half empty vyvanse capsules?

[carriec174]

Hi all, today I obtained a new script for 20mg of Vyvanse (a switch from Adderall XR). I got it filled at CVS, and having read accounts of tampering, I checked out the capsules and noticed their contents are low, and significantly varied. Most of the capsules are only HALF full, and none of them are entirely full. I'll also note that I picked the script up myself, and kept them in a secure place until I opened them. I assumed they wouldn't be vacuum packed but the amount free space looks strikingly redundant. I tried calling both the pharmacy and Shire, only to get the runaround. CVS said that the pills are delivered pre-assembled, and Shire gave a lecture about "natural settling" and FDA enforced measurement uniformity. My instincts tell me that somebody opened the capsules, took half of the drugs out, and will dispense or use them at their hearts dictates--scot-free. Because who's to say I didn't alter them myself? After all, it's a "controlled substance" user's word against a drug company and or giant pharmacy chain. Anyone take these? Is it normal for the caps to be half full? I hope I'm wrong on this one.

[DirtSquirrel]

The powder in a vyvanse often gets compacted making the capsule seem less full.  Also, the few times ive opened one, they seem about 3 quarter filled which looks normal

[Mommyof4more]

I have had the exact same issues! My son started acting like he was off his meds and his capsules were all completely empty!!! The pharmacy cvs even implied I could have taken the powder out. They refused to fix it. I had to have my insurance override it and get new medication. So they got paid twice! Since then I check my meds when i pick up and they ALWAYS have different amounts of powder in them. Either they are screwing people to get money or someone is stealing the powder. Something is up. Sometimes my capsules are almost empty, half full or completely full. Has to be manufacturer. If anyone gets a law suit together, let me know. I am pretty sure tampering with kids meds or selling something without filing it is illegal.

[PAV9751]

My granddaughter looked at her 40mg Vyvanse pill this am & noticed that the capsule was only 1/2 filled w/ medication.   I got her RX filled at Walmart this time instead of Walgreens because her Dad changed jobs & his insurance hasn't gone into effect yet.  At first I examined the capsules to see if they had been tampered with.  I don't have a clue because I don't know what I'm looking for.  There seems to be a dimple in the green/bluish capsule side at the curved end.  Does everyone else see that on their capsule.  I know the capsules from Walgreens are almost full.  At least 3/4 full. The ones gotten at Walmart are only 1/2 full.  Maybe the pharmacist or pharmacy tech is tampering with the meds there!?  How would we know it how could we find out?

[NanaNette]

Maybe we all need to talk to a lawyer it's not right to mess with people medication

[bradvyvanse30]

I also have a very accurate scale and I see wide variations in weight and volume. Even when "full", some 30mg capsules only weigh 22mg (including the capsule). I have never had empty ones, but often have seen 1/2 full ones. With this many people seeing this, it has to be the manufacture!

[Hroyer]

My son has been on Vyvanse 30 mg for over 4 years and I went to a different pharmacy than I use but have used them in the past. So this past month I started to notice him acting differently as if he had forgot to take his meds and then his teachers started calling me about his behavior at school so I then checked his pills and I opened up every one that he had left in his bottle and they were all absolutely empty!! I am mortified, I called the pharmacy and talked to the pharmacist and he said I should call the manufacturer so that's what I will be doing. My son now has his meds from the pharmacy we usually use and I checked them and they are all full so hopefully this doesn't happen again. But, again this is my child's life...just makes me so upset.

[Johnson555]

Vyvanse capsules no matter what dose all have the same concentration of powder inside.  Meaning that a 20mg capsule will have less powder in it than a 70mg capsule.  For example, bc I do not know exactly, but say The powder is all 10mg of actual drug per 100mg of powder, with the extra 90mg being fillers...etc.  A 20 mg capsule will have 200mg of powder while a 70mg capsule will have 700mg of powder.  T

[NanaNette]

I have been on Vyvanse 70 mg for 5 years or longer and I took my medication this morning about 15 mins later nothing it was as if I didn't take anything, so I checked my pills and 13 of them was less than half full so I took another one and I was fine.  What am I suppose to do for those 13 days do without.  I never had this problem before.  From what I have been reading this is not a quodience, to many people are complains about the same problem.  I'm from Kentucky

[Sandman2]

   I am guessing that you would need a very accurate scale to measure any weight that small.  A scientific scale would work, but I doubt that any kitchen scale would.  Double check the size compared to your old pills.   Perhaps its just a one time thing?  Post and let us know if this is still a problem after say two more times - or if everything is now ok.

[Borte]

I have also noticed a significant reduction of the medication since I started it about a year and a half. In order to stretch it I would take some of the powder out and put it in another capsule. Mine are packed like really condensed like if they got wet and dried off. I have not mentioned it to anyone. Everyone is touchy with this medication unless you are a kid. I am a very careful patient. I do not drink alcohol use any illegal drugs, buy drugs or sell them. I have gone on a two day holiday to try to bump up the effect. 1) I have a lot of paperwork. I am getting a new job
2) any longer I am in pain because I have fibromyalgia. Surprisingly, the Vyvanse helps the body aches. 3) the holiday gives it two days of potency then it is back to working part of the day. It sucks because no one is going to believe us on this. I see my PA and he is very timid and I am sure he will not give an Adderall booster.I don't like Adderall. It has a lot of side effects. We are stuck on this.

[Michigancares]

Same issue. Wasn't getting any effect from them which is rare as I don't take them daily and have not built up a tolerance.. The pills have barely any powder in them but when I found an old one in my purse it was pretty full when i held it up to the light.  Nothing will ever come of it.. our word against big pharma... HA!