New Drug Approved for Adult ADHD

A new drug called Vyvanse was recently approved for use in adults.  It was approved in February 2007 for children 6-12.  Why is this significant?  Vyvanse is a “prodrug” meaning it’s the precursor to the stimulant dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine).  As a prodrug, it has to be metabolized by the digestive system to become active.  This means it is less likely to be abused, such as by snorting.  The drug lasts a full 12 hours unlike the long acting stimulants which tend to last 10-12 hours or shorter for some people.  I often have patients feel the long acting medications such as Adderall XR only last about 8 hours.  For a drug that lasts a full 12 hours, one would have to be diligent to take the drug early in the morning to reduce the chance of the medication affecting sleep.