Elvanse shortage UK

[StanleyThyroid]

There's currently a shortage of stimulant medication here in the UK. I have contacted Takeda who manufacture it and have received the reply saying it should be available by 30th October!

I am interested how people are managing this shortfall and what alternatives there are. I am also contacting my clinician.

From Takeda

We currently have supply interruptions with Elvanse Adult 50mg and we are working with our supply teams to address these interruptions as quickly as possible.

Whilst the exact duration of the shortage is unknown, the current anticipated date of stock availability (at the time of writing) for Elvanse Adult 50mg is from the week commencing 30/10/2023.

Maintaining continuity of supply is of utmost importance to us and our most challenging circumstance is when our medicines are not available. We appreciate how challenging this can be for individuals and their families.

We are monitoring the situation closely and we encourage you to speak with your clinician or pharmacist should you have any further questions regarding your treatment.

If you have additional questions or experience any side effects, we suggest that you also contact your doctor or pharmacist. As a healthcare professional, they can use their clinical judgement, knowledge of your medical history and available clinical information to make informed decisions about your treatment.

[Alexandra57]

Hi StanleyThyroid, I’m having a real problem getting my 60mg dose too. The pharmacist suggested I get a prescription for a different mg but now that one is having supply problems too!

I’ve now rung around other pharmacies to check if they have stock and thankfully found one that does so perhaps it’s worth trying all your local ones.

Good luck!

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Alexandra57]

Thank you, tried 6 yesterday and the boots online checker nothing at all ☹️ Just waiting to see what my clinician says

[Frodoles in reply to StanleyThyroid]

I was able to get some for my daughter. She had tried 6 chemist and me 3. We are not at the same Dr so tried my chemist and very fortunately they had not quite a full box. Was a great relief for my daughter I can tell you.

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Frodoles]

Well done you. I have called over 20 now. I need 50s but they won't give me 20+30 without my gp approval. As its shared care the gp won't approve it so I have finally got my clinician to write a letter saying I can the 2 doses to make up what I need. Now hoping it's still in stock.

I heard back from takeda who said that it won't get back to normal until November!

[Frodoles in reply to StanleyThyroid]

Yes my daughter has shared care too. Maybe it would be a good idea if she contacted her clinician and got him to right to get doctor. Will tell her. Thanks for the info. Apparently the 50's are coming back Oct 31st but not holding my breath.

[Frodoles in reply to Frodoles]

I think it's been a stressful day and my spelling had gone out the window😂 write not right !! Couldn't find an edit button either.

[djmizzo11]

Here too. It has been a nightmare. After traveling numerous times to other cities to find anything, I started to ask my pharmacist a week in advance to put some aside for me. SHE DID IT!

Horrible. I am useless and depressed without them. I'm a pharma addict. I hate it.

***No advice please. I am 50 and have been dealing with this since I was 19. I have heard and done 90% of the "remedies". Thank you though.

[STEM_Dad in reply to djmizzo11]

It's good that you know what does and doesn't work for you. I'm only 3 months into my ADHD treatment journey (as well as treating anxiety and depression).I had never gotten medication for these things before age 45, and wish I had done so much earlier.

It took 6 months to figure out the right ADHD meds for me. My medication is a non-stimulant (atomoxetine) that doesn't seem to be impacted by the stimulant shortages.

[djmizzo11 in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you. I wanted to try Strattera but you can not take that if you are on Prozac.

I am also going to ask about hormone replacement therapy.

Do not give up team!! There are so many options and do not allow a dr to tell you otherwise.

We have to do our homework because many doctors are not aware of the latest interventions.

[Turkey221]

Hi, I am new to this group so unsure of the etiquette, apologies in advanced.Re..shortage/elvanse unavailable in uk.

How do I ask /post question, is it possible to order Elvanse from abroad online and how do you do this ?

Marian x

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Turkey221]

Hi Marian welcome and you did fine posting. Elvanse and other stimulants are controlled drugs and certainly in the UK (but I am sure elsewhere) require a prescription from your doctor. You will also need to have a formal diagnosis of adhd.

[Turkey221 in reply to StanleyThyroid]

I have prescription just medication is unavailable in uk x

[Turkey221]

Hi Stanley, Thanks.

It is because of elvanse shortage/unavailability in uk that i wanted to learn other supply options.

X

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Turkey221]

Ah sorry misunderstood. You cant legally import any controlled drug that requires a prescription into the UK as an individual.

That said, I finally got my prescription for elvanse 50mg changed to 20+30 and the pharmacy have managed to get that for me. If you have a good pharmacist worth going to talk to them as well as your clinician about options as they may have ideas or alternatives.

I hope you are able to get what you need.

[Turkey221]

Hi Stanley, Good news for you!Yes i agree its very hard for pharmacy etc .

Do you think the shortage is partly driven by sudden "in thing" so many recent diagnosis?

Nice to have met you and thanks for keeping us informed , hopefully November things will be resolved x

[StanleyThyroid in reply to Turkey221]

Well I think it is driven by an increase in diagnoses and awareness of the condition which is a good thing. Only speaking for Elvanse, but it has been under copyright protection for 10 years but now is out of that period so other manufacturers will be able to create there own "generic" version. That will i)increase supply and ii) make it cheaper. Nice to meet you too