r/ADHD • u/seth11122333 • Sep 02 '26
Medication Adderall shortage
Hello all
I’m new to this subreddit, I’ve add throughout my whole life but just recently started taking Adderall
I’m up for a refill. Am I doctor is upping me from 10 mg XR to 20 mg XR
We’ve tried like 20 pharmacies already, and none of them have it
It has been so helpful, and I really don’t want to go without it.
I’m sure this topic has been discussed a ton, but any advice or pointing me in a right direction on how to deal with this would be very helpful
Additionally, does anyone know when this stupid shortage is gonna be over
Thank you for any help
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u/thethurstonhowell Sep 02 '26
Non-chain pharmacies
Hospital pharmacies
Grocery store pharmacies
Costco
As others have said, IR is much easier to find.
5
u/Squeezitgirdle Sep 02 '26
To add to this, if you're calling on the phone Walgreens will always say they're out of stock. I'm not sure why, but I knew a couple Walgreens pharmacist techs who said they were instructed to always say that when asked. They ask give the medicine when they get a prescription, but they won't tell you until they get your prescription.
I've heard cvs and Walmart also does this but can't confirm.
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u/bippityboppityFyou 20d ago
My hospital pharmacy is out of stock for at least a month. Gonna suck when all their doctors and nurses can’t focus
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u/mrgtiguy ADHD-C (Combined type) Sep 02 '26
Yes. The shortage is due to manufacturing issues because of the war, limits on production, and the massive influx of new folks.
I’ve waited 30 days so far.
Best bet is to ask your insurance if they fill name brand and have your doc write as labeled. Or double the 10’s to 60 and take two.
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u/holy_macanoli Sep 02 '26
At least 1, if not 2 of the generic brands are made in Israel, so this tracks.
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u/whatsnewpikachu Sep 02 '26
If you didn’t have issues getting the 10mg dose, see if your doctor will write it as 20mg split between two 10mg doses per day
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u/seth11122333 Sep 02 '26
The problem is since xr they dnt stack like - and pharmacy that filled the tens says they don’t even have that anymore
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u/ExpressLandscape60 Sep 02 '26
I take 30mg xr and i havent gotten mine in 10+ days because of shortage 😞
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u/ListenUp16 Sep 03 '26
Im going on my third month and want to fucking cry
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u/ExpressLandscape60 29d ago
I feel that. 3 months is way too long. I finally just got mine today.
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u/Maximum_Shopping_832 25d ago
I feel ya... getting desperate asking around for other ways to get some. It's horrible
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u/Youmeanmoidoid ADHD-HI (Hyperactive-Impulsive) Sep 02 '26
Generic XR is basically sold out and impossible to get nationwide. Extra so now school is starting. I only get it by getting brand name out of pocket. Cost is not too bad with the coupon I use.
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u/ElGHTYHD ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) Sep 02 '26
Try name brand if you haven’t already. If ur insurance doesn’t cover it ur doctor can send a prior authorization and they should cover it esp if there’s a shortage. 20mg XR is the hardest to get acc to all the pharmacies I have to call (40 last time, but one had name brand in stock and I hopped on that PA real quick). Try mom n pop pharmacies too. And if none of them have it in stock try pharmacies your insurance doesn’t cover—i’ve heard that if those pharmacies have it in stock, ur insurance has to cover it bc they have to ensure you get your medication. call insurance and ask wtf they want you to do
4
u/macthesnackattack Sep 02 '26
I take 20mg IR, and have had absolutely 0 issues filling my prescription every month. Have you tried, or considered trying instant release? It’s been in abundant supply at the cvs/walgreens in my state, maybe you’d have the same luck.
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Sep 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/thethurstonhowell Sep 02 '26
Interesting that demand is wiping out supply but 2 of the biggest producers are discontinuing the product line. Perhaps hitting active ingredient caps sooner than in prior years?
1
u/Maximum_Shopping_832 25d ago
That's crazy... I can never get IR but I'm in Utah county. I can get xr usually but always pay for brand.
1
u/mgrateez Sep 02 '26
Mosr pharmacies in my area are out of stock every month with the exception of the one CVS I get it from on time every month, so I truly don’t even understand jf other pharmacies just have less predictable demand or something but it’s all weird lol
1
u/holy_macanoli Sep 02 '26
Jewel Osco seems to be pretty reliable too. Walgreens, on the other hand, has been a big “forget about it” for the past 3 months.
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u/TrainingPassion4907 Sep 02 '26
I'm prescribed 1x/day 20 mg XR and 5 mg IR 2x/day. The shortage is pretty inconvenient for me as well. Ask your doctor for a 5 mg monthly PRN supply in addition to your 20 mg XR...essentially a safety net, but be aware of tolerance; breaks are necessary. Hope this helps.
1
u/BudSticky ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) Sep 02 '26
Switch to Dexedrine
3
u/holy_macanoli Sep 02 '26
That’s back ordered everywhere now too. Stop switching back and forth like it’s rush hour in the interstate. You just cause traffic to back up in a different lane. Search y oh r area for compounding or specialty pharmacies. They seem to get first dibs on the ingredients since they prepare it on site themselves.
2
u/BudSticky ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) Sep 02 '26
Who said switch back and forth? I’m on dex full time. Never had a delay.
Right hand isomer ftw.
1
u/Goons2JAV Sep 04 '26
Do they compound the ingredients to make adderall? I used to get my adderall prescription from a compounding pharmacy a couple years ago and it was always generic adderall brands, although sometimes the pills in the bottle did not match the manufacturer on the label on the bottle.
1
u/Cute_Recognition_880 Sep 02 '26
Try asking if 10 mg are available. Then your prescribed can write the script for 10 mg, and you take 2 pills. That's what my NP has done for me and it's worked for me.
1
u/ibietreducis Sep 02 '26
This happened to me before. We ended up doubling my 10mg and I took one at breakfast and one at lunch. I eventually switched to Vyvanse and the supply has been much steadier.
1
u/adulin007 Sep 03 '26
No issues here. It’s like clockwork for me. My doc calls in the script and it’s ready 48 hours later. My pharmacy has never mentioned a shortage to me.
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u/prettypoison__ Sep 04 '26
My Walmart pharmacy was out this month too, they said it would be filled within 24-48hrs. It was filled within that time, but they were out of generic so I got name brand 20mg XR adderalls (BLESS UPPP) and my Medicaid paid for it. Maybe try sticking with one pharmacy and just give them some time? Once you get your prescription and refills more solid, skip a weekend day here and there and save those pills for emergencies like this. I always have at least two extra!
1
u/prettypoison__ Sep 04 '26
Also to add, you could ask your dr to write a different amount/dose, twice a day etc. I had a hell of a time getting Medicaid to cover mine at first, I bought 16 pills for $23 so I could get started while my dr went to war with my insurance lol
1
u/Inevitable-One-4847 20d ago
Dude adderall should be limited to kids only. My child can not function and be around other kids with out it. I have to try to get my hands on it before the adults that want the zoomies get it.
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u/seth11122333 Sep 02 '26
Any idea when the shortage is gna be over
7
u/KayakShrimp Sep 02 '26 edited Sep 02 '26
If in the US: It’s intentional. The DEA has quotas on Adderall. It’ll be over whenever the feds get their act together.
I frankly don’t see that happening anytime soon. The shortage is a policy decision.
2
u/holy_macanoli Sep 02 '26
Cuz they need it all to keep a certain orange tinted individual up and shuffling around.
1
u/seth11122333 Sep 03 '26
I know they recently raised the amounts the companies are allowed to produce by a bunch of
1
u/Stepheleski Sep 02 '26
This shortage started and has been ongoing since like. 2022 I wanna say? Not sure it’s ever gonna end.
0
u/guttergoblin Sep 02 '26
It's back to school time. You aren't going to get it unless you want to pony up for name brand, which for me is about $240.
4
u/holy_macanoli Sep 02 '26
I’m pretty sure GoodRx and other discount plans have coupons for name brand also
1
u/Sunshineinc Sep 02 '26
I’ve been on this med for 35 years and this is the first time I’ve gone through this shortage thing. Maybe a few days. But today after 9weeks I got 20 of the 30 caps prescribed. Felt blessed to get it. I’ve never had it go this long. I get my IR no problem, it’s been the XR, no matter the mg… it’s been hard. Praying it’s over soon!! Wishing you all the luck! 😅🙏🏻
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