Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat binge eating disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

As with other medications, Vyvanse can interact with certain supplements and other drugs. However, it’s not known to interact with alcohol or foods. An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

For more about Vyvanse’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information about Vyvanse, including details about its uses, see this article.

In some cases, a factor or condition could prevent your doctor from prescribing Vyvanse due to the risk of harm. This is known as a contraindication. The contraindications of Vyvanse include:

Having recently taken or currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Before taking Vyvanse, be sure to tell your doctor if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). This is a type of antidepressant. You should also tell them if you’ve stopped taking an MAOI within the past 2 weeks.

Taking Vyvanse with an MAOI can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome. (This condition is caused by a high level of the chemical serotonin in the body.) Serotonin syndrome can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, confusion, and hallucinations.

In addition, taking Vyvanse with an MAOI can cause severely high blood pressure.

Below are examples of MAOIs that may interact with Vyvanse:

  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • selegiline (Emsam)
  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • linezolid (Zyvox)
  • methylene blue (ProvayBlue)

Due to this interaction, doctors typically will not prescribe Vyvanse with an MAOI. If you’re taking an MAOI, your doctor will likely have you wait at least 2 weeks after stopping treatment before you start taking Vyvanse.

Having had an allergic reaction to Vyvanse or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Vyvanse or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vyvanse. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Vyvanse, it’s important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Vyvanse.

There’s no known interaction between Vyvanse and alcohol. However, it may be safest to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Vyvanse.

Vyvanse and alcohol work in opposite ways. Vyvanse activates your central nervous system, while alcohol slows it down. (The CNS helps regulate thinking, actions, breathing, and more.) This means that Vyvanse and alcohol could conceal each other’s effects.

As a result, taking Vyvanse could make it hard to keep track of the amount of alcohol you’ve had. Consuming alcohol during Vyvanse treatment could also make it hard to tell whether Vyvanse is working to treat your condition. For example, if Vyvanse doesn’t seem to be relieving your symptoms, it could be due to alcohol or a different factor.

Keep in mind that if you have alcohol use disorder, doctors typically will not prescribe Vyvanse due to the risk of misuse and dependence. In fact, Vyvanse has a boxed warning about the risk. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see “Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence” at the top of this article.

If you have questions about alcohol and Vyvanse, talk with your doctor.

Before starting treatment with Vyvanse, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a chart of drugs that can interact with Vyvanse. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that may interact with Vyvanse. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

Drug class or drug nameDrug examplesInteraction result with Vyvanse
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)*• isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• selegiline (Emsam)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• methylene blue (ProvayBlue)
can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and MAOIs
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)fluoxetine (Prozac)
sertraline (Zoloft)
• citalopram (Celexa)
can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and SSRIs
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and SNRIs
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)• imipramine (Tofranil)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor)
amitriptyline
can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and TCAs
triptans• rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and triptans
fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys)can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and fentanyl
lithium (Lithobid)can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and lithium
tramadol (ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram)can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and tramadol
buspironecan increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse† and buspirone
acetazolamidecan increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse†

* For details about this interaction, see the “When to avoid Vyvanse” section above.
† To learn about side effects of Vyvanse, see this article.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Vyvanse.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant.

Interaction result. Taking Vyvanse with an SSRI can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome as a side effect of both Vyvanse and SSRIs. (Serotonin syndrome is caused by a high level of the chemical serotonin in the body.)

Interaction explained. Both Vyvanse and SSRIs have a risk of serotonin syndrome when taken individually. Therefore, taking Vyvanse and an SSRI together may further increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Examples of SSRI drugs. Below are some SSRIs that may interact with Vyvanse:

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before taking Vyvanse, be sure your doctor knows if you’re taking an SSRI. They can advise you on whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

If your doctor prescribes Vyvanse while you’re taking an SSRI, watch for possible symptoms of serotonin syndrome. These can include nausea and vomiting, confusion, and hallucinations. If you develop these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. They can recommend how to treat your condition.

However, if your symptoms seem severe or life threatening, you should call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Triptans

Triptans are medications used to treat migraine episodes.

Interaction result. Taking Vyvanse with a triptan can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome* as a side effect of both Vyvanse and triptans.

Interaction explained. Serotonin syndrome is a possible side effect of both Vyvanse and triptans. Taking Vyvanse in combination with triptans may further increase your risk of serotonin syndrome.

Examples of triptan drugs. Below are some triptans that may interact with Vyvanse:

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before starting Vyvanse treatment, tell your doctor if you’re taking a triptan drug. They can recommend whether these medications are safe to take together.

If your doctor prescribes Vyvanse with a triptan drug, be on the lookout for symptoms of serotonin syndrome.*

* For details about serotonin syndrome and possible symptoms, see “Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” above.

Tramadol

Tramadol (ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram) is a medication used to treat pain.

Interaction result. Taking Vyvanse and tramadol together can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome* as a side effect of both drugs.

Interaction explained. Both Vyvanse and tramadol have a risk of serotonin syndrome as a side effect. Therefore, taking these medications together could further increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Steps you or your doctor may take. Before you take Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you’re taking tramadol. They can advise you on whether it’s safe to take this combination of medications.

If your doctor prescribes both Vyvanse and tramadol, watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome.*

* For details about serotonin syndrome and possible symptoms, see “Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” above.

Vyvanse may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below.

Vyvanse interactions with supplements

Certain supplements may interact with Vyvanse. These include tryptophan and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). If either supplement is taken with Vyvanse, it can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse. Your doctor can advise you on whether it’s safe to take Vyvanse with these supplements.

Before you start treatment with Vyvanse, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Vyvanse interactions with herbs

The herbal supplement St. John’s wort may interact with Vyvanse. This combination can increase the risk of side effects from Vyvanse. (For information about the side effects of Vyvanse, see this article.)

Before you start taking Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you take St. John’s wort. They may be able to help identify a safer alternative for you.

Vyvanse interactions with vitamins

Vitamin C may lower the level of Vyvanse in your blood. This could make Vyvanse less effective than usual in treating your condition.

If you take products that contain vitamin C, your doctor may prescribe an increased dose of Vyvanse. (For details about Vyvanse’s dosage, see this article.)

Before you start treatment with Vyvanse, tell your doctor and pharmacist which vitamins you take. They can advise you on whether Vyvanse may interact with any of them.

Vyvanse and food

Although sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) supplements* may interact with Vyvanse, there were no reports of food interactions with the drug.

The amount of baking soda in food, such as baked goods, is usually small. The food is also often divided into multiple servings. The quantity of baking soda would be much less than what’s in a sodium bicarbonate supplement.

If you have additional questions or want more information about eating certain foods during Vyvanse treatment, talk with your doctor.

* To learn more, see “Vyvanse interactions with supplements” above.

Vyvanse and vaccines

No vaccines have been reported to interact with Vyvanse. For more information about getting certain vaccines while you take Vyvanse, talk with your doctor.

Vyvanse and lab tests

Lab tests and Vyvanse have not been reported to interact with each other. If you’re interested in learning more about having certain lab tests during Vyvanse treatment, talk with your doctor.

Vyvanse and cannabis or CBD

Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Vyvanse. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before taking cannabis in combination with Vyvanse. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Vyvanse treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Vyvanse. Before you take Vyvanse, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Vyvanse may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Vyvanse include:

Heart problems, including high blood pressure. Before taking Vyvanse, tell your doctor if you or a family member has certain heart problems. Examples include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and irregular heart rate or rhythm.

Vyvanse may cause certain heart problems, such as increased heart rate. Your risk of these side effects may be higher than usual if you already have heart problems or a family history of heart problems. Your doctor will advise whether it’s safe to take Vyvanse.

Problems with circulation. Before starting Vyvanse treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you or a family member has circulation problems. Vyvanse can cause problems with circulation, such as Raynaud’s syndrome. As a result, the drug could worsen your condition. Your doctor can advise you on whether it’s safe to take Vyvanse.

Kidney problems. Before taking Vyvanse, you should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, such as kidney failure. This condition could cause the level of Vyvanse to build up in your body, which may increase your risk of side effects from the drug. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may adjust your Vyvanse dosage. They may also watch you closely for side effects from Vyvanse. For more information about the side effects of Vyvanse, see this article.

Mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder or psychosis. Before starting Vyvanse treatment, tell your doctor if you or a family member has a mental health condition. Examples include bipolar disorder and psychosis. This is because Vyvanse can increase the risk of certain mental health conditions such as psychosis and mania.

The risk of these side effects may be higher than usual in people who already have these conditions or have a family member with these conditions. Your doctor can talk with you about your risk of these side effects.

Pregnancy. It’s not known whether Vyvanse is safe to use while pregnant. If you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Vyvanse. They can advise you on the risks and benefits of taking the drug while pregnant. For details about the use of Vyvanse during pregnancy, see this article.

Breastfeeding. It may not be safe to breastfeed while taking Vyvanse. Vyvanse can pass into breast milk, which could cause side effects in a breastfed child. To learn more about taking Vyvanse while breastfeeding, see this article.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vyvanse or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vyvanse. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Vyvanse and possible interactions.

Does Vyvanse interact with Xanax?

There’s no known interaction between Vyvanse and alprazolam (Xanax).

However, your doctor may not prescribe Vyvanse with Xanax. This is because Vyvanse and Xanax work in opposite ways in your body. Vyvanse activates your central nervous system (CNS), while Xanax slows it down. (The CNS helps regulate thinking, actions, breathing, and more.)

Taking Xanax during Vyvanse treatment could make it hard to know whether either drug is working to treat your condition. For example, if your symptoms aren’t easing with Vyvanse, that could be due to Xanax or a different factor.

If you have additional questions about Vyvanse and Xanax, talk with your doctor.

Do Vyvanse and phentermine interact?

Vyvanse and phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira) are not known to interact with each other.

However, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Vyvanse in combination with phentermine. Phentermine is a stimulant drug that’s used for weight loss. Vyvanse is also a stimulant drug. Taking these medications together could increase your risk of side effects from both medications.

To learn more about Vyvanse and phentermine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take Vyvanse with a pain reliever such as Tylenol or Aleve?

There’s no known interaction between Vyvanse and acetaminophen (Tylenol) or naproxen (Aleve). Both Tylenol and Aleve work in the body to help ease pain and reduce fever.

If you have additional questions about taking Vyvanse with other medications such as Tylenol or Aleve, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there an interaction between Vyvanse and Benadryl?

Vyvanse is not known to interact with diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

Vyvanse and Benadryl work in opposite ways in your body. Vyvanse is a stimulant, meaning it activates your CNS. Benadryl, on the other hand, is a depressant, so it slows down your CNS. Taking Vyvanse with Benadryl could make it difficult to know whether either drug is working to treat your condition. For example, if Vyvanse does not seem to be relieving your symptoms, that could be due to Benadryl or a different factor.

Your doctor or pharmacist can help answer other questions you may have about Vyvanse and Benadryl.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Vyvanse. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol* or take cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Vyvanse label and other paperwork that comes with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the prescribing information, may contain details about interactions. If this information is difficult to understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist to help explain it.

You can also help prevent interactions with Vyvanse by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

* If you have alcohol use disorder, doctors typically will not prescribe Vyvanse due to the risk of misuse and dependence. In fact, Vyvanse has a boxed warning about the risk. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see “Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence” at the top of this article.

Besides learning about interactions, you may want to find out more about Vyvanse. These resources might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.