How to get Vyvanse — 5 steps from appointment to first dose

Unmanaged attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is difficult to live with — it can affect your work life, relationships, mood, and more. Luckily, there are effective medications out there that reduce symptoms. Vyvanse is 1 of the most effective treatments for ADHD. It may give you a renewed energy for life and deeper focus at work. With so many options out there, it’s normal to wonder how to get Vyvanse.

What do you need to get a prescription? What should you tell your prescriber if you’re interested in taking Vyvanse? We answer your questions in this simple, step-by-step, ADHD-friendly guide. Read on to learn more.

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How to get Vyvanse — from appointment to first dose

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved ADHD medication. It’s helped many people get their ADHD symptoms under control. If you think it may help you, too, here are 5 steps you can take to get Vyvanse, from making your first appointment to picking up your prescription.

1. Find a healthcare provider to discuss Vyvanse and your ADHD symptoms

The first thing you need to get Vyvanse is a prescription. The only people who can prescribe medications, including Vyvanse and other ADHD meds, are board-certified, licensed healthcare providers. Any physician (MD), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant/associate (PA), including your primary care physician, can legally diagnose ADHD and prescribe Vyvanse. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners are specially trained in how to diagnose and treat ADHD. They can conduct a more thorough evaluation and give you more detailed information about managing your symptoms. 

As a first step, consider asking your primary care physician for help with ADHD. Also ask them about their experience and expertise in ADHD assessment and ADHD treatment. Some general practitioners may be able to perform the assessment themselves or refer you to someone who can.

Traditionally, patients saw their healthcare provider in person at a hospital or clinic. While that’s still possible, now it’s just as common to find and see an ADHD doctor online. This makes finding a provider to discuss Vyvanse more convenient and accessible than ever.  

Whether you prefer your appointments online, in person, or a combination of both, there are a few different ways to find a provider:

• Get a referral from family or friends. Keep in mind that, in some situations, mental health providers may not be able to see you to avoid unethical dual relationships. For example, your spouse’s therapist may not be able to work with you in therapy as well.
• Use your insurance plan’s list of in-network providers.
• Go through a healthcare marketplace like Klarity Health, which can connect you to the health provider you need without having to go through insurance. 

Regardless of how you find a provider, focus on finding one who specializes in ADHD treatment if that’s available to you. Although all medical providers (including MDs, NPs, and PAs) can diagnose and treat ADHD, an ADHD specialist can conduct a more thorough evaluation.

2. Book an appointment to meet with your provider

The next step to getting Vyvanse is to book your first appointment with your provider. 

If you don’t already have an ADHD diagnosis, your provider will evaluate you during the first appointment to see if you meet the criteria. Be sure to talk to your doctor about ADHD and your symptoms. 

Providers use the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) to determine whether a patient meets the criteria for ADHD. They may also have you complete diagnostic questionnaires or perform psychological testing for ADHD. The first assessment session typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours, but can sometimes last longer. A complete diagnosis may take a few sessions.

If you’re diagnosed with ADHD (or if you already have a prior diagnosis), your provider will discuss a treatment plan with you that may include a medication like Vyvanse. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and medical history to decide if Vyvanse is a safe and effective option for you. If you’re interested in Vyvanse specifically, let them know, and be honest and transparent about your symptoms. 

If your provider feels Vyvanse or generic Vyvanse isn’t right for you, they’ll suggest alternative options to manage your adult ADHD symptoms. Your first appointment is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about Vyvanse. It may be helpful to prepare notes before your appointment.

3. Make sure you can find Vyvanse 

If you and your healthcare provider decide Vyvanse is right for you, make sure you can find it in stock. Some medications experience shortages, including Vyvanse. When in shortage, there isn’t enough medication to meet demand — you may not find Vyvanse in stock at your pharmacy, even if you’re prescribed it.

According to the FDA Drug Shortages database, brand-name Vyvanse is available. As of June 2024, all generic forms of Vyvanse — lisdexamfetamine — either have limited availability or are unavailable due to a shortage of the active ingredient. 

Reach out to your provider for updated information about Vyvanse’s availability in your area. If there is a shortage, they may suggest alternative medications or be able to help you find it. Although Vyvanse is an effective treatment for ADHD, other options (like Ritalin or Adderall) may work just as well for your symptoms.

4. Have your provider submit your Vyvanse prescription to your preferred pharmacy

If you’re prescribed Vyvanse and can find it in your area, your provider will submit your prescription to your preferred pharmacy. For convenience, most people choose a pharmacy close to where they live or work. 

You can also have your provider send your Vyvanse prescription to an online pharmacy. Getting Vyvanse online is convenient. You don’t need to commute to a pharmacy to pick up your medication. But, you may wait longer to start Vyvanse due to shipping and delivery.

5. Pick up your prescription or have it delivered

The final step to getting Vyvanse for ADHD is to pick up your medication from the pharmacy. If you use an online pharmacy or a local pharmacy that offers delivery, it can be delivered straight to your home. 

Once you have your medication, start taking Vyvanse as prescribed.

Once you’re taking Vyvanse

It’s important to follow up with your ADHD provider regularly. Often, the starting dosage isn’t the most effective. Your provider may gradually increase your dose while monitoring your progress until you reach a maintenance dose. The recommended starting dose is 30 milligrams, but you can take up to 70 milligrams per day. Your maintenance dose will be the lowest dose that works for you.

It’s also common for people to experience side effects when first starting Vyvanse. At follow-up appointments, your provider can help you manage your side effects and determine whether there’s a concern. Of course, if you have serious or concerning side effects between appointments contact your provider or call 911 immediately.

What to tell your provider when asking for Vyvanse

When talking to your provider about Vyvanse, be honest and open about your health. While it’s effective for ADHD, Vyvanse isn’t right for everyone. Sharing your health history and experiences helps your provider make the right diagnosis and prescribe the medication that’s best for your needs.  

When being evaluated for Vyvanse, tell your provider about:

• Your mental health symptoms, including those of ADHD and any other mental health issues (such as depression, sleep problems, or anxiety)
• How long you’ve been experiencing symptoms
• Past psychiatric diagnoses or hospitalizations
• Your medical history, including any current and past health conditions (including physical health conditions), surgeries, and hospitalizations
• All current and past medications, including other ADHD medications you’ve taken

Also, be honest with them about what you’re hoping Vyvanse will do for you. Your provider can offer additional treatments and solutions, like ADHD therapy and ADHD coaching, that can help you reach your goals.

What does it cost to get Vyvanse?

The cost of getting a Vyvanse prescription includes what you pay for your diagnostic/prescription appointment as well as the cost of the medication itself.

The cost of your appointment with your healthcare provider depends on factors like the provider’s fees and whether or not you’re using health insurance. Insurance can help cover the cost of your appointment, especially if you see an in-network provider.

Marketplace services, like Klarity Health, offer affordable alternatives if you don’t have insurance or don’t want to use your plan. On Klarity Health, you can find an ADHD provider and book an appointment in a few clicks. Note that providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners and set their own rates.

Then you need to pay for the medication itself. According to drugs.com with its discount card applied, Vyvanse typically costs:

• Around $1,370 for a 1-month supply (100 capsules) of the brand-name drug 
• Around $570 for a 1-month supply of generic lisdexamfetamine

Insurance coverage can lower these costs, but what you pay depends on your plan’s benefits.

Vyvanse at a glance

Find important information to know about Vyvanse in the table below.

**Prices are according to drugs.com and with their discount card applied at the time of publication

What to expect when you start Vyvanse

Like most stimulant medications, Vyvanse starts working quickly — typically within 90 minutes to 2 hours. Some patients report that the effects of Vyvanse are almost immediate when they first start taking it, but it takes longer for the medication to kick in the longer they take it. 

For example, one Reddit user writes, “When I first took it, [it worked in] less than 30 minutes — then I increased the dosage and slowly over time it became like 2 hours+ and I would have extreme lethargy, like unable to keep my eyes open before it kicked in.”

Other users report that Vyvanse takes longer to start working when they haven’t slept well the night before. Generally, Vyvanse starts working within a few hours, unlike other psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants, which can take weeks to be effective.

When it’s a good fit, Vyvanse helps you manage ADHD symptoms and be more focused, less restless, and less impulsive. A Reddit user, u/sunarchitects explains it this way: “Around 2 hours after taking Vyvanse, I become aware that I feel more invested and that life feels richer and deeper. It gives me that extra contentment that tips me over to the ‘snowballing positively’ side of life, instead of the inverse.”

Your prescribing provider may start you on a lower dose and work up to a maintenance dose over time. Reddit user u/katnissrey says, “This medication has been life-changing. The first time I took the 10 mg dose my brain felt calm and clear — the whole ‘putting glasses on for the first time’ experience. The medication has been very smooth at each dose [change] for me. No abrupt ‘kick in,’ no crash at all. Sleep has been fine.”

Possible side effects of Vyvanse to be aware of

Although Vyvanse is a safe and effective medication for many people, it can cause side effects, especially when your body is getting used to it. Reddit user, u/katnissrey, said that they experienced side effects initially after starting Vyvanse: “I had dry mouth, mild headache, jaw clenching and decreased appetite for probably the first 3-4 weeks.”

People who take this medication also discuss the “Vyvanse crash.” This is an effect commonly associated with all stimulants (including caffeine) where you become lethargic as the substance wears off. Some users state that the Vyvanse crash isn’t as intense as it is with other ADHD medications. They also mention that eating throughout the day helps.

Common side effects of Vyvanse

Vyvanse has some common side effects that mostly affect the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. Many people find that common side effects wear off with time, but they can stick around. If side effects affect your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider about dosage adjustments or alternative ADHD medications.

Serious side effects of Vyvanse

Vyvanse has a risk of more serious side effects. It can increase blood pressure and heart rate. This can make it risky for people who already live with serious heart disease or are at risk of heart failure. 

Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants like Vyvanse are also associated with peripheral vasculopathy, a circulation disorder that causes narrow arteries and a lack of blood flow to the limbs. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice changes in the temperature or blood flow to your fingers and toes.

There are some psychiatric risks associated with taking Vyvanse. It can worsen existing psychiatric issues, such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome. New manic and psychotic symptoms have been reported with Vyvanse use in 0.1% of patients. 

Tell your provider if you take (or have recently taken) monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), or any other medication that affects serotonin levels, including lithium, fentanyl, or St. John’s Wort. Taking Vyvanse with these substances increases your risk for serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening reaction characterized by changes in mental status, autonomic instability (including fast heart rate, dizziness, and high body temperature), neuromuscular symptoms (including tremor, rigidity, and incoordination), and gastrointestinal symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea).

Vyvanse is a controlled substance

Vyvanse, like other stimulant ADHD medications, is a controlled substance. It has a risk for addiction and abuse. 

If you have or have had substance-use disorder or addiction, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know before taking Vyvanse so they can weigh the benefits and risks.

Key takeaway

There are many helpful treatment options for ADHD, and stimulant medications, like Vyvanse, are known to be some of the most effective. No medication is right for everyone, but many people find that Vyvanse helps them manage their symptoms without as intense of a “crash” as other stimulants.

If you live with ADHD, follow these 5 steps to work with a provider to possibly get Vyvanse and try it for yourself:

1. Find a healthcare provider to discuss Vyvanse
2. Book an appointment to meet with your provider
3. Make sure you can find Vyvanse in stock
4. Have your provider send your prescription to your preferred pharmacy
5. Pick up your medication or have it delivered

Keep in mind, that generic Vyvanse is currently experiencing a nationwide shortage. If you can’t get Vyvanse right away, you can talk to your healthcare provider about other options for ADHD treatment.

Talk to a provider about Vyvanse

If you have ADHD and need medication, like Vyvanse, book an appointment with a provider to see if a prescription is right for you in as little as 24 hours. Find an ADHD provider on Klarity Health today and talk to them about the best treatment for your ADHD symptoms.