Vyvanse is an amphetamine drug used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. This drug is not usually prescribed for bedtime use, because it can have stimulating effects that interfere with sleep.
However, there are cases when your doctor may recommend that you take Vyvanse at bedtime and some strategies that may help you deal with the side effects of taking this drug at night.
In this article we’ll explore how to get prescribed Vyvanse for bed as well as some tips on how to manage its side effects if your doctor does suggest a bedtime dose of this drug.
Table of Contents
What Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is an amphetamine drug used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. It is not chemically addictive but can cause dependence—meaning that you may get used to its effects and experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it. The drug works by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.
People with ADHD often have lower-than-normal levels of dopamine, and medications like Vyvanse can help normalize dopamine levels in the brain. Vyvanse is also sometimes prescribed for weight loss, as it is a stimulant and can increase metabolism.
Vyvanse is a long-acting drug that is meant to be taken once a day in order to maintain consistent dopamine levels throughout the day. Because of this, it’s not recommended to take Vyvanse at night, as it will keep dopamine levels high while you sleep.
Can Vyvanse Be Prescribed For Bedtime?
As we mentioned above, Vyvanse is a long-acting drug that is meant to be taken once a day in order to maintain consistent dopamine levels throughout the day. Because of this, it’s not recommended to take Vyvanse at night, as it will keep dopamine levels high while you sleep. This is problematic because sleep is when your body experiences a drop in dopamine levels—so if you have high dopamine levels at night, you’re likely to experience sleep disturbances.
However, there are cases when your doctor may recommend that you take Vyvanse at bedtime and there are some strategies that may help you deal with the side effects of taking this drug at night:
Strategies To Help You Sleep While On Vyvanse
- Try a low dose: If your doctor recommends taking Vyvanse at bedtime, you may want to try taking a lower dose than you would normally take during the day. This will help lower your dopamine levels while you sleep, allowing you to get better sleep.
- Take Vyvanse with food: Eating before you take your medication can help reduce its side effects. This is especially true if you take a high dose of Vyvan-se, which can cause insomnia and restlessness.
- Take your medication early: If you’re taking a higher dose of Vyvanse, you may want to consider taking it earlier in the evening, before your circadian clock kicks in. Taking your medication earlier will allow it to start working before your internal clock says it should. This can help minimize the effects of taking a higher dose as well as the effects of the drug wearing off.
- Avoid any alcohol: While taking Vyvanse at night, you should also try to avoid any alcohol, as it can have an additive effect with the drug. You may also want to steer away from caffeine, as it can be a stimulant that disrupts your sleep.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can affect your sleep so make sure to keep your water intake consistent throughout the evening.
- Try a sleep aid: If you’re struggling to fall asleep while taking Vyvanse, you may want to try a sleep aid. Make sure to talk with your doctor before taking any new medication, as some sleep aids may interact with Vyvanse, causing adverse side effects.
Tips For Managing Vyvanse’s Side Effects
- Take breaks: Taking Vyvanse on a regular basis can cause you to build up a tolerance to the drug, which means you’ll need a higher dose to maintain the same effect. You can avoid this by taking breaks from the drug.
- Take breaks from sleeping with the drug: If you’re taking Vyvanse regularly, you may want to take periodic breaks from taking it at night. This will help your body reset and could allow you to take a lower dose and/or use the drug less frequently.
- Get enough sleep: Poor sleep hygiene can cause you to need more medication. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, as this will help lower your dose requirements.
Final words: Is It Worth The Trouble?
Taking Vyvanse at night, while challenging, can be worth it if you need to take this drug to help treat your symptoms. However, it’s important to understand the potential side effects and how to manage them so that you can get the most out of the drug while also getting good sleep.
