Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine
Clinical data
Trade namesVyvanse, Tyvense, Elvanse, Volidax, others
Other namesL-Lysine-d-amphetamine; (2S)-2,6-Diamino-N-[(2S)-1-phenylpropan-2-yl]hexanamide
N-[(2S)-1-Phenyl-2-propanyl]-L-lysinamide
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa607047
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B3
Dependence
liability
Moderate
Addiction
liability
Moderate
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityOral: 96.4%
Protein binding20% (as dextroamphetamine)
MetabolismHydrolysis by enzymes in red blood cells initially, subsequent metabolism follows
MetabolitesDextroamphetamine (and its metabolites) and L-lysine
Onset of actionOral: <2 hours
Elimination half-lifeLisdexamfetamine: <1 hour
Dextroamphetamine: 10–12 h
Duration of action10–14 hours
ExcretionKidney: ~2%
Identifiers
  • (2S)-2,6-Diamino-N-[(1S)-1-methyl-2-phenylethyl]hexanamide
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC15H25N3O
Molar mass263.385 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
ChiralityDextrorotatory enantiomer
  • O=C(N[C@H](Cc1ccccc1)C)[C@@H](N)CCCCN
  • InChI=1S/C15H25N3O/c1-12(11-13-7-3-2-4-8-13)18-15(19)14(17)9-5-6-10-16/h2-4,7-8,12,14H,5-6,9-11,16-17H2,1H3,(H,18,19)/t12-,14-/m0/s1 Y
  • Key:VOBHXZCDAVEXEY-JSGCOSHPSA-N Y
 NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Lisdexamfetamine, sold under the brand names Vyvanse and Elvanse among others, is a stimulant medication that is used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults and for moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults. Lisdexamfetamine is taken by mouth. Its effects generally begin within 90 minutes and last for up to 14 hours.

Common side effects of lisdexamfetamine include loss of appetite, anxiety, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, irritability, and nausea. Rare but serious side effects include mania, sudden cardiac death in those with underlying heart problems, and psychosis. It has a high potential for substance abuse. Serotonin syndrome may occur if used with certain other medications. Its use during pregnancy may result in harm to the baby and use during breastfeeding is not recommended by the manufacturer.

Lisdexamfetamine is an inactive prodrug that works after being converted by the body into dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Chemically, lisdexamfetamine is composed of the amino acid L-lysine, attached to dextroamphetamine.

Lisdexamfetamine was approved for medical use in the United States in 2007 and in the European Union in 2012. In 2022, it was the 69th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 9 million prescriptions. It is a Class B controlled substance in the United Kingdom, a Schedule 8 controlled drug in Australia, and a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States.