Also known as: Elvanse (UK), Venvanse (EU), lisdexamfetamine (generic)
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a long-acting stimulant medication prescribed for ADHD. It is a prodrug that your body converts into d-amphetamine gradually, producing a smoother onset and longer coverage than immediate-release stimulants. ADHDose models your Vyvanse concentration in real time so you can see where you are in the medication cycle at any point through the day.
Vyvanse is a prodrug. Unlike immediate-release stimulants that enter your bloodstream directly, lisdexamfetamine must be converted by enzymes in your body into d-amphetamine before it becomes active. This conversion happens gradually, which is what gives Vyvanse its characteristically smooth onset and extended duration.
After you take your dose, levels begin to rise. Many people notice the onset within the first hour or two, though peak concentration is reached around 3 to 4 hours after dosing. From that peak, levels decline steadily over the remainder of the day.
This rise-and-fall profile means your experience of the medication changes throughout the day. The morning may feel different from the afternoon. Understanding where you are in that cycle at any given moment can help you plan around it rather than react to it.
These times are approximate and vary with dose, individual metabolism, food intake, and other factors. The pattern, however, is consistent: a gradual rise, a sustained peak, and a long taper.
Vyvanse and Elvanse are the same medication. Vyvanse is the brand name used in the United States and Canada. Elvanse is the brand name used in the UK. Venvanse is the brand name used in several EU countries. The active ingredient (lisdexamfetamine), available doses, and mechanism of action are identical across all three.
If you see information online referring to Elvanse, it applies to Vyvanse as well. The pharmacokinetic profile, the duration of action, and the way the medication interacts with food and metabolism are the same.
Because Vyvanse has a long duration of action, the medication is still pharmacologically active in the evening. This can make it harder to wind down for sleep, particularly if you take your dose later in the morning.
How late your medication remains active depends on your dose, when you took it, and your individual metabolism. ADHDose models this for you, showing when your levels have eased enough to start winding down. Tracking both your dose timing and sleep quality over 14 days reveals the personal relationship between the two.
If sleep difficulty persists, the most effective adjustment is taking your dose earlier in the morning. Even a small shift can make a noticeable difference to your evening. This is a conversation worth having with your prescriber, ideally supported by data showing the pattern.
Vyvanse titration typically starts at 30mg and increases in steps based on your response. The most common dose range is 30mg to 70mg, with 70mg being the maximum recommended dose.
Each dose level is usually maintained for at least a few weeks before a review. Your prescriber will balance effectiveness against side effects to find the right level. Keeping a record of how each dose level affects your focus, sleep, appetite, and daily patterns makes these reviews significantly more productive.
ADHDose recalibrates with each dose change. When your dose is adjusted during titration, the concentration curve updates to reflect the new level. Everything you logged on the previous dose stays intact, so you can compare how different doses performed for you over time.
Vyvanse can be taken with or without food. Food does not significantly affect the total amount of medication absorbed, but it can slightly delay the time to peak concentration. Some people find that taking it with breakfast reduces the likelihood of stomach discomfort. Others prefer taking it on an empty stomach for a marginally faster onset.
ADHDose adjusts your curve based on whether you log your dose as taken with food or on an empty stomach, so you can see the difference for yourself over time.
ADHDose models your Vyvanse concentration through the day based on your dose and when you took it. You can see where you are in the medication cycle at any point and when your levels have eased enough to start winding down for sleep.
During titration, this is especially useful. Each time your dose changes, ADHDose recalibrates. Everything you logged on the previous dose stays intact, so you can compare how different dose levels performed for you.
After 14 days of logging, the Insights tab starts revealing patterns: how your dose timing, sleep, and daily experience interact. These are the correlations that are invisible day-to-day but become clear over time.
See your concentration curve in real time. Know when you peak, when you wear off, and when you can wind down. Free to download.
Download free →This page is for informational purposes only. ADHDose is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your prescribing doctor or specialist before making changes to your medication.