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.

[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!

[otisbird]

i've had the same experience this week. very disturbing.  but yes- quite the conundrum when you consider it's our word against big pharma. i think i'm just going to bring it up with my doctor and see what she says.

[otisbird]

i've had the same experience this week. very disturbing.  but yes- quite the conundrum when you consider it's our word against big pharma. i think i'm just going to bring it up with my doctor and see what she says.

[broseph120]

It probably has to do with settling, I noticed this too so I decided to weigh some capsules out. I have a very accurate scale, to the milligram, and the weights were pretty consistent even though some capsules appeared half full. A 50mg vyvanse weighs about 175mg including the capsule and there was little variance (+/-5mg) in any capsule, even comparing one that appeared completely full to one that appeared half full.  I also tried weighing just the powder of a full and half full capsule, they both weighed about 125mg. The half full one did have more "chunks" of powder though, a significant amount was compressed into a cylinder shape which is probably part of the reason why it appeared to have less powder. So it seems like the batch may impact how dense the powder is, but the weight seems consistent, which is probably the important part. But if you're getting completely empty capsules that is obviously something to be concerned about