Key takeaways

  • Dyanavel XR is a long-acting stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and older.
  • This drug is available in two forms — a liquid (oral suspension) and a chewable tablet — both designed to release the medication slowly throughout the day.
  • As a federally controlled substance (Schedule II), Dyanavel XR has a high potential for misuse and addiction, and it carries specific warnings regarding heart health and mental health.

Dyanavel XR is a central nervous system stimulant. It’s an extended-release medication, meaning the active ingredient (amphetamine) is released gradually into your body over time. This helps manage ADHD symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, over an extended period rather than all at once. It’s approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

Dyanavel XR has several boxed warnings due to risks associated with stimulant drugs.

Boxed warnings for this medication include the risks of:

  • Misuse and addiction: There’s a high potential for this drug to be misused or for a person to become addicted to it. Taking more than the prescribed amount or using it for reasons other than ADHD treatment increases the risk of serious heart problems or sudden death.
  • Heart health: Stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. In people with existing heart problems or defects, there is an increased risk of sudden death, stroke, and heart attack. Healthcare professionals typically check for heart conditions before a person starts this medication.
  • Mental health risks: Dyanavel XR may cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms. This includes the emergence of psychotic symptoms (such as paranoia or hearing voices), or manic symptoms (such as extreme over-excitement), even in people who haven’t had these issues before.

Key terms

A controlled substance is a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, and use are strictly regulated by the government because of the potential for misuse or addiction. To organize these regulations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies drugs into five “Schedules” based on their medical use and risk level:

• Schedule I: These drugs have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use (e.g., heroin).
• Schedule II: Like Dyanavel XR, these have a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, but they have an accepted medical use. Because of the risks, prescriptions for Schedule II drugs are strictly limited and cannot be refilled; a new prescription is required every time.
• Schedule III: These have a moderate to low potential for dependence (e.g., Tylenol with codeine).
• Schedule IV and V: These have a lower risk of misuse and dependence compared to the higher schedules (e.g., Xanax or certain cough medicines).

Side effects can vary between children and adults. Based on clinical trials, the most frequently reported side effects include:

  • Appetite and growth: A decrease in appetite is very common with Dyanavel XR. In children, this can lead to temporary slowing of weight gain and height growth, which healthcare professionals monitor during treatment.
  • Sleep issues: Because this drug is a stimulant, some people experience insomnia while taking it.
  • Mood changes: Some users experience irritability or shifts in mood.
  • Physical discomfort: Common complaints include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
  • Physical reactions: Rapid heartbeat and dry mouth are also frequently reported with this drug.

Dyanavel XR is taken once daily in the morning, with or without food. Your doctor will likely start your treatment with a low dose and gradually adjust the amount every week until the drug effectively manages your symptoms while minimizing side effects.

The liquid version must be shaken vigorously for at least 10 seconds before each use to ensure the medicine is mixed properly. The tablets are chewable and should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. For both versions, the highest recommended daily amount is 20 milligrams (mg).

The medication works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (dopamine and norepinephrine) that help with focus and impulse control. It uses a specific delivery technology to ensure the amphetamine is released steadily throughout the day rather than all at once.

In clinical studies, Dyanavel XR was shown to begin working within 1 hour of taking it. Because it is an extended-release formula, it’s designed to continue managing symptoms for up to 13 hours.

Certain conditions and factors make this medication unsafe for certain people.

  • Allergies: People with a known severe allergy to amphetamine or any of the ingredients in the medication should not take Dyanavel XR.
  • MAOIs: This drug cannot be taken at the same time as — or within 14 days of — taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a type of antidepressant. Doing so can cause a dangerously high increase in blood pressure.

Other considerations

  • Circulation issues: Some people experience peripheral vasculopathy, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, where fingers or toes feel numb, cold, or change color (blue or red) in response to temperature or stress.
  • Pregnancy and nursing: The effects of Dyanavel XR on unborn babies are not fully known. Because amphetamines pass into breast milk, breastfeeding while taking the medication is generally not advised.

Yes. The Dyanavel XR liquid suspension and the Dyanavel XR chewable tablets are mg-for-mg equivalent. This means if a person is prescribed 10 mg of the liquid, they can typically switch to the 10-mg tablet without needing to adjust the total dose. Other amphetamine products should not be substituted on a mg-per-mg basis.

Any changes should be managed by a healthcare professional.

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember, if it’s in the morning. Because this is a long-acting stimulant, taking it too late in the afternoon can cause insomnia. If it’s already late in the day, it’s usually best to skip the missed dose and wait until the next morning. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

The 5-mg tablets are scored (marked with a grooved line), which means they are designed to be easily broken in half if a 2.5-mg dose is needed. The 10-mg, 15-mg, and 20-mg tablets are not scored and should generally be taken whole or chewed as directed.

Dyanavel XR provides a long-acting option for managing ADHD symptoms in children and adults through its liquid and chewable tablet forms. While it can improve focus and reduce impulsivity, its status as a potent stimulant means it requires careful monitoring for heart, mental health, and growth-related side effects. Working closely with a healthcare professional helps ensure the medication is used safely as part of a broader treatment plan.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.