Why Trust Recovery Guide According to a study from seven different Georgia colleges, more than 45 percent of students that used prescription stimulants, like Vyvanse, Ritalin (methylphenidate), and Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), did so without a prescription or a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The data, published in 2020, supports previous research that students have been abusing prescription stimulants across the country at an alarming rate.
Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants seem to be the prescription drug that is most popular on college campuses across the nation. Students mainly report using these drugs to study for tests, but also use prescription stimulants to stay awake and party, commonly mixing these drugs with alcohol.
It has also become popular to snort these medications. However, crushing up a stimulant and snorting the powder up the nose (also called insufflation) can have terrible side effects and dangerous outcomes. Vyvanse is one of the prescription stimulants that has healthcare providers and addiction specialists concerned.
What Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is the brand name of a prodrug stimulant medication, also known by the generic name lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. A prodrug is a medication that metabolizes into an active medication after being ingested, instead of being active immediately in the body. Once metabolized by enzymes, Vyvanse transforms into l-lysine and dextroamphetamine. Dextroamphetamine is one of the active ingredients in Adderall, another stimulant ADHD medication.
Vyvanse treats symptoms of ADHD, as well as binge eating disorders. Vyvanse increases the concentration levels of two neurotransmitters in the brain (norepinephrine and dopamine), which results in therapeutic effects (ex. ability to focus). Several CNS stimulant drugs are classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as Schedule II controlled substances, including Vyvanse. Abusing Schedule II drugs places a person at high risk for addiction.
Why People Snort Vyvanse
Vyvanse is a prescription medication that doctors prescribe to help people with ADHD focus better. However, some people misuse it by snorting it instead of taking it as prescribed. People may snort Vyvanse because they think it will make the drug work faster or feel stronger.
When someone snorts a medication, it goes directly into their bloodstream through their nose, which can create a faster high than swallowing a pill. This can be especially appealing to people facing substance use disorder, since they’re looking for that immediate rush.
Snorting Vyvanse is dangerous and can cause serious health problems. When people snort medications, they risk damaging the tissues inside their nose, getting nosebleeds, and developing infections. Snorting Vyvanse can also lead to a faster heartbeat, high blood pressure, and other heart problems. Additionally, misusing prescription drugs like this can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death. That’s why it’s important to take medications only as a doctor prescribes them and reach out to a campus counselor or healthcare provider if you or someone you know is battling drug misuse.
Side Effects Of Snorting Vyvanse
When people misuse drugs by snorting them, their bodies pay a serious price. Snorting prescription medications like Vyvanse bypasses the normal way your body is supposed to process the drug, which can cause unexpected and harmful reactions. Because the drug enters your system so quickly and intensely, the risks are much greater than taking it as prescribed.
Some of the side effects of snorting Vyvanse:
- perforations in the septum
- damage to mucous membranes
- loss of sense of smell
- diarrhea or constipation
- infections in nasal passages, throat, or lungs
- respiratory distress (due to inhaling powder)
- breakdown of the roof of the mouth
- increased overdose potential
- hives
- swelling of face
- uncontrolled shaking
- chest pain
- pounding heart
- blood pressure changes
- personality changes
- questionable behaviors
- fainting
- flushed skin
- seizures
- blurred vision
- heart attack
- sudden death
The reality is that snorting Vyvanse can destroy your body in multiple ways at once. The immediate damage to your nose and throat is just the beginning. The drug’s powerful effect on your heart and brain can be life-threatening.
Vyvanse Overdose
Abusing any drug puts a person at risk for an overdose. Vyvanse overdose can happen at any time, even the first time.
Because Vyvanse is a prodrug, its effects take longer to onset than immediate-release stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin. Someone who snorts Vyvanse and doesn’t feel effects quickly may assume they haven’t taken enough and take more. This can leave them unaware that a significant amount is still being absorbed, causing a pattern of redosing that increases overdose risk.
Vyvanse is not instantly metabolized, meaning it can take longer to “kick in” than other stimulants. If a person is used to the nearly instant effects of snorting Ritalin or Adderall, they may assume they haven’t snorted enough Vyvanse, and take higher doses. Having too much Vyvanse in the system can result in overdose.
Symptoms of a Vyvanse overdose include:
- hyperventilating
- vomiting
- confusion
- panic
- seizures
- coma or death
If you or someone else shows signs of a Vyvanse overdose, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait to see if symptoms get better on their own, overdoses can be life-threatening and require emergency medical care right away. Tell the medical professionals exactly what drug was taken and how it was used so they can provide the best treatment.
Risk Of Fentanyl Contamination
People snorting pills obtained outside a pharmacy face an additional risk of fentanyl contamination. This is because counterfeit stimulant pills are increasingly pressed with fentanyl, which has no smell or taste and can’t be detected visually.
Unlike Vyvanse, fentanyl depresses breathing rather than stimulating the body, meaning the reaction can be completely unexpected. Fentanyl test strips are the only reliable way to check before use.
Vyvanse Abuse And Addiction Treatment Options
Seeking a treatment program for prescription drug abuse usually reveals a number of options. Whether it is an inpatient or outpatient treatment center, the intended result is to find a new path into a sober future for you or your loved one.
If Vyvanse misuse is accompanied by severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or panic attacks, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline immediately to receive free, confidential support available around the clock.
For students whose Vyvanse misuse began with self-medicating concentration difficulties, an ADHD evaluation as part of treatment can be valuable. Undiagnosed ADHD is a common driver of stimulant misuse among college students, and treating it appropriately through medically supervised prescribing can reduce the compulsion to misuse stimulants.
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- Food and Drug Administration — Vyvanse Prescribing Information
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/208510lbl.pdf