Patient leaflet - Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate 50 mg hard capsules
1. What Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is and what it is used for
What Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate contains the active substance lisdexamfetamine dimesylate which helps with your brain activity. It helps improve your attention, helps you concentrate and makes you less impulsive. Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is a long-acting medicine which works gradually over a 13-hour time period.
What it is used for
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is a part of a comprehensive treatment programme for ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’ (ADHD):
for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who have previously taken
a methylphenidate treatment that inadequately treated their ADHD
for adults who have had ADHD since childhood. If you have not been treated for ADHD
before, the doctor will check if you have had ADHD since childhood before prescribing Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after one month of treatment. Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is not recommended for all patients with ADHD and the decision to use this medicine is based on a thorough medical evaluation. Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is not used as a treatment for ADHD in children under 6 years of age because it is not known if it is safe or of benefit in such young people. How it works
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate improves the activity of certain parts of the brain which are under-active. The medicine can help improve attention, concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour.
The medicine is given as part of a treatment programme, which usually includes the following:
- psychological therapy
- educational therapy
- social therapy
- behavioural therapy
- occupational therapy.
It is prescribed only by doctors who have experience in treating people with behaviour problems.
About ADHD
People with ADHD find it hard to:
- sit still
- concentrate.
It is not their fault that they cannot do these things. However, ADHD can cause problems
with everyday life. Children and young people with ADHD may have difficulty learning and doing homework. They find it hard to behave well at home, at school or in other places. ADHD does not affect the intelligence of a person.
2. What you need to know before you take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Do NOT take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate if you:
are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, other amfetamine compounds or any of the other
ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
are taking a medicine called a ‘monoamine oxidase inhibitor’ (MAOI) used for depression,
or have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days
- have a thyroid problem
- feel unusually excited, over-active, or un-inhibited
have ever had heart problems - such as a heart attack, uneven heartbeat, pain and
discomfort in the chest, heart failure, heart disease or were born with a heart problem
- have high or very high blood pressure or narrowing of the blood vessels
- have increased pressure in your eye (glaucoma)
have a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour that usually grows in the
adrenal glands which are above your kidneys).
Do not take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate. This is because Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate can make these problems worse. Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate treatment if you have:
- ever abused prescription medicines or street drugs
- had kidney problems
- had fits (seizures, convulsions, epilepsy) or any abnormal brain scans (EEGs)
hard-to-control and repeated twitching of any parts of the body or you repeat sounds
and words
- high blood pressure
family or medical history of irregular heart rhythm (visible on an electrocardiogram), or if
you have a disease and/or take a treatment that make(s) you prone to heartbeat irregularities or salt imbalances
- a heart problem which is not in the ‘Do not take’ section above
- a history of stroke
a mental health problem. These may include:
- mood swings (from being manic to being depressed - called ‘bipolar disorder’)
- starting to be aggressive or unfriendly (hostile), or your aggression gets worse
- seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
- believing things that are not true (delusions)
- feeling unusually suspicious (paranoia)
- feeling agitated, anxious or tense
- feeling depressed or guilty.
Or if you are a female able to become pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are pregnant (see the ‘Pregnancy and breast-feeding’ section).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the above applies to you before starting treatment. This is because Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate can make these problems worse. Your doctor will want to monitor how the medicine affects you.
If Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is not used properly, it may cause abnormal behaviour and the user may start to depend on the medicine. Tell your doctor if you or your child have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs. Do not give this medicine to anyone else even if the symptoms seem similar.
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate may cause heart rhythm disorders in some patients. If you experience palpitations or irregular heartbeat during the period of treatment, you should inform your doctor immediately. The risk of heart problems may increase with increase of the dose. Therefore, the recommended dosage should be followed.
Checks that your doctor will make before you start taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
These checks are to decide if Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is the correct medicine for you. Your doctor will ask you about:
- any other medicines you are taking
- whether there is any family history of sudden unexplained death
- any other medical problems (such as heart problems) that you or your family may have
how you are feeling, such as feeling happy or sad, having strange thoughts, or if you
have had any of these feelings in the past
whether there is a family history of ‘tics’ (hard-to-control, repeated twitching of any parts
of the body or repeating sounds and words)
any mental health or behaviour problems you or other family members have ever had.
Your doctor will check your mental health history, and check if any of your family have a history of suicide, bipolar disorder (mood swings from being manic to being depressed) or depression.
It is important that you provide as much information as you can. This will help your doctor decide if Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is the correct medicine for you. Your doctor may decide that other medical tests are needed before you start taking this medicine. Effects on weight
- Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate may cause reduced weight in some patients.
- There may also be lack of weight gain in children and adolescents.
If you are a child or adolescent, your doctor will carefully watch your height and weight,
as well as how well you are eating.
If you are not growing as expected or if you are losing weight, your doctor may stop
treatment with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
- For adults, your doctor will watch your weight, as well as how well you are eating. Other medicines and Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.
Do NOT take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate if you:
are taking a medicine called a ‘monoamine oxidase inhibitor’ (MAOI) used for depression,
or have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking an MAOI with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate may cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you if are taking a medicine that is an MAOI. Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate and some other medicines can affect each other. If you are taking any of the following medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate:
- medicines for severe mental health problems
medicines used to reduce or increase blood pressure
- medicines used during surgery such as painkillers
- cough and cold remedies. Some of these contain medicines that can affect blood pressure, so it is important to check with your pharmacist when you buy any of these products.
- medicines that can affect the acidity of your urine, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or sodium bicarbonate (for example in medicines for indigestion).
If you are unsure about whether the medicines you are taking are in the list above, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
Drug testing
This medicine may give a positive result when testing for drug use.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Your body breaks down lisdexamfetamine dimesylate into other substances which can cross the placenta and enter breast milk. Available data from the use of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate during the first three months of pregnancy do not indicate increased risk of congenital malformation in the child but may increase the risk for pre-eclampsia (a condition usually occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine) and preterm birth. Newborns exposed to amfetamine during pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms (trembling, irritability, tight muscle tone). You should not use this medicine during pregnancy unless explicitly advised by your doctor, or breast-feed while taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
Driving and using machines
The medicine can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy, or you may have problems focusing or have blurred vision. If these happen it will be dangerous to do things such as drive or use machines.
- Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you.
- It is an offence to drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive.
However, you would not be committing an offence if:
- a doctor has prescribed this medicine for you and
- you have taken it according to his or her instructions, or with the information in this leaflet and
- it was not affecting your ability to drive safely.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether it is safe for you to drive while taking this medicine.
Information about ingredient of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Hard Capsules
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
How much to take
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is only for you. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar.
How to take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate in the morning before breakfast. It can be taken with or without food.
There are two ways to take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate:
- swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water
open the capsule and empty the contents into:
- soft food such as yogurt
a glass of water or orange juice.
Use a spoon to break up any bits and stir the Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate and yogurt, water or orange juice until they are completely mixed together. Eat all the yogurt or drink all the water or orange juice immediately after mixing with Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate. Do not store it. Do not worry if there is a film left in the glass or container afterwards - this is not the active ingredient. Dose
- Your doctor will tell you what strength of capsule to take each day.
- The recommended dose at the start of treatment is 30 mg, but your doctor may decide to start you on 20 mg. Later on your doctor may increase your dose. The maximum daily dose is 70 mg.
- If you have any kidney related problems your doctor may reduce the dose.
- If you are elderly your doctor will study your blood pressure and cardiovascular status before starting and during treatment (see section 2 ‘Do NOT take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate and ‘Warnings and precautions’). Your doctor may also need to reduce the dose.
- Do not split the dose of a capsule; take the entire contents of the capsule. Do not take anything less than one capsule per day.
If you do not feel better after 1 month of treatment
If you do not feel better, tell your doctor. You may need a different treatment. If you are not using Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate properly
- If you use Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate improperly, you may experience abnormal behaviour or you could become dependent on the medicine. Therefore, please tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs before.
If you take more Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate than you should
If you take too much medicine, talk to a doctor or call an ambulance straight away. Tell them how much you have taken.
Signs of overdose may include:
- restlessness, shaking, increased uncontrolled movements, muscle twitching, fast breathing, being confused, an inclination to fight or quarrel, seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations), panicked state, high fever or muscle breakdown. Tiredness and depression may follow.
- being or feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps may also occur
- changes in heartbeat (slow, fast or uneven), high or low blood pressure, circulatory collapse, fits and coma may be seen
- headache, confusion, seizures and visual changes may also occur.
If you forget to take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget a dose, wait until the next day. Avoid taking it in the afternoon because of the possibility of sleep disturbances (insomnia).
If you stop taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
If you stop taking this medicine, ADHD symptoms may come back.
| Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg and 70 mg Hard Capsules |
Do not stop taking the medicine without first talking to your doctor. You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine on your own.
Things your doctor will do when you take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Your doctor will do some tests
Before you start - to make sure that Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is safe for you and
will be of benefit to you.
After you start - your doctor will do tests at least every 6 months, but possibly more
often. The tests will also be done if the dose is changed. These tests will include:
- checking your appetite
- measuring height and weight
- measuring blood pressure and heart rate
checking whether you have any problems with your mood, state of mind or any other
unusual feelings, or if these have got worse while taking Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
Long-term treatment
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate does not need to be taken forever. If you take Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate for more than a year, your doctor should stop treatment for a short time; this may happen during a holiday. This will show if you still need the medicine. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Your doctor will talk to you about these side effects.
Some side effects could be serious. If you get any of the side effects below, see a doctor straight away:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- uneven heartbeat (palpitations)
- chest pain (may be a sign of heart problems).
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- feeling unusually excited, over-active, or un-inhibited (mania)
- allergic reaction (hypersensitivity).
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
severe allergic reaction characterised by a sharp drop in blood pressure, difficulty
breathing, and hives/itching (anaphylactic reaction)
seeing or feeling or hearing things that are not real*, paranoia and delusions
(psychotic episodes)
worsening of Tourette’s Disorder with signs such as hard-to-control, repeated twitching
of any parts of the body or repeating sounds and words (tics)
- fits (seizures)
abnormal heart rhythm, life-threatening irregular heart rhythm (seen on an
electrocardiogram). See section 2 ‘Warnings and precautions’.
allergic liver injury seen as possible yellowing of the eyes and/or skin (eosinophilic
hepatitis)
swelling of the skin (angioedema) or serious skin rash seen as severe blisters of the skin
and mucous membranes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- breathlessness or swelling of the legs (signs of heart muscle disease)*. *The following severe side effects have different frequency in children and/or adolescents compared to adults:
seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not real is uncommon in children and
adolescents
breathlessness or swelling of the legs (signs of heart muscle disease) is uncommon in
adolescents.
If you have any of the side effects above, see a doctor straight away. Other side effects include the following. If they get serious, please tell your doctor or pharmacist:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- decreased appetite
- being unable to sleep
- dry mouth
- headache.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- feeling agitated, jittery, anxious, depressed, irritable or have mood swings
- feeling tired* or restlessness
- unable to get or keep an erection or changes in sex drive
- feeling dizzy
- uncontrolled twitching, jerking, shaking, trembling or being unusually active
hard-to-control, repeated twitching of any parts of the body or repeating sounds and
words (tics)
- fast or uneven heartbeat (tachycardia)
- high blood pressure*
- difficulty breathing
- feeling or being sick or diarrhoea
- constipation
- weight loss*
- excessive sweating
- stomach pain
- grinding of the teeth.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- fever*
- talking excessively
- feeling depressed, anxious, low, or uneasy (dysphoria)
- feeling excessively happy or excited (euphoria)
- excessive picking of the skin
- uncontrolled twitching or jerking of the body
- feeling unusually sleepy
- itching, rash* or raised red itchy rashes (urticaria)
- blurred vision
- metallic taste or changes in taste (dysgeusia)
- fainting
- nosebleed.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- excessive widening of the pupils*
- aggression
poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers go numb and pale (Raynaud’s
phenomenon)*.
*The following side effects have different frequency in children and/or adolescents compared to adults:
- weight loss is very common in children and adolescents
- stomach pain is very common in children
- high temperature (fever) is common in children and adolescents
- feeling unusually sleepy is common in children and adolescents
- rash is common in children
- high blood pressure is uncommon in children and adolescents
poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers go numb and pale (Raynaud’s
phenomenon) is uncommon in children
- excessive widening of the pupils of the eyes is uncommon in children and adolescents. Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store this medicine in a safe storage space, where other people cannot access it. It can cause serious harm to people when it has not been prescribed for them. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and the carton after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Do not use this medicine if the capsules look damaged in any way.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate contains
The active substance is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate.
Each 20 mg capsule contains 20 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 5.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 30 mg capsule contains 30 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 8.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 40 mg capsule contains 40 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 11.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 50 mg capsule contains 50 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 14.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 60 mg capsule contains 60 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 17.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 70 mg capsule contains 70 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, corresponding to 20.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
The other ingredients are:
Capsule content: cellulose microcrystalline, croscarmellose sodium and
magnesium stearate.
Capsule shell: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171) and black ink (shellac, propylene
glycol, black iron oxide and potassium hydroxide).
Capsule shell colourants:
- 20 mg: yellow iron oxide (E172).
- 30 mg: yellow iron oxide (E172) and red iron oxide (E172).
- 40 mg: yellow iron oxide (E172) and brilliant blue (E133).
- 50 mg: indigo carmine (E132)
- 60 mg: indigo carmine (E132)
- 70 mg: yellow iron oxide (E172), red iron oxide (E172) and indigo carmine (E132). What Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate looks like and contents of the pack
Plastic bottle with child-resistant cap.
20 mg: Yellow body and yellow cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘20 mg’ in black ink. 30 mg: White body and orange cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘30 mg’ in black ink. 40 mg: White body and green cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘40 mg’ in black ink. 50 mg: White body and blue cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘50 mg’ in black ink. 60 mg: Light blue body and light blue cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘60 mg’ in black ink. 70 mg: Blue body and orange cap, printed ‘TEV’ and ‘70 mg’ in black ink. Each capsule is approximately 19 mm long and 6 mm wide.
Pack sizes: 28 capsules.
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Teva UK Limited, Ridings Point, Whistler Drive, Castleford, WF10 5HX, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Pliva Croatia Ltd, Prilaz baruna Filipovica 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia This leaflet was last revised in May 2026.
PL 00289/2615, PL 00289/2616, PL 00289/2617, PL 00289/2618, PL 00289/2619 and PL 00289/2620
- 7. Information for children and young people
This information is to help you learn the main things about your medicine called Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate.
If you do not enjoy reading, someone like your mum, dad or carer (sometimes called ‘your guardian’) can read it to you and answer any questions.
It may help if you read small bits at a time.
Why has the doctor given me this medicine?
This medicine can help your ‘ADHD’.
ADHD can make you:
- run about too much
- be unable to pay attention
act quickly without thinking about what will happen next (impulsive). It affects learning, making friends and how you think about yourself. It is not your fault.
While you are taking this medicine
- As well as giving you this medicine, your doctor will arrange for you to learn ways to cope with your ADHD such as talking to people who can give you tips or teach you different ways to do things.
- The medicine should help your ADHD.
- You will need to go to your doctor several times for check-ups. This is to make sure the medicine is working and that you are growing and developing OK.
- If you take the medicine for more than one year, your doctor may stop your medicine to see if you still need it. This will probably happen in a school holiday.
- Girls must ask their doctor for advice before taking this medicine if they think they may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby.
Some people cannot have this medicine
You cannot have this medicine if you:
- have a problem with your heart
- feel unusually excited or over-active.
Some people need to talk to their doctor before they start taking this medicine
You need to talk to your doctor if you:
- have fits
- are pregnant or breast-feeding
- are taking other medicines - your doctor needs to know about all the medicines you are taking
- have bad kidney problems.
How do I take my medicine (capsules)?
- Swallow your capsule with water. Or open the capsule and dissolve all of the contents in a glass of water or orange juice. Or mix the contents into soft food like yogurt.
- Eat all the yogurt or drink all the water or orange juice straight away after mixing.
- Take one capsule each morning. You can take it with or without food.
- Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.
- If you forget to take your medicine, tell an adult. You must NOT take 2 capsules to make up for the dose you forgot.
Possible side effects
Side effects are the unwanted things that can happen when you take a medicine. If any of the following happen, tell an adult straight away. They can then talk to your doctor. The main things that could affect you are if you:
- feel your heart beating faster than usual or uneven heartbeat
- see, feel, or hear things that are not real
- feel unusually excited or over-active
- have a severe allergic reaction. This may be seen as feeling dizzy, difficulty breathing, and itching.
- have fits
- notice yellowing of the eyes and/or skin
- have swelling of the skin or bad skin rash like blisters of the skin or other areas. If you feel unwell in any way while you are taking your medicine, please tell an adult straight away.
Other things to remember
- Make sure you keep your medicine in a safe place, so that no one else takes it.
- The medicine is just for you - do not let anyone else have it. It may help you, but it could hurt someone else.
If you forget to take your medicine do not take 2 capsules the next time. Just take
1 capsule at the next normal time.
- It is important not to take too much medicine or you will get ill.
- If you take too much medicine, tell your mum, dad or carer right away.
- Do not stop taking your medicine until your doctor says it is OK to stop. Who should I ask if there is anything I do not understand?
Your mum, dad, carer, doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to help you.
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