Before a medical doctor will consider prescribing this medication they will weigh treatment benefits against any potential health risks, specific to you.
Factors that will be taken into consideration include:
- Allergies: An allergy or sensitivity to stimulants can cause adverse reactions or be fatal.
- Age: Paediatric-specific problems can occur for children younger than 6 years of age. Caution is also exercised in seniors who are more likely to have age-related health risks and conditions.
- Pregnancy: Studies for safety are not conclusive at any stage of gestation and may be harmful to the foetus during pregnancy, causing premature labour or low birth weight of the baby.
- Breastfeeding mothers: Studies are not conclusive in determining risk to an infant during breastfeeding by a mother on the medication but the medication may pass through breast milk and cause problems for the baby.
- Medication interactions: Precautions may be necessary if other medications are required to be taken at the same time. It may be necessary to change any other medications you are taking in order for Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate to be safely prescribed. This drug is usually not recommended to be taken at the same time as any other.
- Other medical conditions and problems: Current, a history of or family history of substance abuse, allergy, coronary artery disease, heart disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, heart attack, stroke, bipolar disorder, Raynaud’s disease or other blood vessel problems, depression, hypertension (high blood pressure), mania, motor tics, psychosis, seizures, Tourette’s syndrome, and kidney disease.) It is not unusual for this medication to cause blurred vision or make you feel drowsy or dizzy. If any of these symptoms (side effects) occur it is advisable that you do not drive, use machinery or do anything else that can pose a danger to yourself or others until under control. If you or your family and friends notice any unusual changes in your behaviour (increased aggression, hostility, irritability, hallucinations or suicidal thinking and behaviours), you must inform your doctor as soon as possible. The medication can also cause slow growth in children. It is therefore important that your doctor keep track of your child’s height and weight while on the medication.