Elvanse Doses and Strengths: Capsule Colours, Titration and Maximum Dose
A new prescription arrives and the capsule looks different from last month's. Or your prescriber mentions "going up to 50" and you wonder what that means, how far it goes and whether the next step will feel any different.
Dose questions are some of the most common ones people bring to a pharmacist. They are also ones where the answer is always, in the end, a conversation with your prescriber.
This guide explains the Elvanse strengths available in the UK, how to tell them apart, how dose changes usually work according to the official product information, and what a strength change means when your prescription reaches the pharmacy.
What doses does Elvanse come in? Elvanse capsules come in 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg and 70mg. According to the UK product information, treatment starts at 30mg once a day in the morning, or 20mg if the clinician thinks a lower start is appropriate, and can be increased by 10mg or 20mg at approximately weekly intervals. The maximum recommended dose is 70mg a day, or 50mg a day for people with severe kidney impairment. Your prescriber decides your dose.
Your prescriber assesses you, diagnoses ADHD, chooses your medicine and dose, and monitors your treatment. Pharmazon HomeCare checks, dispenses and delivers a valid prescription. We do not assess, diagnose or prescribe. For an overview of how Elvanse works and who it is licensed for, read our full Elvanse guide.
Elvanse strengths and capsule colours
Each strength has its own colour, which helps you and your pharmacist check you have the right one. These descriptions come from the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).
| Strength | Capsule body | Capsule cap |
|---|---|---|
| Elvanse 20mg | Ivory | Ivory |
| Elvanse 30mg | White | Pink |
| Elvanse 40mg | White | Blue/green |
| Elvanse 50mg | White | Blue |
| Elvanse 60mg | Aqua blue | Aqua blue |
| Elvanse 70mg | Blue | Pink |
Every capsule is printed with "S489" and its strength in black ink. Packs are listed as 28, 30 or 90 capsules, although not all pack sizes may be marketed. Store below 25°C.
If your capsules look different from what you expect, check the strength on the label and ask your pharmacist before taking one. Colours differ in other countries: the US product, Vyvanse, has orange caps on its 30mg and 70mg capsules. See Elvanse vs Vyvanse.
What about Elvanse Adult?
emc lists "Elvanse Adult" capsules as discontinued. The active ingredient is the same. If your prescription names Elvanse Adult, your pharmacy will confirm what can be supplied. Read more in our guide to Elvanse Adult being discontinued.
How Elvanse dosing works
The SmPC sets out the licensed approach. This is for information only. Your prescriber decides your dose, based on how you respond and any side effects.
| Step | What the SmPC says |
|---|---|
| Starting dose | 30mg once daily in the morning, or 20mg when the clinician judges a lower start appropriate |
| Increases | 10mg or 20mg at a time, at approximately weekly intervals, using the lowest effective dose |
| Maximum dose | 70mg a day. Higher doses have not been studied |
| Severe kidney impairment | Maximum 50mg a day |
| Older adults | Data are limited. Dexamfetamine clearance is reduced, so dose adjustment may be required |
| No improvement | Treatment must be stopped if symptoms do not improve after appropriate dose adjustment over a one-month period |
| Review | At least yearly if used for more than 12 months, with trial periods off medication considered |
What titration means
Titration is the process of adjusting the dose step by step until it gives the most benefit with side effects you can manage. The SmPC says dosage should be individualised, so there is no single correct dose for everyone. Two people with similar symptoms can end up on different strengths.
During titration your prescriber will usually ask about focus, mood, sleep, appetite and side effects. The SmPC says blood pressure, pulse and mental state should be recorded at each dose adjustment and at least every 6 months, and the PIL says the same checks apply whenever the dose is changed.
How to take your dose
According to the SmPC and PIL:
- Take one capsule each morning. The PIL says to avoid taking it in the afternoon because of the possibility of sleep disturbances.
- With or without food. The SmPC says food does not affect the total amount of dexamfetamine absorbed but delays the peak by about 1 hour.
- Swallow the capsule whole, or open it. If swallowing is difficult, open the capsule and empty the entire contents into soft food such as yoghurt, or into water or orange juice, stir until fully mixed and take it straight away. Do not store the mixture. A film left in the glass is not the active ingredient.
- Do not split a capsule. The SmPC says patients should not take less than one capsule a day and a single capsule should not be divided.
In clinical studies, effects were still present 13 hours after dosing in children and 14 hours in adults. Read more in how long does Elvanse last.
Missed doses and taking too much
If you forget a dose: the PIL says do not take a double dose. If you forget, wait until the next day.
If you take too much: talk to a doctor or call an ambulance straight away, and tell them how much you have taken.
If you want to stop: do not stop without talking to your prescriber first. ADHD symptoms may come back.
What if your dose does not feel right?
It is common to wonder whether a dose is too high or too low. Do not adjust it yourself, and do not take an extra capsule later in the day. Instead, note what you notice and share it with your prescriber.
| What you notice | What to tell your prescriber |
|---|---|
| Effects seem to fade early in the day | When symptoms return and how that affects you |
| Feeling jittery, anxious or irritable | When it starts and how long it lasts |
| Poor sleep | What time you take your dose and when you fall asleep |
| Little appetite, weight dropping | What you eat and when |
| Racing heart or palpitations | Contact your prescriber promptly. Seek urgent help for chest pain |
For side effects in more detail, see our guide to Elvanse side effects, or read what happens if ADHD medication stops working.
How a strength change affects your prescription
Elvanse is a Schedule 2 controlled drug. That affects how dose changes reach the pharmacy.
- A new strength needs a new prescription from your prescriber.
- Prescriptions must be dispensed within 28 days of the date on them.
- Supply is usually limited to 30 days' treatment at a time. This is a recommendation, not a legal limit.
- No repeat dispensing. Schedule 2 controlled drugs cannot be prescribed on repeat dispensing prescriptions, so each supply needs its own prescription.
- Private prescriptions in England must be on the private controlled drug form (FP10PCD) with the prescriber's private prescriber identification number, and Pharmazon HomeCare needs the original paper copy.
During titration your dose may change often, so ask your prescriber how the new prescription will be sent and when. Our ADHD repeat prescription support page explains more, and Is Elvanse a controlled drug? covers the rules in full.
Getting your Elvanse prescription dispensed
Pharmazon HomeCare is a GPhC-registered pharmacy in the Harley Street Medical Area, part of the Excelsior Health group. We dispense valid prescriptions from GPs, psychiatrists and private ADHD clinics. We do not assess, diagnose or prescribe. This includes dose changes during titration. Find out more about Elvanse prescription delivery.
Why Pharmazon HomeCare: every prescription is checked by a GPhC-registered pharmacist before anything is dispensed, and medicines are sent by tracked, signed-for delivery in discreet packaging. Delivery options depend on the order, and we cannot guarantee stock of any strength. Get in touch with our pharmacy team. Clinics and prescribers: Become a clinic partner.
Related guides
- Elvanse side effects
- How long Elvanse lasts
- How a private Elvanse prescription works
- Is Elvanse a controlled drug?
- Elvanse and alcohol
- Elvanse vs Vyvanse
- Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine) for ADHD: full guide
- Elvanse prescription delivery
- ADHD medication UK: prescriptions, dispensing and delivery
- ADHD medication FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What strengths does Elvanse come in?
20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg and 70mg capsules.
What is the usual starting dose of Elvanse?
The SmPC states 30mg once daily in the morning, or 20mg when the clinician judges a lower start appropriate. Your prescriber decides your dose.
What is the maximum dose of Elvanse?
70mg a day. Higher doses have not been studied. For people with severe kidney impairment, the maximum is 50mg a day.
How quickly can an Elvanse dose be increased?
The SmPC describes increases of 10mg or 20mg at approximately weekly intervals, guided by your prescriber.
What colour is Elvanse 30mg?
A white body with a pink cap, printed "S489" and "30 mg".
What colour are Elvanse 50mg and 70mg?
The 50mg capsule has a white body and a blue cap. The 70mg capsule has a blue body and a pink cap.
Can I open an Elvanse capsule?
Yes. Empty the entire contents into soft food such as yoghurt, or into water or orange juice, mix until fully dispersed and take it straight away. Do not store the mixture.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Elvanse?
Do not take a double dose. The leaflet says to wait until the next day.
Can I take Elvanse in the afternoon?
The leaflet advises avoiding afternoon doses because of the possibility of sleep disturbances. Take it in the morning unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
Is a higher dose of Elvanse better?
Not necessarily. The right dose balances benefit and side effects for you, and the SmPC says to use the lowest effective dose. Talk to your prescriber if your dose does not feel right.
Do I need a new prescription if my strength changes?
Yes. Your prescriber needs to issue a new prescription for the new strength. Elvanse is a Schedule 2 controlled drug, and a prescription must be dispensed within 28 days of its date.
Can Pharmazon HomeCare dispense my new strength?
Once we receive a valid prescription, our pharmacists check it and arrange tracked, signed-for delivery. We cannot guarantee stock of any strength, so ask us about availability when you send your prescription.
References
- Elvanse 30mg Hard Capsules, Summary of Product Characteristics. Takeda UK Ltd. emc, text revised 2 October 2026. Accessed 6 November 2026. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14089/smpc
- Elvanse Hard Capsules, Patient Information Leaflet. Takeda UK Ltd. emc, revised October 2026. Accessed 6 November 2026. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14089/pil
- Community Pharmacy England. Dispensing controlled drugs factsheet, April 2026. https://cpe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Dispensing-CDs-factsheet-April-26.pdf
- NHS Business Services Authority. Controlled drug prescribing. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2024-09/Controlled%20drug%20prescribing.pdf
- VYVANSE (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules and chewable tablets, prescribing information. Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. DailyMed, updated 30 April 2026. Accessed 6 November 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=704e4378-ca83-445c-8b45-3cfa51c1ecad
About this page. This page is general information based on the sources listed above. It does not replace advice from your prescriber or pharmacist, and it is not medical advice. Pharmazon HomeCare is a dispensing pharmacy. Decisions about your ADHD medicine, dose and monitoring are made by your prescriber. Product information and guidance can change, so always read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Pharmazon HomeCare. GPhC-registered pharmacy: 9011805. Superintendent Pharmacist: Mohammed Abou Daya (GPhC: 2083143).