Shire goes after binge-eating disorder with ADHD stimulant, Vyvanse

Shire, the makers of Vyvanse a stimulant drug prescribed for ADHD is going after the niche weight loss drug market without a weight loss drug. They're going in the backdoor with the binge-eating disorder diagnosis and wanting the end result to be the wide use for weight loss, via the re-marketed ADHD drug that is already an established medication for sale. Shire is currently in a phase III trial and sponsoring the trial of Vyvanse for binge-eating.



Side effects of Vyvanse from Pub Med Health

What side effects can this medication cause?

Lisdexamfetamine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

sleepiness

uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body

dizziness

jitters

headache

dry mouth

stomach pain

diarrhea

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

weight loss

fever

sweating


Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:

fast or pounding heartbeat

chest pain

shortness of breath

fainting

slow or difficult speech

weakness or numbness of an arm or leg

seizures

hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

believing things that are not true

feeling unusually suspicious of others

aggression

irritability

mood swings

frenzied, abnormally excited mood

seizures

tics

hives

rash

swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, or mouth

blurred vision or other vision problems


Lisdexamfetamine may cause sudden death in children and teenagers, especially children and teenagers who have heart defects or serious heart problems. This medication also may cause sudden death, heart attack or stroke in adults, especially adults who have heart defects or serious heart problems. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication."
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Vyvanse is a federally controlled substance:

"Controlled Substance Status/Potential for Abuse, Misuse, and Dependence

should be advised that Vyvanse is a federally controlled substance because it can be abused or lead to dependence.

WARNING: POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE

AMPHETAMINES HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE. ADMINISTRATION OF AMPHETAMINES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME MAY LEAD TO DRUG DEPENDENCE. PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUBJECTS OBTAINING AMPHETAMINES FOR NON-THERAPEUTIC USE OR DISTRIBUTION TO OTHERS AND THE DRUGS SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED OR DISPENSED SPARINGLY.

MISUSE OF AMPHETAMINES MAY CAUSE SUDDEN DEATH AND SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR ADVERSE EVENTS."

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Michelle Obama backs the American obesity epidemic campaign with a push to have kids exercise and eat right. There's a problem in America that is larger than that--and that is America's desire to medicate and use pills for all reasons, and adding an ADHD drug to the mix to prevent or curb binge-eating disorder and possible other weight loss areas, does not fix the problem it masks it with a drug that hosts a boatload of side effects such as death and heart attack or stroke.

Fitness, and health have gone by the wayside for everyday lifestyles in America, in fact fitness and exercise is now equated more with weight loss rather than a daily routine to remain fit and healthy. The human body is complex, and so is America's lifestyle choices.

Over time Americans have grown used to fast food and quick dinner menus, technology and quick fixes. There are no easy answers or short cuts to eating and living a healthy lifestyle, and when a person adds a drug such as the stimulant Vyvanse to their routine it opens up risk factors for severe consequences as a result.

How much of a risk would people be willing to take to control behaviors such as binge-eating with a pill? could the person use behavior modification techniques taught to them via a therapist? rather than take the chance of having a stroke, or heart attack by medicating the diagnosis? The severity of binge-eating in some people's opinion might warrant a medication, but the possibility of a broad use for all weight loss reasons is the real concern.

Re-marketing drugs for other uses and indications using the DSM-5 as a way to do it is Big Pharma's method of operation, and one that is easily attained the way this country seems to be going.

Antipsychotics for sleep aids and ADHD drugs for weight loss.

That's America, Pharma style.


Related article in Bloomberg.