Is It Safe Switching From Vyvanse To Adderall When On Hydrocodone?

Posted on Thu, 5 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Dec 2013 Answered on

Thu, 2 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am currently being treated for ADHD and have had a major back surgery. I was on Adderall for over 7 years and was switched to vyvanse because my doctor found out that I had been prescribed hydrocodone to help with my back pain. I hate the vyvanse and it doesn't work for me. I experienced major headaches and found that the vyvanse lasted way to long and didn't help with the ADHD. I need to be on the adderall and am wondering if cymbalta is worth trying to help with my chronic nerve pain due to the triple discektomy that I had. My pain doctors want to fuse my back from the s1-l3. I am unwilling to have that surgery because I have had success with the use of hydrocodone of two pills. One in the morning and one in the evening. How do I get the help I need? Adderall is the only ADHD medication that has helped me and has had no side effects on me.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: You may revert to Adderall under supervision Detailed Answer: Thanks for writing on XXXXXXX In my opinion switching from Vyvanse back to Adderall might be safe even when you are on hydrocodone except that these two might lead to sedation/sleepiness of varied extent(due to minor interaction) but with consultation of your doctor. Adderall with Cymbalta(for back back pain)are safe to use together.Hydrocodone can be used depending on the degree/severity of pain. Both hydrocodone and cymbalta are analgesics and relive as long as you take them(treats your pain symptomatically). Surgery might give you better relief from pain since fusion of bone affords adequate pain relief/solution to your problem and I completely understand your feelings though! Long term use of analgesics have their own drawbacks and might have potential side effects and are not advisable. Hope this answers your query. Keep us posted for further queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj