On October 12, 2022, the FDA reported an official shortage of the immediate-release (IR) version of amphetamine mixed salts, more commonly known as Adderall. However, many ADHDers noticed challenges in obtaining their prescriptions as early as April 2022.
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What is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant medication containing two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and comes in extended-release (XR, ER) and immediate-release (IR). These stimulants affect the parts of the central nervous system (CNS) that are believed to contribute to symptoms of ADHD. Adderall is also a schedule II controlled substance.
What is Adderall used for?
Adderall is most commonly used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. For many patients, Adderall improves attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity.
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What caused the shortage last year?
It's still unclear what caused the Adderall shortage, but several sources speculate the following reasons:
- Increased demand for medication due to more ADHD diagnoses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic
- General increased demand (unrelated to the pandemic)
- Supply chain disruptions
- Manufacturing delays
- Labor shortages
- Ingredient shortages
- Stricter regulations and quotas enforced by the DEA
Teva Pharmaceuticals: Adderall (name brand)
Teva Pharmaceuticals manufactures the "name brand version" dosages of Adderall IR. However, in addition to other pharmaceutical companies, Teva also distributes generic versions. The name brand version of Adderall is currently available in all dosages. (Updated by the FDA on January 9, 2023)
Available (name brand) Adderall dosages as of January 2023:
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
- 20 mg
- 30 mg
Updated information: shortages, backorders, and allocations of generic Adderall IR dosages
As of January 2023, there are only shortages of the generic versions of Adderall. Their specific status is dependent on the dosage and labeler.
💡 Note on the word "allocation": A product on allocation is only given out in limited amounts until there's enough in stock to meet its demand.
Generic Adderall medication names:
- Dextroamphetamine Saccharate
- Amphetamine Aspartate
- Dextroamphetamine Sulfate
- Amphetamine Sulfate
Additionally, some generic medication bottles are labeled as D-amphetamine/amphetamine salts.
Labelers or pharmaceutical companies currently experiencing shortages, backorders, or allocations:
- Actavis Pharma, Inc. (Teva Pharmaceuticals)
- Epic Pharma LLC
- Mallinckrodt, Inc.
- Rhodes Pharmaceuticals LP.
- SpecGx LLC (Mallinckrodt, Inc.)
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
When will Adderall IR be back in stock?
While this heavily depends on your location and prescribed dosage, general information can be found on the FDA's drug shortage website.
On allocation
- 5 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
- 12.5 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
- 15 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
On backorder
- 5 mg - Epic Pharma, LLC
- 10 mg - Epic Pharma, LLC
- 15 mg - Epic Pharma, LLC
- 20 mg - Epic Pharma, LLC
- 30 mg - Epic Pharma, LLC
Shortage; restocking date unknown
- 5 mg - Rhodes Pharmaceuticals
- 10 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
- 20 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
- 30 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
Shortage; recovery expected by the end of January 2023
- 7.5 mg - Teva Pharmaceuticals
- 20 mg - SpecGX LLC
- 30 mg - SpecGX LLC
*Please note that all information in this article was retrieved from the FDA. However, this site is not affiliated with the FDA.*
