What is Dyanavel XR?
Dyanavel XR (Generic Name: amphetamine) is an extended-release tablet or liquid stimulant medication primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6-12, adolescents, and adults. It is useful for patients who can’t or don’t like to swallow pills. According to the FDA, Dyanavel XR is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. It is an amphetamine.
Dyanavel XR may improve focus, and decrease impulsivity and hyperactive behavior, hallmark symptoms in some patients with ADHD. It has not been studied in children under the age of 6.
How Do You Use Dyanavel XR?
Before starting or refilling a Dyanavel XR prescription, read the medication guide included with your pills, as it may be updated with new information.
This guide should not replace a conversation with your doctor, who has a holistic view of your or your child’s medical history, other diagnoses, and other prescriptions. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you begin taking the medication.
What Is the Dosage for Dyanavel XR?
As with all medications, follow your Dyanavel XR prescription instructions exactly. Dyanavel XR is taken orally, once daily in the morning with or without food.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Shake the bottle well for at least 10 seconds, and then measure the medicine with the included syringe. The time-release formulation is designed to maintain a steady level of medication in your body throughout the day.
Dyanavel XR is available in liquid formulations and extended-release oral tablets.
The optimal dosage varies by patient; it is not determined by age, weight, or height, but rather by how a person metabolizes the medication. If you or your child has kidney problems, your doctor may recommend a lower dose.
Your doctor may adjust your prescribed dose of Dyanavel XR until you or your child experiences the best response – that is, the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects. If you or your child exceeds the prescribed daily dosage, call your doctor or poison control, or seek emergency medical care.
During treatment, your doctor may periodically ask you to stop taking your Dyanavel XR so that they can monitor ADHD symptoms; check vital statistics including heart, and blood pressure; or evaluate height and weight. If any problems are found, your doctor may recommend discontinuing treatment.
After long-term usage, some patients develop a tolerance to Dyanavel XR. If you notice that your current dosage is no longer controlling symptoms, talk to your doctor to plan a course of action.
For updated information about dosages, interactions, and precautions, see the Dyanavel XR drug monograph on WebMD.
What Side Effects Are Associated with Dyanavel XR?
The most common side effects of Dyanavel XR are similar to those associated with other amphetamine medications and are as follows: dry mouth, decreased appetite, weight loss, stomach pain, nausea, trouble sleeping, restlessness, extreme mood changes, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
Other serious side effects include new or exacerbated heart and mental problems. Taking Dyanavel XR may impair your or your teenager’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This side effect usually wears off with time. There has been some concern that stimulants may cause a slowing of growth in children and adolescents, however research findings are mixed. Some studies show no impact on growth at all,1 while others find what is considered “negligible” slowing of growth.2 If you find evidence of suppressed growth in your child, talk to your doctor about what steps might help. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor.
Most people taking this medication do not experience any of these side effects.
Report to your doctor any heart-related problems or a family history of heart and blood pressure problems. Patients with structural cardiac abnormalities and other serious heart problems have experienced sudden death, stroke, and heart attack while taking Dyanavel XR. Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Physicians should monitor these vital signs closely during treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Dyanavel XR.
Also, disclose to your physician all mental health issues including any family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. Dyanavel XR may create new or exacerbate existing behavior or mental problems, bipolar illness, or psychotic symptoms including but not limited to hearing voices, believing things that aren’t true, or manic symptoms. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences new or worsening mental health symptoms including hallucinations or sudden suspicions.
Discuss circulation problems with your doctor before taking Dyanavel XR, which has been known to cause numbness, coolness, or pain in fingers or toes, including Raynaud’s phenomenon. Report to your doctor any new blood-flow problems, pain, skin color changes, or sensitivities to temperature while taking Dyanavel XR.
Dynvael XR can rarely lead to life-threatening serotonin syndrome, or toxicity, especially when co-administered with serotonergic agents like SSRIs or SNRIs. If you experience changes in mental status, coordination problems, muscle twitching, racing heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, sweating, vomiting or diarrhea, seek medical help immediately.
Amphetamines like Dyanavel XR have a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially among people who do not have ADHD. It is a “Schedule II Stimulant,” a designation that the Drug Enforcement Agency uses for drugs with a high potential for abuse. Other Schedule II drugs include Dexedrine, Ritalin, Adderall XR, and cocaine. People with a history of drug abuse should use caution when trying this medication. Taking the medication exactly as prescribed can reduce potential for abuse.
The above is not a complete list of potential side effects. If you notice any health changes not listed above, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
What Precautions Are Associated with Dyanavel XR?
Store Dyanavel XR in a secure place out of reach of children, and at room temperature. Do not share your Dyanavel XR prescription with anyone, even another person with ADHD. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm.
You should not take Dyanavel XR if you are allergic to amphetamines, or have taken an antidepressant monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the past 14 days. This can cause a serious drug interaction.
You should use caution taking alkalinizing or acidifying agents while taking Dyanavel XR. They can change the blood levels of amphetamine and impact dosage.
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, discuss the use of Dyanavel XR with your doctor. Animal studies indicate a potential risk of fetal harm. Dyanavel XR is passed through breastmilk, so it is recommended that mothers do not nurse while taking it.
The effects of Dyanavel XR on the elderly have not been studied.
What Interactions Are Associated with Dyanavel XR?
Before taking Dyanavel XR, discuss all other active prescription medications with your doctor. Amphetamines can have a dangerous, possibly fatal interaction with antidepressants including MAOIs.
Exercise caution with medicines that are known to interact with amphetamines, including antipsychotics, lithium, narcotic pain medicines, seizure medications, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, stomach acid medications — like antacids — and cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants. Even over-the-counter medications may contain ingredients that raise or lower the level of the medication in your blood to a dangerous level. Speak with your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medications you take.
Share a list of all vitamin or herbal supplements, and prescription and non-prescription medications you take with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription, and let all doctors and physicians know you are taking Dyanavel XR before having any surgery or laboratory tests. The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions.
Dyanavel XR and ADHD Medications: More Information
- A Parent’s Guide to ADHD Medications
- Free Download: Take Charge of Your Child’s Medication
- Free Resource: How Do We Know the Medication Is Working?
Sources:
1Pediatrics (2014.) “ADHD, Stimulant Treatment, and Growth: A Longitudinal Study.” https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/134/4/e935/77034/ADHD-Stimulant-Treatment-and-Growth-A-Longitudinal
2Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2019.) “Trajectories of Growth Associated With Long-Term Stimulant Medication in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(19)31443-1/fulltext
http://dyanavelxr.com/
http://www.dyanavelxr.com/pdfs/medguide.pdf
http://www.dyanavelxr.com/pdfs/pi.pdf
