Vyvanse, a stimulant, and ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, are both being explored for treating depression, though they have different mechanisms of action. [1], [2] Currently, there is limited research on combining these medications.
One potential advantage is that Vyvanse could counteract the sedative effects of ketamine, allowing patients to remain alert. [3] However, both drugs carry risks of cardiovascular effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure. [4] High doses also increase the likelihood of psychosis and cognitive impairment.
Ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects within hours, while Vyvanse can take weeks to improve mood. Ketamine also helps reduce suicidality faster than conventional antidepressants. [2] Therefore, ketamine may be preferable for quickly alleviating severe depression.
More research is required to determine if Vyvanse augments and prolongs ketamine’s antidepressant actions, as animal studies suggest stimulants may do. [5] Clinicians should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of this combination, as data on optimal dosing, timing, and long-term effects are lacking.
In conclusion, while Vyvanse may potentially counteract ketamine’s sedation, combining stimulant and dissociative drugs carries risks. More studies are needed before clinical recommendations regarding their combined usage can be made.
- Cahill, C.M. & Cadet, J.L. (2020). Amphetamine and Methamphetamine. Neurotherapeutics, 17(1), 334–344.
- Abdallah, C.G., Sanacora, G., Duman, R.S. & Krystal, J.H. (2015). Ketamine and rapid-acting antidepressants: a window into a new neurobiology for mood disorder therapeutics. Annual review of medicine, 66, 509-523.
- Krystal, J.H., Karper, L.P., Seibyl, J.P., Freeman, G.K., Delaney, R., Bremner, J.D., Heninger, G.R., Bowers Jr, M.B. & Charney, D.S. (1994). Subanesthetic effects of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, ketamine, in humans: psychotomimetic, perceptual, cognitive, and neuroendocrine responses. Archives of general psychiatry, 51(3), 199-214.
- Winslow, B.T., Onysko, M., Hebert, M. & Hallagan, L.D. (2016). Medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. American family physician, 93(5).
- Kim, J., Ham, S., Hong, H., Moon, M. & Choi, S.H. (2019). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor enhances the antidepressant-like effect of amphetamine. Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology: official journal of the Korean Physiological Society and the Korean Society of Pharmacology, 23(5), 335.