amphetamine.

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Urine?

Vyvanse can be detected in the urine for up to five days following the last dose.

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Blood?

Vyvanse can be found in the blood between 7 and 34 hours following the last dose of the drug.

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Saliva?

Vyvanse can stay in your saliva for up to two days after the last use.

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Hair?

A 1.5-inch hair sample can show if Vyvanse was used within the previous 90 days.

How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Breastmilk?

It is unclear how long Vyvanse stays in the breast milk or whether it can impact a nursing baby. For this reason, some experts recommend avoiding Vyvanse if you are breastfeeding.

Factors That Influence How Long Vyvanse Stays in Your System

Some people may eliminate Vyvanse faster than others, depending on individual differences. For example, someone on a higher dose of Vyvanse may eliminate the drug more quickly than those on a lower dose. People who have health problems or organ function impairment may excrete drugs more slowly. The same is true for older people and those who take other medications that may interact with Vyvanse.

If you or a loved one struggles with Vyvanse, The Recovery Village can help. From our medical detox program to help you wean you off Vyvanse to our continuum of rehab services to keep you off Vyvanse, we are with you every step of the way as you embark on a Vyvanse-free life. Call us today to learn more.

Editor – Abby Doty

Abby Doty graduated from Hamline University in 2021 with a Bachelor's in English and Psychology. She has written and edited creative and literary work as well as academic pieces focused primarily on psychology and mental health. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more