Vyvanse Introduces Chewable Formulation
The commonly prescribed stimulant medication is now available as a chewable tablet for children (and adults) who have trouble swallowing pills.
April 26, 2017
The makers of Vyvanse, a well-known central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years of age or older, have released a new chewable formulation — providing a new treatment option for patients who struggle to swallow pills.
The new formulation was approved by the FDA in January of 2017 and was made available to patients in early April. The chewable formulation comes in the same dosages as the non-chewable version — 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, and 60mg — and can be used interchangeably with non-chewable Vyvanse, according to Shire, the company that produces Vyvanse.
Vyvanse is a prodrug, meaning it only becomes active once metabolized in the digestive tract. For this reason, it’s important that the entire tablet be chewed before swallowing, Shire says.
“Vyvanse chewable tablets will offer an option to patients who may need an alternate form of this medication,” said Mark Rus, M.S., head of the U.S. neuroscience franchise at Shire, in a press release. “With the new Vyvanse chewable formulation, we offer physicians an option to help patients who may have difficulty swallowing or would prefer a chewable tablet to help manage their condition.”
