The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a shortfall of Adderall on October 12, 2022. All producers of amphetamine blended salts are in regular contact with the FDA, and one of them, Teva, is dealing with continuous and sporadic production setbacks. Although there is still a need for the medication in the U.S. market, there is not enough supply for other companies to keep up with production.

Those who depend on medication to help control their Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are trying to find a few, if any, accessible and affordable alternatives as the national shortage persists. According to pharmaceutical specialists, there is now no indication of relief and no simple remedy to the issue.

The majority of ADHD medications belong to a group of substances known as central nervous system enhancers. Due to the drugs’ history of drug dependence, the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) set a limit on the number of prescriptions a pharmacy can administer at one time and how frequently consumers can have their medications renewed. The DEA additionally sets annual caps on the amount of active chemicals that drug manufacturers can employ to create these medications.

The lack of supply has mainly affected Adderall IR. The FDA originally claimed that there was no deficit of Adderall XR. The lack of Adderall IR, unfortunately, has forced medical professionals and consumers to seek alternatives, which has increased strain on the availability of nearly all regularly used drugs, including but not limited to- Adderall XR, Ritalin, Concerta, and Vyvanse. Using some sort of stimulant is preferable to none, even if these prescriptions are frequently not as helpful as Adderall for a given patient. While people wait for the return of their regular medication, individuals will still experience some benefits from the partial treatment of their ADHD symptoms. However, pharmacy backorders on each of these drugs have come and gone, making it challenging for individuals to get their hands on them.

The importance of non-pharmacological remedies for ADHD is equal to that of drug therapy. These involve training coping mechanisms and abilities as well as psychotherapy targeted at treating ADHD symptoms. Exercising has also been demonstrated to lessen the symptoms of ADHD, especially among children. Focusing and attentiveness will be improved by addressing the symptoms of other mental health conditions, which are widespread among ADHD patients. As there seems to be no end in sight for this overwhelming shortage, many physicians recommend these remedies to help their patients as much as possible.