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The United States is experiencing a nationwide amphetamine shortage. In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration announced a national shortage of amphetamines due to an ongoing intermittent manufacturing delay at the country’s largest Adderall supplier. Other manufactures are producing amphetamines, but there is not a sufficient supply to meet the current demands.
You and your patients may have questions about the nationwide amphetamine shortage. Listed below are a few approaches to assist you and your patients in mitigating the impact of this shortage:
1. Search the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) shortages list for alternative options. The list is updated regularly and will tell you when medications are estimated to be in stock. ASHP recommends different manufactures, doses, and formulations:
2. If you need to convert to another psychostimulant, use this conversion calculator: http://www.adhdmedcalc.com/
3. If you want your patient to stay on their current medication, consider alternative dosing (e.g., 2 x 25mg tablets instead of 1 x 50mg tablet), lowering the dose or the possibility of your patient not taking the medication on the weekends.
4. During this time of shortage, your patients may need to visit more than one pharmacy in their community to fill their prescription. If you or your patient call a pharmacy and ask if they have a certain medication, for safety reasons, they may say no. Encourage your patients and their families to bring a written prescription to the pharmacy in-person.
5. Recommend that patients talk to their pharmacy about when is the best time for them to request a refill of their prescription that will not alert insurance companies and will ensure they receive their prescription in a timely manner.
As always, BHIPP is here to support you in addressing these concerns, the warmline remains open from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday at 855-MD-BHIPP (632-4477).
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