The Ongoing Adderall Shortage | What You Need To Know

About 16 million Americans use prescription stimulants, which are drugs that boost your energy and focus. One of the most popular prescription stimulants is Adderall. 

Consisting of amphetamine mixed salts, it can help treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness). 

In 2022, the United States has been facing an Adderall shortage. Here’s what you should know about it. 

The 2022 Adderall Shortage

On October 12, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide shortage of the immediate-release formulation of Adderall. 

The shortage began in late July, when Teva Pharmaceuticals (the largest manufacturer of generic Adderall) started experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays due to labor shortages. 

These delays have affected all of the drug’s strengths, including the most commonly prescribed strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg. Teva expects to resolve this shortage by March 2023. 

In addition, other pharmaceutical companies have reported shortages of extended-release Adderall. 

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has a short supply of the drug in 5 mg, 15 mg, and 25 mg strengths. Similarly, Rhodes Pharmaceuticals is facing a shortage of the 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg, and 30 mg strengths, while Sandoz is short on the 15 mg and 20 mg strengths. 

What Caused The Adderall Shortage?

The 2022 Adderall shortage occurred due to rising demand for the drug, the emergence of telehealth startups, and manufacturing limits based on its controlled substance status. 

Rise In ADHD Diagnoses

In the past year, Adderall prescriptions increased by 15 percent. This increase resulted from a rise in ADHD diagnoses. 

Telehealth Startups

It may also be linked to the emergence of telehealth startups that offer online mental health services, including Adderall prescriptions. These startups, which include Cerebral and Done, deliver Adderall and other ADHD medications through the mail. 

This practice has been criticized since Adderall poses a high risk of abuse and addiction. 

Manufacturing Limits Due To Controlled Substance Status

Due to the risks of abuse, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance. That means the DEA limits the amount of Adderall that each pharmaceutical company can make. These limits have also contributed to the shortage.

What The Adderall Shortage Means For People With ADHD

During the shortage of Adderall, some people have started buying the drug on social media. This strategy is extremely dangerous. 

That’s because many drug dealers sell fake Adderall pills that actually contain much stronger drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. Ingesting even one of these fake pills can be deadly. To stay safe, only use Adderall as prescribed.

Alternative Treatments

If you are struggling to get Adderall, talk to your prescribing healthcare provider. They can offer alternative forms of treatment until the shortage ends. For example, they may ask you to try a different ADHD drug or a different formulation or dosage of Adderall that’s still available. 

Adderall Rebound & Withdrawal Symptoms

When changing or stopping your Adderall dosage, your ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms may return or rebound. For instance, you may experience fatigue, poor concentration, or forgetfulness. 

You may also experience withdrawal symptoms. That’s because Adderall poses a high risk of physical dependence. When you’re physically dependent on Adderall, your body becomes unable to function normally without it. 

If you stop using it or lower your dosage, you may face withdrawal symptoms such as:

• irritability
• depression
• stomach aches
• nausea and vomiting
• trouble sleeping

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you manage the symptoms with medications, exercise, or other coping strategies. They can also help you determine whether your physical dependence is a sign of Adderall addiction. 

To learn about our Adderall addiction treatment options, please reach out to an Ark Behavioral Health specialist.