Vyvanse is an amphetamine salt drug used to treat ADHD and binge-eating disorder. It comes with a risk of side effects as common as dry mouth and as rare as heart attack and stroke.
Kidney stones are a potential side effect, but only for some people.
This article explains how Vyvanse can cause kidney stones and who should not take it or take it with care.
Table of Contents
What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is an amphetamine salt drug used to treat adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and binge-eating disorder. It comes in the form of a tablet that is swallowed. It is also available in a liquid form that is injected into the skin.
How can Vyvanse cause kidney stones?
Vyvanse can cause kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard crystals that form in the kidneys from minerals in the urine.
Vyvanse increases your blood levels of calcium, uric acid and phosphate, minerals that are involved in kidney stone formation. Vyvanse may increase your risk of kidney stones if you have other risk factors for them.
Those risk factors are:
- A diet high in protein, sodium, or sugar.
- A family history of kidney stones.
- Dehydration.
- Not getting enough calcium from your diet or through supplements.
Who should not take Vyvanse?
If you have any of the risk factors above, you should discuss with your doctor whether Vyvanse is right for you. Especially if you have a family history of kidney stones.
Vyvanse is not recommended for people with moderate to severe heart disease. Vyvanse can cause high blood pressure in these patients. Vyvanse is not recommended for people with glaucoma.
Vyvanse can increase the pressure in the eye and worsen the symptoms of glaucoma. Vyvanse is not recommended for people with an allergy to it or its components.
It is not recommended for people with an irregular heartbeat, rhythm or blood pressure. It is not recommended for people with a history of drug abuse.
Vyvanse is not recommended for breastfeeding women. Vyvanse can pass into breast milk and may harm the child.
What are the symptoms of a Vyvanse stone?
The symptoms of Vyvanse kidney stones can be mild to severe. Depending on where the stone is located, some symptoms may be more mild while others more severe.
- Abdominal pain and cramping.
- Bloating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Urgent need to urinate, feeling like you can’t urinate enough.
- Blood in your urine or pain when urinating.
- Swollen legs.
How are Vyvanse stones treated?
The best treatment for Vyvanse stones is to avoid kidney stone formation by making lifestyle changes in your diet, hydration, and medication.
Medication is only used as a last resort when lifestyle changes have not worked. Medication can help dissolve the stone or break it into smaller pieces. It is important to know that treatment for Vyvanse stones can take months.
Depending on how big the stone is and how long it has been growing, treatment can take several months or even longer.
Final words: Is Vyvanse worth the risk?
Vyvanse can be an effective drug for many people. But the potential of developing kidney stones is a great reason to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
As always, when taking a drug it is important to weigh the potential benefits against the potential side effects. If you have a family history of kidney stones, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
