Ritalin shortage

[Allie501]

My prescription for brand Ritalin is due tomorrow. My doctor ordered it with my pharmacy early so it would be ready for pick up on time. So today I get a text message that they can't fill it. When I called to find out why, I was told the manufacturer is out of it. Also told that they dont keep brand in stock. And that I'm the only one who uses brand at their pharmacy. They have no date when it will be in. Has anyone else heard that manufacturer is out of Ritalin? I called there today 11/28/2022.

[BlessedLady]

It is common for Schedule II drugs to be out of stock this time of year. The DEA limits the amount of active ingredients manufacturers receive each year. They have been steady reducing the amounts each year in recent years. Next year it will be less than in 2022. Usually these medications are back in stock in January or February

Most insurance will not pay for brands when a generic is made. So it is unusual to have a patient that has a prescription for it You can try a generic or ask your doctor about other another stimulant.

[Guitarist87 in reply to BlessedLady]

"They have been steady reducing the amounts each year in recent years." I need the evidence. Because I noticed Sandoz Generic is GARBAGE now for Adderall when it was PERFECT for years. What does this mean? That stimulants will be phased out and banned eventually? Pointless. But I still need the evidence that you claim about reducing active ingredients.

[Allie501 in reply to Guitarist87]

Let's hope stimulants arent done away with although seems they aren't working as well as before. Not because of building up a tolerance.

[Guitarist87 in reply to Allie501]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who noticed. I've been trying to build a case (anecdotal evidence is all we can use) since I'm not standing over a chemist seeing how much or how little they put in but I guarantee it's way less. FDA needs serious oversight on generics. This scares me. You know I don't even enjoy hobbies or see detail the way I used to on Sandoz Adderall IR. I've been loyal to them and this is how they treat us? PRAY a lawsuit happens. Public news and court hearings would put the biggest smile on my face and hope in this crazy world.

[BlessedLady in reply to Guitarist87]

The DEA does this every year. In recent years they have been steady decreasing All Schedule II drugs. That includes stimulants.

federalregister.gov/documen...

[Guitarist87 in reply to BlessedLady]

Been on Adderall 7 years never had issues with efficacy. Fairly the same. Something more to it than that. This isn't enough to go on and doesnt explain nor elaborate the focus of each manufacturer generic. Its not descriptive about whats changed in the pill and it doesnt even state that specifcally. Based on what i read its setting a quota on active ingredients as a whole for the YEAR.

[BlessedLady in reply to Guitarist87]

The DEA decides how much active ingredients each manufacturers receives for the year. Generic manufacturers have a little leeway on how much active ingredients they use compared to the brand. If I remember correctly, it is rough 8 mgs to 12 mgs per tablet for the bio equivalent. If you are looking for exactly how much active ingredients are in each generic tablet. You are not going to find it because that information is not released.

[BlessedLady in reply to Guitarist87]

You might find this interesting.

"In the US, the FDA requires the bioequivalence of the generic product to be between 80 percent and 125 percent of that of the original, branded product. Therein lies the major problem. For many people with ADHD, precise dosing is critical. They find their “sweet spot” and can’t go too much higher or lower without risking intolerable side effects–or insufficient positive effect."

chadd.org/attention-article...