Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and certain eating disorders. If you have been prescribed Vyvanse, you may wonder if it is safe to consume alcohol at the same time. In general, health professionals advise against mixing Vyvanse with alcohol due to the range of adverse effects that can result from using both substances together.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Vyvanse?
Vyvanse acts as a stimulant, raising and speeding up overall body activity, while alcohol is a depressant, slowing down bodily functions. Because these two substances have opposite effects, using them at the same time can be risky, potentially producing severe or even life-threatening outcomes. Due to these concerns, most medical experts recommend avoiding the co-use of Vyvanse and alcohol.
How Long After Taking Vyvanse Can You Safely Drink?
Vyvanse generally leaves your bloodstream within 24 hours, suggesting you can often drink alcohol safely if you wait more than a full day after taking Vyvanse. However, if you are prescribed Vyvanse on a daily basis, you may not have a 24-hour window free of the medication before taking your next dose. It is important to consult your doctor about your individual circumstances before deciding to drink alcohol while on Vyvanse. In many cases, medical professionals will advise complete abstinence from alcohol during treatment.
Reasons Why People Mix Vyvanse and Alcohol
There are a few reasons someone might mix Vyvanse with alcohol:
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- Offsetting Alcohol’s Depressant Effects: Since Vyvanse boosts alertness, some people mix it with alcohol in an attempt to feel less intoxicated.
- Desire To Get “High”: Others might combine these substances hoping for an intensified euphoric experience.
Despite any perceived benefits, combining a stimulant and a depressant can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Potential Dangers of Mixing Vyvanse and Alcohol
One of the most significant risks of combining Vyvanse and alcohol is that Vyvanse can mask how much alcohol you’ve consumed. This can lead to a false sense of sobriety, increasing the likelihood of binge drinking or ignoring important safety cues. Research also shows that using Vyvanse alongside alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase cardiac activity, potentially raising the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Side Effects of Vyvanse and Alcohol
Both substances produce their own set of side effects, often working in opposite ways inside the body. When taken together, these conflicting effects can pose considerable health risks.
Vyvanse
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
If you find these side effects concerning or unmanageable, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Alcohol
- Relaxed, uninhibited state
- Reduced coordination
- Difficulty walking
- Decreased attention and memory
- Slurred speech
- Slower reaction time
- Confusion
- Sleepiness
- Diminished responsiveness
Seek immediate medical care if you or someone else experiences severe responsiveness issues or breathing difficulties while under the influence of alcohol. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call 911 right away.
Additional Health Complications
Combining Vyvanse and alcohol not only poses immediate side effects but may also bring long-term health hazards. These risks are amplified when Vyvanse conceals the effects of alcohol, causing further damage as a person may consume more alcohol than normal or fail to recognize their increasing level of impairment.
Alcohol Poisoning
This is one of the most critical dangers, as Vyvanse can blunt alcohol’s depressant effects, making you feel less intoxicated. Because of this, you may inadvertently consume more alcohol than your body can handle, increasing the likelihood of overdose. Alcohol poisoning can halt breathing or lead to severe organ damage and even death. If someone appears unresponsive or shows signs of respiratory distress after drinking, seek emergency help immediately.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Both Vyvanse and alcohol can elevate blood pressure, and using them together can cause especially high or unstable blood pressure readings. High blood pressure places significant stress on blood vessels and can contribute to life-threatening events like stroke or heart attack if left unchecked.
Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeat)
Long-term alcohol consumption can heighten the risk of arrhythmias, and Vyvanse also carries a notable risk in this regard. When combined, these substances can exacerbate abnormal heart rhythms. Some arrhythmias may not present noticeable symptoms, while others may be immediately fatal. Mixing Vyvanse and alcohol raises the chance of dangerous arrhythmias that typically require medical monitoring to detect and treat.
Liver Damage
Misusing either Vyvanse or alcohol can damage the liver. Taking both together can magnify this harmful impact, especially since Vyvanse can encourage heavier alcohol use by masking how drunk you truly are. This scenario can speed up liver damage beyond what either substance alone would cause.
Cognitive Problems
Both alcohol and Vyvanse have the potential to induce psychosis when taken in significant amounts, with the risk escalating when both substances are used concurrently. Psychosis involves a break from reality and can manifest more readily when these substances are combined. Long-term or heavy use of either substance can also impair overall cognitive functioning, including memory and learning. Mixing them only intensifies these risks.
Anxiety and Depression
Excessive or prolonged alcohol use can promote the development of mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Because Vyvanse can also influence mood, these issues can become more pronounced when the two drugs are combined, leading to worsened emotional stability.
Vyvanse and Alcohol Abuse
Both alcohol and Vyvanse carry a significant risk for misuse. Individuals may combine these substances to achieve a more pronounced “high,” but in doing so, they jeopardize their health and increase the risk of addiction. Even if addiction has not already taken hold, using these substances together raises the likelihood that tolerance or dependence on one or both will develop. Those who are addicted to alcohol or Vyvanse may also feel compelled to conceal their usage or lie about how frequently they are using.
Treatment for Alcohol and Vyvanse Addiction
Recovering from an addiction to alcohol, Vyvanse, or both usually calls for professional intervention. The earliest step in most treatment programs is medical detox, which involves letting the substances naturally leave the body while medical professionals help manage withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing from alcohol, in particular, can pose risks of severe complications if not supervised.
Following detox, rehabilitation focuses on learning and implementing strategies to remain substance-free. Methods may include individual counseling, group therapy, medication management, and holistic approaches, all aiming to maintain abstinence and prevent relapse.
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