Vyvanse, otherwise known as Lisdexamfetamine, is a schedule 2 controlled substance used to treat primarily Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, or ADHD in children and adults, and more recently to treat Binge Eating Disorder, or BED in adults. Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant belonging to the class of drugs known as amphetamines and works by affecting chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to both hyperactivity and impulse control. More specifically, Vyvanse alters the balance of chemicals in the brain, and increases dopamine (a stimulant) and norepinephrine (a naturally occurring substance) levels, both of which affect the brains receptors to pleasure and reward. To become FDA approved, a study was conducted to
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Individuals with binge eating disorder are described as experiencing “episodes of rapid food consumption: periods in which they “lose control” of the ability to stop eating. They may eat until after they are already full or at times when they were not hungry to begin with. People with BED will often eat alone or in secret because they are embarrassed by their behaviors. For some people, binging can cause a sense of relief or fulfillment initially. This feeling fades as the episode progresses and leads to feelings of disgust, guilt, worthlessness or depression after the episode is over.” (http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=149467). BED was not recognized by the Mental Health center until 2013, and Vyvanse was reported to be the only drug approved to treat BED in 2015. Shire recruited Monica Seles, a famous retired tennis player who personally struggled with BED, as a paid spokesperson for the launch Vyvanse’s newfound treatment of binge eating disorder. Seles shared her personal struggle with binge eating disorder on multiple television shows such as Dr. Oz, and stated that “one of the reasons (she) decided to do this campaign: to raise awareness that binge eating is a real medical condition”.
Individuals with binge eating disorder are described as experiencing “episodes of rapid food consumption: periods in which they “lose control” of the ability to stop eating. They may eat until after they are already full or at times when they were not hungry to begin with. People with BED will often eat alone or in secret because they are embarrassed by their behaviors. For some people, binging can cause a sense of relief or fulfillment initially. This feeling fades as the episode progresses and leads to feelings of disgust, guilt, worthlessness or depression after the episode is over.” (http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=149467). BED was not recognized by the Mental Health center until 2013, and Vyvanse was reported to be the only drug approved to treat BED in 2015. Shire recruited Monica Seles, a famous retired tennis player who personally struggled with BED, as a paid spokesperson for the launch Vyvanse’s newfound treatment of binge eating disorder. Seles shared her personal struggle with binge eating disorder on multiple television shows such as Dr. Oz, and stated that “one of the reasons (she) decided to do this campaign: to raise awareness that binge eating is a real medical condition”.