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Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is a central nervous stimulant (CNS) used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This page will give you general information about lisdexamfetamine. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about your situation and whether this medication is for you.

  • Medication name

    Lisdexamfetamine (‘LIS-dex-AM-fet-a-MEAN’)

  • Brand names

    Elvanse

    Elvanse Adult

  • Medication type

    Central nervous stimulant

About lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is an inactive ‘prodrug’ of dexamfetamine. After taking lisdexamfetamine, it is absorbed from the stomach into the blood, where red blood cells then change it into dexamfetamine.

Lisdexamfetamine is a central nervous stimulant (CNS). It can also be called a dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. This describes how it works in the brain.

Lisdexamfetamine stimulates parts of the brain that are underactive in people with ADHD, like the bits involved with concentration. It might seem odd that you would use a stimulant as a treatment for hyperactivity, but in people with ADHD, stimulant medicines do not make them more active as they do in other people. Instead, these medicines will help to improve concentration, ability to focus, and help with behaviour and other activities such as the ability to plan, organise time, manage emotions and make decisions.

Dopamine and noradrenaline are a naturally occurring chemical messengers (or ‘neurotransmitters’) that have an important role in areas of the brain that control mood, thinking, feelings, emotions, and perception. Lisdexamfetamine works by blocking noradrenaline and dopamine from being taken back up into the nerve cells in the brain after being released.

Lisdexamfetamine (once converted to dexamfetamine) also mimics the action of these two chemicals, acting as a substitute. This results in higher levels of noradrenaline and dopamine between the nerve cells and allows these chemicals to hang around for longer.

With higher levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain, many other effects occur in different parts of the body, including the heart, the gut, and the lungs. Overall, this leads to the good effects of the medicine, but can also produce unwanted side effects.

Lisdexamfetamine is a 'controlled drug'

This is because there is an increased risk of the medicine being supplied or sold illegally and misused.

Lisdexamfetamine is a stimulant, so some people want to use it as a drug to get high or as a ‘performance-enhancer’ to help them work harder or revise for exams. There is little or no evidence to show that this works, and it could cause serious side effects if taken by people who are not prescribed this medicine.

Sometimes people taking lisdexamfetamine from their doctor may be targeted at school and bullied to give away or sell their medicine.
If someone is asking you to give away or sell your medicine, please ask your parent, teacher or doctor to help you. Never share (or sell) your medicine to anyone else- this is dangerous and illegal.

If you must take it to school, check with your teachers how to keep your medicine safe until you need it.

There are special rules and laws for how controlled drugs are prescribed.

  • The doctor must write extra information on the prescription, like the total amount needed in words and figures to make it harder for a genuine prescription to be altered.
  • A prescription for lisdexamfetamine must be dispensed by the pharmacy and collected within 28 days of the prescription being written. Other prescriptions for medication that isn’t a controlled drug are valid for up to six months.
  • You cannot get an emergency supply of lisdexamfetamine without a prescription.

Lisdexamfetamine and everyday life

Information and safety considerations

Your doctor will consider any other medical conditions or symptoms you have before recommending a medicine for you.

Your medicine will come with a ‘patient information leaflet’. It’s important that you read this information. Speak to your pharmacist if:

  • you’re not given a leaflet
  • you don’t understand the information
  • you need it in a different format or language
  • you’re concerned about something you’ve read

The information leaflet also includes a list of warnings and precautions to consider before you take the medicine. If you think that any of these apply to you and are concerned that your doctor is not already aware of them, check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take your medication (or as soon as possible if you are already taking it).

Uses, warnings, safety and side effects

Taking lisdexamfetamine

Warnings and safety

Side effects and your health

More on medications

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About this information

The information on this page was reviewed by the College of Mental Health Pharmacy in September 2024.

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