How Long Does Vyvanse Stay In Your System? Detection Times in Urine, Blood, Saliva, & Hair
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Key Points
- Vyvanse is usually eliminated from the body within a few days of the last dose
- Dextroamphetamine (the active ingredient in Vyvanse) has an average half-life of 10 to 13 hours
- Detection windows will vary across different types of drug tests, like urine tests, blood tests, saliva tests, and hair follicle tests
- Hydration cannot speed up drug elimination
- Dose, frequency of use, kidney function, and individual metabolism all affect how long Vyvanse stays in a person's system
- A healthcare provider is the best resource for questions about Vyvanse use, side effects, or Vyvanse addiction
Vyvanse is the brand name for lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[1] Dextroamphetamine has an average half-life of about 10 to 13 hours, meaning it takes roughly that long for half of the drug’s active ingredient to leave the bloodstream.[2]
Half-life is the time required for the concentration of the active substance in the body to decrease by half. Depending on the drug test used, traces of Vyvanse and its metabolites can be detectable for anywhere from a day to several months. Individual metabolism, dose, and frequency of use all play a role in these detection times.
How Long Does Vyvanse Stay in Your Body?
Within hours, the body first converts lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) into dextroamphetamine. Blood levels of dextroamphetamine continue to rise for the next several hours before medication effects gradually taper off. A full dose of Vyvanse is usually eliminated within two to three days, though small amounts of metabolites may still linger.
Individual timelines vary depending on doses, how long someone has been taking Vyvanse, and other health conditions, but generally follow this schedule:
|
Time after last dose |
What happens |
|
0 to 2 hours |
Conversion to dextroamphetamine begins |
|
3 to 5 hours |
Blood levels continue rising |
|
8 to 14 hours |
Effects of Vyvanse gradually wear off |
|
2 to 3 days |
Most of the drug is eliminated |
|
Up to several days |
Small amounts of metabolites may still be detectable |
How Long Can Vyvanse Be Detected on a Drug Test?
Vyvanse and its metabolites can be detected across multiple types of drug tests with varying detection windows. Stimulant medications like Vyvanse can be screened for in workplace testing, sports testing, or clinical settings. Understanding the following detection windows can help one prepare for an upcoming test:[3]
- Urine tests: Urine tests are the most common type of stimulant screening and can detect amphetamine and its metabolites for two to five days after the last dose, depending on frequency, dose, and other health concerns.
- Blood tests: Blood testing is more common for measuring how much of a substance is currently active in the bloodstream, vs long-term use. A blood test has the shortest detection window of up to 24 hours after the last dose, depending on frequency, dose, and other health concerns.
- Saliva tests: Saliva testing is most common for workplace and roadside testing settings that can detect Vyvanse for 1-3 days after the last dose, depending on frequency, dose, and other health concerns.
- Hair follicle tests: Hair testing reflects a longer history of substance use more than currently active substances. A hair follicle test has by far the longest detection window, often up to 90 days after the last dose, depending on frequency, dose, and other health concerns.
What Affects How Long Vyvanse Stays in Your System?
There is no single, universal timeline for how long Vyvanse stays in a person’s system, and higher doses generally take longer for the body to fully eliminate. A few common factors that influence how long Vyvanse stays in the system include:[4]
- Frequency of use: Daily use may build up more metabolites over time, extending detection times.
- Age: Metabolism slows with age and can extend drug detection timelines
- Kidney function: Kidneys have a critical role in drug elimination, and those with certain kidney conditions may have a longer elimination time.
- Urine pH: More acidic urine can accelerate drug elimination, while more alkaline urine can slow it down.
- Individual metabolism: Metabolism varies naturally from person to person, and two people taking the same dose may eliminate Vyvanse on different schedules.
How Long Do the Effects of Vyvanse Last vs. How Long Vyvanse Can Be Detected?
How long the medication effects last vs how long the drug can be detected in the bloodstream (resulting in testing positive on a drug test) are two different things. The effects of Vyvanse (improved focus for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) typically last most of the day and taper off before it’s eliminated from your system.
Common timelines for Vyvanse are:[5]
- Medication effects: Usually 10 to 14 hours
- Drug still detectable: Several days depending on test type
Even if it feels like the medication has “worn off,” it may still be detectable on a urine test, saliva test, or hair follicle test days later.
When To Seek Help
If any of the following things happen to you while you are using Vyvanse, you might have developed an addiction to Vyvanse and could benefit from structured stimulant addiction treatment:
- You are experiencing what seems like abnormal side effects from using Vyvanse
- You find yourself consuming more Vyvanse than you were told to consume
- You are stressing over an impending drug test.
- Your Vyvanse is having a longer effect than was anticipated.
- You are experiencing withdrawal from Vyvanse and/or other stimulant medications
- You are worried that either you or someone else you care about could potentially be addicted to or abusing Vyvanse.
Vyvanse is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.[6] This means it’s a medicine with legitimate uses, but because of its potency, it can be misused and result in dependency if it is not used exactly as directed by a healthcare provider. Any modifications to a patient’s Vyvanse dosing schedule should be made only at the discretion of their prescribing healthcare provider.
There are many types of treatment available for people who suffer from addiction caused by stimulant medication, and the best way to treat this kind of addiction involves addressing both the physical and emotional needs of individuals who struggle with this form of addiction.
If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
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Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Vyvanse Remains in the Body
Ritalin has a shorter half-life than Vyvanse and therefore is metabolized much more quickly than Vyvanse, resulting in a shorter detection period for most drug screens.
Sources
[1] Goodman, D. W. (2010). Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), a prodrug stimulant for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. P&T, 35(5), 273–287. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2873712/
[2] Drugs.com. (n.d.). How long does Vyvanse stay in your system? https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-vyvanse-stay-system-3542662/
[3] Hadland, S. E., & Levy, S. (2016). Objective testing: Urine and other drug tests. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25(3), 549–565. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4920965/
[4] [Unable to verify — see note below] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022354916328817
[5][8] Shoptaw, S. J., Kao, U., Heinzerling, K., & Ling, W. (2009). Treatment for amphetamine withdrawal. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2009(2), CD003021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7138250/
[6] Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug scheduling. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[7] Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023). FDA approves multiple generics of ADHD and BED treatment. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-multiple-generics-adhd-and-bed-treatment
