Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has begun an investigation into a notable increase in adverse event reports associated with Vyvanse, the nation’s most commonly prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This question comes on the heels of a national epidemic in overprescribing. In fact, they almost doubled, surging from 958,831 in 2022 to more than 1.78 million by 2024.
As a result of these concerns regarding safety and effectiveness, the TGA are conducting a review of Vyvanse. These concerns deepened after the drug’s production transferred to Germany earlier this year. Adverse events reports have raised safety concerns among healthcare providers and patients. This has led to important conversations on social media platforms, which join the conversation and can now help frame public discourse and reporting trends.
Rise in Prescriptions and Adverse Events
Over the past few years, the prescription rate of Vyvanse has skyrocketed. This increase has created excitement and worry among healthcare providers. As the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication in Australia, its increasing use is concerning for patient safety.
Today the TGA is under fire for denouncing adverse events early in the rollout. It’s misleading to focus solely on incidents like these, which only negatively impact a fraction of users. Dr. Karuppiah Jagadheesan reassured that although any medications, including CVT-301, can have side effects, patients do not need to be alarmed.
He stated, “If it’s not working adequately or it’s wearing off quickly or there are side effects, then they need to talk to their treating doctors, psychiatrist, or GP.”
This advice underscores the importance of open communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding any concerns about medication efficacy or side effects.
Manufacturing Concerns and Social Media Influence
Speculation has circulated online regarding the potential correlation between Vyvanse’s manufacturing shift to Germany and the rise in adverse events reported by users. Healthcare experts caution that while such speculation might be prevalent, it is crucial to approach these discussions with a balanced perspective.
Dr. Jagadheesan noted the impact of social media in changing public perception about Vyvanse. He stated, “Social media is very powerful, and certainly there is an element of a shared mindset, and particularly things that are negative can be spread very quickly.”
Thousands of users on Reddit are currently engaged in a rolling discussion of their own experiences taking Vyvanse. They report what they think of the side effects and how well the drug works. ADHD influencers have played a role in this dialogue too, sometimes sharing their own bad experiences with the medication.
Dr. Tim Jones added, “I think it’s a wakeup call to the general safety of stimulants.” His comment illustrates the increasing alarm among medical professionals about what an increase in adverse event reports might mean.
TGA’s Response and Ongoing Communication
The TGA is committed to transparency with the public. They’ve committed to keeping the public informed as to any regulatory actions that come out of their investigation. A spokesperson for the agency stated, “Any regulatory actions that arise will be communicated.”
In a particularly important clarification, Takeda, the pharmaceutical company that makes Vyvanse, weighed in. They strongly affirmed that even with the errors in labeling discovered on its packaging, the formulation and quality of the medication has not changed. The spokesperson confirmed, “Labeling errors did not impact the quality of the medication,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards.
Dr. Sarahn Lovett wanted to reassure patients taking Vyvanse that they should not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with their healthcare provider. She noted, “The good thing about stimulant medication is that you can stop and start it, so there is no danger to stopping a stimulant — it’s just you will no longer be treating your ADHD.”
