Adderall is backordered. Any other medications to take?

[Wiley221]

Hello! My regular prescription for Adderall is backordered and no pharmacies around me seem to have any in stock nor can they give me an answer. My doctor has not been much of a help through this (that is another story that will be dealt with at another time) but has anyone else experienced this? Is there anything that I can do while I do not have medication or is there an OTC option that you've found helpful? I made it through the week last week without it and now I'm not feeling any side effects from the medication, just the effects of the ADHD. Let me know your thoughts. All feedback is welcome and appreciated!

[BTV65]

Yeah, it's happened to me in the past. Calling around to local pharmacies as you have done is the right first step. Make sure to look into all the options. I started going to Walmart after CVS kept running out. Then I went to Walgreens a couple times, when Walmart was out. Typically they can tell you when the next delivery is due and if the anticipated amount is already spoken for. Mostly places will get two deliveries each week, so I'm shocked you would go longer than a week without finding any place that could fill your script.

Check grocery store pharmacies as well as chains and Walmart.

[Wiley221 in reply to BTV65]

Thanks. I've spent the week doing that. Nobody has it here and they don't know when they will get it. I did learn that most pharmacies place orders on Mondays and receive deliveries on Fridays, and locally they do it weekly, so I'm going to call around Friday afternoon to see if they have received it. Last week Walgreen's told me they order it weekly and it doesn't come, so I'm not holding out much hope. CVS, Publix, Walmart, Winn Dixie, etc. does not have it here.

[BTV65 in reply to Wiley221]

I'm scratching my head over this. You can't be alone. ADHD is just too prevalent across the country. I don't believe mail order is an option either, since it is a controlled substance. I'll give it more thought, but I really don't have much else to contribute at the moment.

[FindingTheAnswers in reply to BTV65]

Mail order used to be an option, which was great, but I think the DEA put a stop to it. When I 1st started taking Adderall, I had to have a written Script. Then the Script was only good for 2 weeks. Later it was good for thirty days(?). Then the Dr had to write down quantity of 30, but also had to write the word 'Thirty' or the Script was invalid. This all to stop the abuse of Stimulants. Now they can send the Script electronically straight to the pharmacy. But what road blocks are they going to throw at us next?

Also, as others have mentioned, Vyvanse worked for me. But the dosage was strange (way different) than Adderall.. There are dextroamphetamines (Adderall), and levoamphetamines, and they're like a 'mirror' image of each other (That's the most I could get out of reading about them). Anyway, levoamphetamines, name brand or generic, does not work for me. Just some information for you. Hang in there.

[Wiley221]

Yep! Each time I get the "no", I ask if the pharmacist is getting asked by other patients and what they are telling everyone. It seems that there is no compassion. Other folks in other areas of the country don't seem to have this issue, so it could be a Florida-specific problem. Thanks for the response though!

[Musicteacher2013 in reply to Wiley221]

It's the same in Utah. I can't ever get it filled. I just don't take it on days I don't need it but always make sure to refill as soon as it's legal so I can get it. I also will cut pills in half. It's sad that the supply chain is short but if we can survive or manage on less drugs it's probably better for our bodies. Plus not making big pharma any richer!! Best wishes!

[Gettingittogether]

Wow, try Vyvanse or Dexedrine ... they are in the same amphetamine family as Adderall.

Or give Ritalin a try for perhaps a totally different experience.

[hauntedbeansalad]

Hey Wiley, sorry to hear about your situation. I was taking general Adderall (mixed amph. salts) XR 20mg for about 3 years. I started to get an overall tolerance to Adderall so my provider actualy recommended me making the switch to generic Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) XR 10mg back in June 2021. I'd say the switch has been working for me well. I know everyone' s different though... Anyway, when I was on generic Adderall how much of a pain it was to fill it because of shortages. I haven't had an trouble with getting generic Focalin. Hope you find a solution soon. You got this!

[BlessedLady]

Each year the DEA sets quotes for how much Schedule II active ingredients each manufacturer can have. They have been reducing the amount each year for the past several years. It is not uncommon for there to be shortages towards the end of the year and/or the beginning of the year. Have you tried Independent Pharmacies ?

[FindingTheAnswers in reply to BlessedLady]

CONSPIRACY!!!! (it truly does seem like a Conspiracy or mind game). And to the DEA, stop changing the rules!

[Little-Face in reply to BlessedLady]

Hi, Blessed Lady. If you have time and don't mind, will you please provide a source pertaining to your comment? If the DEA's not only setting yearly quotas prohibiting drug manufactures from producing active ingredients found in CII medications that many in this community use, but also reducing those quotas by a set percent each year -- that's disturbing.

Demand for amphetamine based ingredients outpacing supplies/year will cause price hikes in a market where ADHD medications are already ridiculously expensive. I've never had health insurance so can't compare prices to those who're insured. However, a few days ago, the cost of 30, 70mg Vyvanse was $379. There's only one reason I was able to fill that aforementioned prescription. The fact I qualified for Takeda's Help At Hand Patient Assistance & Support Program.

If anyone with health insurance reads this, I'd be curious to know what you pay for the same medication listed in the previous paragraph? I know different insurance plans will result in fluctuating prices but, I'm still curious.

[BlessedLady in reply to Little-Face]

Adderall is a Schedule II drug. Even though opioids are focused on. The quotas apply to All Schedule I and Schedule II drugs along with several List I chemicals. Below is the link to the Proposed Quotas for 2022.

federalregister.gov/documen...

[Little-Face in reply to BlessedLady]

Hi, BlessedLady. Thanks for such a quick response including the link I asked for! I've bookmarked a lot of pages for future research, but from what I've read so far, the Department of Justice's decision to take such an overreaching War On Opioid approach as a means to prohibit over prescribing and diversion related deaths. Has now doomed psychostimulants as collateral damage due to their schedule II status. A harm reduction approach, modeled from using a combination of Portugal and Scandinavian territories would save more lives than the United States prohibitionary measures -- which always fail. These are topics for other threads, through, but I truly do appreciate the resources you've opened my eyes up to. 😉

[weezy19688 in reply to Little-Face]

I have Aetna insurance, I pay 10 bucks for 28 30 mg orange pills

[weezy19688 in reply to weezy19688]

I live in Pennsylvania and the shortage has hit here

[Mtron]

Omg are you serious is this about to happen to me in Ohio??!

[SunniM]

Hi, I ran into this around a year ago. I called every pharmacy chain in the area or went in person and none of them were willing to help. I was told they couldn’t give out any info about when they might get a shipment since it’s a schedule II. I eventually found a small mom and pop type pharmacy that has been amazing. The pharmacist always makes sure he has it in stock for me and even goes above and beyond by attempting to have the particular brand of generic that works best for me. Hope that helps. I feel for you too. I know what it’s like to be without my med.

[Viper42]

Hey Wiley

I can provide you and all some valuable info on this. 1st off...im a pharmacist in NY. I have dealt very heavily in my career in ordering and managing controlled substance orders. The issue you are having is that 2 manufacturers have backed away from producing the drug. When that happens, whoever is left now has to adjust their production to compensate for all the total usage. Its a hard thing to do. This has been happening a lot more in the industry over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, when it does happen, the reasons for it are not always given nor is the manufacturer required to provide the reason ( ridiculous if you ask me). I will say this to all...when you are told their is a backorder situation mist of the time its accurate. To check on this, anyone can access whats called the ASHP Drug Shortage list. This is a public listing that posts drug supply problems, who the manufacturer is, what reason, if given, there is for the shortage and an estimated turn around time. Here is the link for Adderall as of today

ashp.org/drug-shortages/cur...

This Adderall issue has been present since at least November 2021.

Next thing all should know especially with smaller pharmacies. I dont like that this happens but its a sad truth..some pharmacies will say they can't get a product because there could be a substantial loss in regards to reimbursement. Factors like carrying cost, how often a product will be used. Just like in any other store, all come into play. If other than the Adderall, you are an otherwise healthy person, to just supply Adderall will not make sense from a business standpoint. Since this comes across as callous, you get the unavailable statement. Try larger outlets if you can if you are seeing this pattern.

Last point: each pharmacy will operate as it sees best to do so from a business perspective. Some places order daily, others as mentioned weekly etc. But in this electronic era, most pharmacies transmit their control orders electronically as well. Turnaround time for these shipments, in my experience has been 24 hrs. Unless there some remote distribution site that requires more time, I see no reason for it to be longer regardless of it being controlled. Personally, I just blasted my Walgreens just a week ago for pulling the "it takes a few days" trick. I asked the tech which wholesaler they use...Amerisource Bergen....I asked her..do you transmit via Electronic CSOS....yes they do....I said good. Im a pharmacist and use the same one....all of those shipments come from a center less than 20 min from the store.....from there I heard the silence.

So I hope this helps..my experience as a pharmacist, patient, and fellow ADHD guy I feel would be helpful here. Be sure to take into account each state has different rules for hiw controlled substances are governed. My knowledge is based on New York. Sorry for the long reply. Best of luck

David

[dede2012]

this is crazy, i'm on concerta and before i left the doctor's office she told me that 5 pharmacies did not have it, so seems like adhd meds are in short supply and additionally with the covid situation a lot of deliveries are delayed, and for people like us adhd'ers we have to have the meds like right now

[Wiley221]

Thanks for the feedback, all. I really appreciate it. I was using a telehealth service but after receiving less than stellar care on many occasions from them, I am now seeking a local, in-person provider. The last straw came yesterday when I asked my provider about alternative medications to take in place of Adderall and she said "Try Ritalin." As if I could just go to Target and buy it off the shelf and pop it, right? No follow up of "I will write you a script for that to try..." or anything. The hope of a local provider for this is that they will have a knowledge of prescription inventory and availability locally and will be able to mitigate much of the red tape I've been going through. I am taking Intuniv right now that was left over from before I started Adderall. It is not perfect and the side effects are somewhat intense (headaches, fatigue, etc.) but at least it helps chemically regulate my brain, and it is better than taking nothing. I'm on a few waiting lists for local practitioners and as soon as I can get into see one and get the prescription issue sorted out, I will stay in touch and let you know how it is going.

[Gettingittogether]

What are bugging the online guy to prescribe Ritalin.

[Wiley221 in reply to Gettingittogether]

I'm not. That was their suggestion, with no follow-up or background info.

[Gettingittogether]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I listen to a podcast with two counselors, and they keep saying they have never seen mental health providers so booked in their entire careers. And I'm betting that psychiatrist is ridiculously rushed (but no excuse for him doing what he did in not providing a dag-on rx!) ...

[Hidden]

This happened offton to my son also. But never weeks ideally just took to other pharmacy. He only took it when he was in school so always had extra. Because he couldn't go with out it or school would show up at home with him to take meds. Good luck try asking your insurance.

[Amavrick]

Its happened to me in the past as well.

Calling pharmacies will not work simply because it could be related to planning of criminal activity.

Here is how I solved the problem.

I have been getting my 90 day prescription (20Mg 3 times/day= 270 Tabs) filled by mail order (OptiumRX).

I haven't run into any issues at all and its much less expensive than retail.

Good luck

[Musicteacher2013]

And then my son tells me about his friend that abuses Adderall. So there you have it friends, no wonder!

Supply chain issues are happening with everything and prices are soaring. Do what you can to save a little each month when you don't absolutely need the meds. The world might get worse before it gets better.

Best wishes to you all as we navigate these challenges. We are stronger together than divided, remember. Regardless of our views on politics or religion! Stand together.

[jmys99]

Happens to me all the time in PA. Every few months I have to suffer a week or maybe two weeks without it. Aka today! I went to CVS and they’re on back order… Making my way down the list of pharmacies to call 😢