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Drug Info

Does Vyvanse cause headaches?

It’s a fairly uncommon side effect of this ADHD medication
Christine Bryant headshot
By | Dec. 3, 2024 Medically reviewed by Jessica Swirble, Pharm.D.
Vyvanse capsule - Vyvanse headache

Key takeaways

  • Headaches are a reported side effect of taking Vyvanse. During clinical trials, 1% of adult participants experienced headaches.

  • Skipping a dose, not eating due to a loss of appetite, dehydration, and ADHD itself may cause headaches.

  • Patients can avoid Vyvanse headaches by taking the medication as directed, staying hydrated, and limiting stimulant medications and depressants.

  • It’s important to speak with a medical provider about any side effects, minor or serious, you are experiencing.

In this article:

Vyvanse is a popular prescription medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorders. Headaches can be a side effect when taking this mental health medication. In clinical trials, 1% of participants who took Vyvanse experienced headaches.

Are headaches a common side effect of Vyvanse?

Headaches are a reported side effect of Vyvanse. However, they’re fairly rare. Only 1% of adult clinical trial participants reported headaches that made them stop taking the medication. Other more common possible side effects include loss of appetite, insomnia (trouble sleeping), anxiety, upset stomach, irritability, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, weight loss, and diarrhea.

“Headache is a potential side effect, but is not as commonly reported as other side effects,” says Jenna Giacomin, Pharm.D., an ambulatory care clinical pharmacy specialist with Franciscan Health Physician Network.

Brand name Vyvanse, or the generic drug lisdexamfetamine, is a central nervous system stimulant that works by increasing the availability of key neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine, says Mike McGrath, MD, board-certified psychiatrist and chief clinical officer at the Oasis and Ohana Hawaii facilities. “This helps reduce impulsive behavior and increase focus.”

After taking Vyvanse, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is converted into dexamphetamine. In other words, the body must metabolize the drug before it becomes active, which can help reduce the potential for serious side effects.

Why does Vyvanse sometimes cause headaches?

The exact reasons why patients may experience headaches after taking Vyvanse aren’t fully understood, but there are a few possibilities.

Skipping a dose could trigger headaches, says Dr. McGrath. Because Vyvanse narrows the blood vessels in the brain, this can decrease blood flow and lead to headaches as well, Dr. Giacomin says.

“In other cases, Vyvanse can cause a lack of appetite as a side effect, and this leads to increased frequency of headaches triggered by not eating and not staying hydrated,” explains Dr. Giacomin. “However, the disease state of ADHD overall is associated with higher incidences of headaches, so a patient’s headaches may not be linked to the medication.”

A study published in the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience discovered that individuals with ADHD are more likely to have migraines. Migraines are severe headaches that can cause additional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vision changes, and irritability. Researchers in the study found that more than 28% of the 572 participants with ADHD experienced migraines, while only 19% of the 675 participants without ADHD had migraines.

How to avoid Vyvanse headaches

No one wants to deal with side effects when taking ADHD medications. Everyone hopes for a treatment that brings relief without any unwanted symptoms. But like most prescription drugs, Vyvanse has the potential to cause side effects, including headaches—especially when you first start the medication. How long side effects can last can be patient-specific. “In some patients, they may tolerate the medication over time, and side effects may decrease,” Dr. Giacomin says.

If you’re experiencing headaches after taking Vyvanse, try the following strategies:

  • Follow prescribing instructions. “It’s always important to take Vyvanse as directed and not to mix it with other medications or drugs,” Dr. McGrath explains. “This can minimize the risk of side effects.” That includes not skipping doses, he says.
  • Take Vyvanse with food. The manufacturer recommends taking the chewable tablet with food, preferably a high-fat meal.
  • Stay hydrated. Drinking water can lower blood pressure and decrease headache pain from dehydration.
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol. Vyvanse is a stimulant, and mixing a stimulant with a depressant like alcohol can cause a chemical imbalance, which can lead to headaches. Mixing Vyvanse with another stimulant can overstimulate the brain, leading to headaches as well.
  • Try an over-the-counter pain reliever. Dr. McGrath advises that it is generally safe to take Vyvanse with over-the-counter medications like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). However, if you have other health conditions that prevent you from taking these medications, you should avoid them.
  • Discuss changing your dosage. Headaches are usually mild and should go away within a couple of weeks as your body adjusts to the medication, Dr. McGrath says. If your headaches don’t go away, you could be taking too high or too low a dose to manage your ADHD symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend changing the dose to alleviate side effects, including headaches.
  • Ask about switching medications. If your headaches are severe, ask your provider about your treatment options. Changing to a different stimulant medication, such as Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), Ritalin (methylphenidate), or Concerta (methylphenidate), could help. These medications have different active ingredients and may have other side effects. “However, it’s not recommended for patients to discontinue the medication on their own without speaking to a healthcare provider,” Dr. Giacomin emphasizes. Stopping Vyvanse suddenly could lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Potential Vyvanse drug interactions that can increase the risk of side effects, such as headaches, include:

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Antidepressants and other drug classes that increase serotonin levels
  • CNS stimulant drugs that include other ADHD medications
  • Medicines that are urinary alkalizing or acidifying agents like Acetazolamide and Thiazide diuretics

“It’s always best to check with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplements with Vyvanse,” Dr. McGrath says.

When to see a healthcare provider

Whether mild or serious, any side effects should be reported to a healthcare professional, Dr. McGrath says. Side effects like cardiovascular problems, chest pain, and serotonin syndrome should be addressed right away. Serotonin syndrome is uncommon in patients taking Vyvanse, but it is still possible. This potential and serious drug reaction occurs when the body produces too much serotonin. When left untreated, it can lead to death. “This syndrome is characterized by agitation, increased heart rate, seizures, and tremors,” Dr. McGrath says. If you suspect serotonin syndrome, seek medical advice immediately or go to the emergency room.

It’s normal for different patients to tolerate side effects differently. This variability means that while one patient may experience certain side effects intensely, another might not be affected at all. “If side effects are bothersome or the patient is unable to tolerate the side effects, it’s recommended to call the prescribing provider to discuss alternative medication options or a dose adjustment,” Dr. Giacomin says.

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