Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Elvanse, 20 mg, Hard Capsules
Elvanse, 30 mg, Hard Capsules
Elvanse, 40 mg, Hard Capsules
Elvanse, 50 mg, Hard Capsules
Elvanse, 60 mg, Hard Capsules
Elvanse, 70 mg, Hard Capsules
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate
Read the package leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.
Table of Contents of the Package Leaflet
- 1. What is Elvanse and what is it used for
- 2. Important information before taking Elvanse
- 3. How to take Elvanse
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Elvanse
- 6. Contents of the pack and other information
- 7. Information for children and adolescents
1. What is Elvanse and what is it used for
What is Elvanse
Elvanse contains lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. It is a substance that helps regulate brain function. It facilitates focus and reduces restlessness. Elvanse acts gradually and for a long time - for 13 hours.
What is Elvanse used for
Elvanse is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as part of a comprehensive treatment program:
- in children and adolescents from 6 to 18 years old, if previous treatment with methylphenidate did not reduce ADHD symptoms;
- in adults who have had ADHD since childhood. Before prescribing Elvanse to a person who has not been previously treated for ADHD, the doctor will determine if the disorder has been present since childhood.
If there is no improvement or the patient feels worse after one month of treatment, they should consult a doctor.
Taking Elvanse is not recommended for all patients with ADHD. The decision to use it is made based on a thorough medical assessment.
Elvanse is not given to children with ADHD under 6 years old, as it is not known if it is safe and beneficial for such young people.
How does Elvanse work
Elvanse improves the functioning of certain parts of the brain with reduced activity. This can facilitate concentration and reduce restlessness.
The medicine is used with other treatment methods:
- psychotherapy
- educational programs
- developing social skills
- behavioral therapy
- occupational therapy
The medicine should only be prescribed by doctors experienced in treating behavioral disorders.
ADHD
Patients with ADHD have problems with:
- staying in one place
- focusing attention
ADHD is not the patient's fault, but it can cause problems in daily life. Children and adolescents with ADHD may have difficulty learning and doing homework. They may have trouble behaving well at home, school, or other places.
ADHD does not affect intelligence.
2. Important information before taking Elvanse
When not to take Elvanse
In these cases, do not take Elvanse. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist before treatment. This is because treatment may worsen the mentioned symptoms.
Warnings and precautions
Before starting treatment with Elvanse, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if:
- you have ever abused drugs or substances that can cause dependence
- you have kidney problems
- you have had seizures (epilepsy) or abnormal EEG results
- you have had uncontrolled muscle contractions or involuntarily repeated sounds or words
- you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
- there have been heart rhythm disorders (visible on an electrocardiogram) or diseases treated with medicines that cause heart rhythm disorders, or mineral salt imbalance in your family or in your medical history
- you have been diagnosed with other heart problems beyond those mentioned above in the "When not to take Elvanse" section
- you have had a stroke
- you have mental health problems, such as:
- severe mood swings (bipolar affective disorder, where mood swings from mania to depression)
- feeling aggressive or hostile, or increased aggression
- seeing, hearing, or feeling non-existent things (hallucinations)
- believing in untrue things (delusions)
- strong suspiciousness (paranoia)
- feeling agitated, anxious, or increased tension
- depression or feelings of guilt
This also applies to women who are able to become pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding (see "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before treatment if you have experienced any of these symptoms. This is because treatment may worsen the mentioned symptoms. The doctor will monitor the effect of the medicine on you.
Incorrect use of Elvanse can lead to behavioral disorders, and the patient taking the medicine may become dependent on it. If you have abused alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal psychoactive substances, or are dependent on them, inform your doctor. Do not give the medicine to other people - even if they have similar symptoms.
In some patients, Elvanse may cause heart rhythm disorders. If during treatment you experience palpitations or irregular heartbeat, inform your doctor immediately. The risk of heart function disorders may increase with the dose. Therefore, use the prescribed dose.
Before starting treatment, the doctor will examine you
The doctor will perform the examinations listed below and decide if treatment with Elvanse will be suitable for you. The doctor will ask:
- Are you taking any other medicines?
- Has anyone in your family died suddenly for unknown reasons?
- Do you or anyone in your family have other health problems (e.g., heart disease)?
- How do you feel: are you cheerful or sad, do you currently or have you had unusual thoughts in the past?
- Do you or anyone in your family have "tics", i.e., uncontrollable, repetitive movements or sounds?
- Have you or anyone in your family ever had a mental illness or behavioral disorders? The doctor will conduct a mental health interview and may ask if there have been suicide attempts, bipolar affective disorder (severe mood swings from depression to mania), or depression in your family.
It is essential that you answer the doctor's questions in detail and honestly. This will allow the doctor to ensure that treatment with Elvanse is suitable for you. Before treatment, the doctor may order additional tests.
Weight changes
- Elvanse may cause weight loss in some patients.
- Children and adolescents may not gain weight.
- In the case of children and adolescents, the doctor will closely monitor growth, weight, and appetite.
- If the growth rate is not as expected or if weight is lost, the doctor may stop Elvanse treatment.
- In the case of adult patients, the doctor will monitor growth and appetite.
Elvanse and other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking now or have taken recently, and about medicines you plan to take in the future.
When not to take Elvanse:
- If you are taking or have taken in the last 14 days medicines for depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Taking Elvanse and MAOIs can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you which medicines are MAOIs.
Elvanse and some other medicines may interact with each other. Before starting treatment with Elvanse, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medicines:
- medicines used for severe mental illnesses
- medicines that increase or decrease blood pressure
- medicines used during surgical procedures, such as painkillers
- medicines for colds and coughs. Some of these medicines may increase blood pressure, so consult a pharmacist before purchasing
- medicines that change the acidity of urine, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or sodium bicarbonate (e.g., in antacids).
If in doubt, or if the medicine is not on the above list, consult your doctor or pharmacist before treatment with Elvanse.
Tests for detecting illegal substances
This medicine may cause a positive result in tests for detecting illegal substances.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to have a baby, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
The body breaks down Elvanse into substances that can pass through the placenta and into breast milk of breastfeeding women. Available data on the use of Elvanse in the first three months of pregnancy do not indicate an increased risk of congenital malformations in the child, but may increase the risk of pre-eclampsia (a condition that usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine) and premature birth. Newborns exposed to amphetamine during pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms (tremors, irritability, increased muscle tone). Do not take this medicine during pregnancy unless your doctor has explicitly recommended it; during treatment, do not breastfeed.
Driving and operating machinery
During treatment with Elvanse, patients may experience blurred vision or dizziness.
In such cases, driving, operating machinery, and, for example, horse riding, cycling, or climbing trees can be dangerous.
Elvanse contains sodium
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per capsule, which means the medicine is considered "sodium-free".
3. How to take Elvanse
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Elvanse has been prescribed for you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have similar symptoms.
How to take Elvanse
- Take Elvanse in the morning before breakfast. It can be taken with or without food.
- Elvanse can be taken in two ways: either swallow the whole capsule with water or open the capsule and pour the contents into: § yogurt or other soft food § a glass of water or orange juice. Mix the Elvanse thoroughly with the yogurt, water, or orange juice. Immediately after mixing, eat the yogurt or drink the water or orange juice. Do not delay taking the medicine. After drinking the medicine, a white residue may remain on the container or glass. Do not worry, as it does not contain the active substance.
Dose
- Your doctor will tell you which dose to take daily.
- The recommended starting dose is 30 mg, but your doctor may decide to start treatment with a dose of 20 mg. Later, your doctor may increase the dose. The maximum daily dose is 70 mg.
- If you have kidney disease, your doctor may reduce the dose.
- If you are elderly, before starting treatment and during treatment, your doctor will check your blood pressure and assess your cardiovascular system (see section 2 "When not to take Elvanse" and "Warnings and precautions"). Your doctor may also consider it necessary to reduce the dose.
- Do not reduce the dose yourself or take part of the capsules. Always take the whole contents of the capsule. Do not take 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. The doctor may then change the treatment.
If you take Elvanse incorrectly
If you take Elvanse incorrectly, you may experience behavioral disorders or become dependent on the medicine. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have ever had a problem with abuse or dependence on alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal psychoactive substances.
Taking a higher dose of Elvanse than recommended
If you have taken too much of the medicine, go to the doctor or call an ambulance immediately. Tell the medical staff what dose you took.
Symptoms of overdose may include: restlessness, tremors, increased uncontrolled movements, minor muscle contractions, rapid breathing, confusion, aggression, and hallucinations, panic attacks, high fever, or muscle damage. Later, fatigue and depression may occur. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps. Sometimes, changes in heart rhythm (fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat), too low or too high blood pressure, circulatory collapse, seizures, and coma can occur.
Missing a dose of Elvanse
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose, wait and take the next dose the next day. Do not take the medicine in the afternoon, as it may cause insomnia or disrupt sleep.
Stopping treatment with Elvanse
If you stop taking Elvanse, ADHD symptoms may return.
Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor. Do not stop taking the medicine abruptly.
Control tests during treatment with Elvanse
Your doctor will perform certain tests during treatment with Elvanse
- Before starting treatment, your doctor will check if the treatment will be safe and beneficial for you.
- During treatment, your doctor will order control tests every 6 months or more often, and after each dose change. Control tests may include:
- assessing your appetite
- measuring your growth and weight
- measuring your blood pressure and pulse
- checking if you have mood, thinking, or feeling disorders, and if they have worsened during treatment with Elvanse
Long-term treatment
Treatment with Elvanse will not be necessary for the rest of your life. If treatment is needed for more than a year, your doctor may recommend a short break in treatment (e.g., during vacations). This will help determine if the medicine is still necessary.
If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Elvanse can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Your doctor will discuss possible side effects with you.
Sometimes, serious side effects may occur. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the doctor immediately:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- chest pain (may be a sign of heart disease)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- excessive restlessness, excessive activity, lack of restraint (mania)
- allergic reactions (hypersensitivity)
Rare (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- severe allergic reactions with a sudden drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath, and itching/hives (anaphylactic reaction)
- seeing, feeling, or hearing non-existent things*, paranoia, and delusions (psychotic symptoms)
- worsening of Tourette's syndrome, characterized by uncontrollable, repetitive movements or sounds (tics)
- seizures (convulsions)
- heart rhythm disorders, life-threatening irregular heartbeat (visible on an electrocardiogram). See section 2 "Warnings and precautions"
- allergic liver damage, which may be accompanied by yellowing of the eyes and/or skin (eosinophilic hepatitis)
- skin swelling (angioedema) or severe rash with blisters on the skin and mucous membranes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
* The frequency of the following serious side effects is different in children and/or adolescents than in adults.
- seeing, feeling, or hearing non-existent things in children and/or adolescents is uncommon
- shortness of breath or swelling of the legs (signs of heart disease) in adolescents is uncommon
If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the doctor immediately.
Other side effects may also occur. If they worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- decreased appetite
- sleeping problems
- dry mouth
- headache
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- restlessness, irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings
- feeling tired* or restlessness
- difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection or changes in libido
- dizziness
- uncontrolled contractions, involuntary movements, or tremors
- uncontrolled, repetitive muscle contractions or involuntary repetition of sounds or words (tics)
- irregular or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- high blood pressure*
- shortness of breath
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- constipation
- weight loss*
- excessive sweating
- abdominal pain
- teeth grinding
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- fever*
- logorrhea
- feeling depressed, anxious, low mood, or restless (dysphoria)
- feeling happy and excited (euphoria)
- frequent "picking at skin"
- uncontrolled muscle contractions or sudden body movements
- strong drowsiness
- itching, rash*, or red itchy skin changes (hives)
- blurred vision
- metallic taste or changes in taste (taste disorders)
- fainting
- nosebleeds
Rare (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- pupil dilation*
- aggression
- poor blood circulation, causing numbness and paleness of fingers and toes (Raynaud's phenomenon)*
* The frequency of the following side effects is different in children and/or adolescents than in adults.
- weight loss is common in children and adolescents
- abdominal pain is very common in children
- fever is common in children and adolescents
- strong drowsiness is common in children and adolescents
- rash is common in children
- high blood pressure is uncommon in children and adolescents
- poor blood circulation, causing numbness and paleness of fingers and toes (Raynaud's phenomenon), is uncommon in children
- pupil dilation is uncommon in children and adolescents
Reporting side effects
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products
Al. Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects will help gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
5. How to store Elvanse
Do not store above 25°C.
Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Keep the medicine in a safe place, inaccessible to others.
Taking the medicine by people it was not prescribed for can have serious health consequences.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
Do not use this medicine if you notice that the capsules are damaged.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Elvanse contains
- The active substance is lisdexamfetamine dimesylate
Each 20 mg capsule contains 20 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 5.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 30 mg capsule contains 30 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 8.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 40 mg capsule contains 40 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 11.9 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 50 mg capsule contains 50 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 14.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 60 mg capsule contains 60 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 17.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
Each 70 mg capsule contains 70 mg of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, which corresponds to 20.8 mg of dexamfetamine.
- Other ingredients are:
- Capsule contents: microcrystalline cellulose (E 460), sodium croscarmellose (E 468), and magnesium stearate (E 572)
- Capsule shell: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E 171)
- The 20 mg capsule also contains yellow iron oxide (E 172)
- The 30 mg capsule also contains erythrosine (E 127)
- The 40 mg capsule also contains brilliant blue FCF (E 133), black iron oxide (E 172), and yellow iron oxide (E 172)
- The 50 mg capsule also contains brilliant blue FCF (E 133)
- The 60 mg capsule also contains brilliant blue FCF (E 133)
- The 70 mg capsule also contains brilliant blue FCF (E 133) and erythrosine (E 127)
- Printing ink: shellac (E 904); potassium hydroxide (E 525); black iron oxide (E 172); propylene glycol (E 1520); concentrated ammonia solution (E 527)
What Elvanse looks like and contents of the pack
Hard capsules.
The 20 mg capsules have an ivory-colored opaque body and an ivory-colored opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "20 mg" printed in black ink.
The 30 mg capsules have a white opaque body and a pink opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "30 mg" printed in black ink.
The 40 mg capsules have a white opaque body and a green-blue opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "40 mg" printed in black ink.
The 50 mg capsules have a white opaque body and a blue opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "50 mg" printed in black ink.
The 60 mg capsules have a turquoise opaque body and a turquoise opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "60 mg" printed in black ink.
The 70 mg capsules have a blue opaque body and a pink opaque cap with the inscription "S489" and "70 mg" printed in black ink.
Pack sizes: 28 or 30 capsules, in a cardboard box. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Ireland Branch
Block 2 Miesian Plaza
- 50 – 58 Baggot Street Lower Dublin 2, D02 HW68 Ireland e-mail: medinfoEMEA@takeda.com
Manufacturer
Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited
Block 2 & 3 Miesian Plaza
- 50 – 58 Baggot Street Lower Dublin 2 Ireland
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG Ireland Branch
Block 2 Miesian Plaza
- 50 – 58 Baggot Street Lower Dublin 2, D02 HW68 Ireland
Takeda GmbH
Lehnitzstrasse 70-98
Oranienburg
Brandenburg
16515
Germany
This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the following names:
Austria
Elvanse
Belgium
Elvanse
Denmark
Elvanse
Estonia
Elvanse
Finland
Elvanse
Spain
Elvanse
Ireland
Tyvense
Luxembourg
Elvanse
Netherlands
Elvanse
Germany
Elvanse
Norway
Elvanse
Poland
Elvanse
Portugal
Elvanse
Sweden
Elvanse
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) Elvanse
Date of last revision of the package leaflet: 11/2024
7. Information for children and adolescents
This leaflet will help you understand the most important information about Elvanse.
If you cannot read the leaflet yourself, ask your parents, grandparents, or another caregiver to read it to you and explain it to you.
Reading short sections can make it easier to understand the text.
Why did the doctor prescribe this medicine?
This medicine is used to treat "ADHD", a disease that you have been diagnosed with.
Children and adolescents with ADHD may:
- be overly active
- have trouble focusing attention
- act very quickly and without thinking (be impulsive).
ADHD affects learning at school, making new friends, and thinking about yourself. It's not your fault that you have ADHD.
Treatment
- Your doctor will prescribe the medicine and tell you how to deal with ADHD, for example, by talking to people who can help and teaching you how to deal with the symptoms of the disease.
- The medicine should reduce the ADHD symptoms that you have been diagnosed with.
- You will visit your doctor for check-ups. The doctor will then check if the medicine is working and if you are growing and developing well.
- If treatment is needed for more than a year, your doctor may recommend a short break in treatment (e.g., during vacations). This will help determine if the medicine is still necessary.
- Girls who think they may be pregnant or plan to have a baby should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
Some children should not take this medicine
You should not take this medicine if:
- you have heart problems
- you have problems with excessive restlessness or very high activity
Sometimes you should talk to your doctor before treatment
Tell your doctor if:
- you have had seizures
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you are taking other medicines - you must tell your doctor about these medicines.
- you have kidney problems.
How to take the medicine (capsules)?
- You can swallow the whole capsule and drink water. You can also open the capsule and mix the powder from the capsule with a glass of water or orange juice. The powder can also be mixed with yogurt or other soft food.
- Immediately after mixing, eat the yogurt or drink the water or orange juice.
- Take one capsule daily in the morning. The medicine can be taken with or without food.
- If you want to stop treatment, first ask your doctor.
- If you forget to take the medicine, tell an adult. If you forget to take the medicine, DO NOT take 2 (two) capsules at once (double dose of the medicine).
Possible side effects
Side effects are unpleasant symptoms that can occur during treatment. If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell an adult immediately. The adult can discuss them with your doctor. The most important side effects:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- seeing, feeling, or hearing non-existent things
- excessive unusual restlessness or very high activity
- severe allergic reaction; you may feel dizzy, short of breath, and itchy
- seizures
- yellowing of the eyes and/or skin
- swollen skin or severe rash with blisters on the skin and mucous membranes
If you feel unwell during treatment, tell an adult immediately.
Other important things
- Keep the medicine in a safe place. No one else should take this medicine.
- This medicine is for you. DO NOT let anyone else take it. The medicine may be good for you, but it can harm other people.
- If you forget to take a capsule, do not take 2 capsules later. Just take 1 capsule the next day.
- Do not take more capsules than you should, as it can harm you.
- If you take too much medicine, tell your mother, father, or caregiver immediately.
- Do not stop taking the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Who can you ask if you don't understand something?
Ask your mother, father, caregiver, doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in the pharmacy for help.