Adderall Backorder (Page 94)

I take generic Adderall 20 mg for narcolepsy and there is not one local pharmacy that has it in stock. I have never had this problem before. The pharmacies are saying that it's on backorder from the manufacturer. Is anyone else having problems getting their scripts filled?

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Re: Rcma (# 1838)

@Rcma Something that the blog missed was that the Adderall shortage started in 2021. (Some say in 2020). But definitely in 2021. Manufacturers are not required to report a shortage and the FDA can't make them. My pharmacist was telling me there was a shortage in 2021 more than half a year before Teva bothered to report anything. And when the FDA declared shortage over the end of summer, still no one could get their meds filled regularly. FDA only looks at optionally reported manufacture shortages. Does not look at the demand side where prescriptions aren't getting filled. And the DEA will not take quota from 1 company like Teva who was failing miserably and give it to another with capacity to produce. DEA also does a crap job in estimating demand. There is a conflict of interest with the DEA regulating the active ingredients in stimulant medications. The easiest way to prevent people from getting the substance they are providing to the industry is to not provide it to the industry.

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Re: Rcma (# 1847)

You make some valid points. However the laws/rules don't always comply in the same manner in regards to the United States Government/Military, especially when it comes to matters of National Security. If they label something as Classified or Top Secret then we wouldn't know anything about it until it's been Declassified in 20-30 years - and legally speaking, even if the media knew something, they couldn't talk about it either under these circumstances.

I knew this theory wouldn't be very popular lol, and it probably isn't that likely either (I hope), however according to the two 20+ year career military guys that I mentioned this to, it's entirely plausible. They hinted that this sounds exactly like something the military could or would do in preparation for a potential major conflict. They also said that if an order like this was in fact ever given then us civilians wouldn't see a single tablet until the Military's order was 100% fulfilled bcuz they are absolute top priority in such things.

And to those who say our Military doesn't do this anymore, well I can say with absolute certainty that they're dead wrong, they still provide stimulates to our soldiers, but only in times of war. Our enemies will for certain be on stimulates, therefore we have no choice but do the same in order to level the battle field.

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Re: Tim (# 1850)

Militarys around the world have been using stimulates during conflict since WW2. Germany started it, and everyone else was forced to follow in order to level the battle field. Nothing has changed since then. Google is your friend btw ??

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Re: Rcma (# 1847)

Just to clarify, I meant that we citizens wouldn't see any amphetamines from the (or those) manufacturers fulfilling the potentially multiple million tablet military order.
When all pharmacy supplies dry up all at once, now suddenly fewer manufacturers have to try and resupply all of them at once - it's like swimming against the current to try and catch up! And all this doesn't even account for delays if any retooling of equipment or changes in packaging is needed.

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Re: Mike (# 1864)

Since this thread is going full-on conspiracy theory, let's throw in that the US DOD is shipping Adderall to Ukraine.

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Re: Mauricio (# 1855)

My doctor is unwilling to prescribe more than 60 30mg IRs a month, but I only proposed increasing from 60 to 90x30mg IR. You think that if I propose the setup that you have ( 60x30mg IR + 30x20mg IR ) that he would be in agreement?

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Re: HCStymie (# 1858)

I was told by a pharmacist @ CVS that prescriptions expire after one month, so even if my doctor were to write and to issue scripts for three months, then only one would be accessible. What do you know about what I was told, was it accurate, did I confuse some detail?

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Re: Bryce (# 1867)

States have different time frames for prescriptions expiring. Put your State name laws governing schedule II prescriptions in Google. Be sure the link ends in .gov. Your state laws should come up.

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Re: Bryce (# 1867)

They write two scripts with future dates on it

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Re: Mike (# 1862)

you sound like someone going through psychosis - hope if ur on this thread you use the medication for its intended purpose

there is literally no merit to any of ur wild theories, stop trying to add more chaos to an already stressful situation

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Re: Bryce (# 1866)

I don’t see why he wouldn’t. I admit some doctors might feel uncomfortable giving that dose out because one doctor did tell me that “that is a really high dose.” Although he was still going to write me my prescription. Out of all the doctors I have seen (I have been on adderall for 13 years now) that one doctor was the only one to ever say anything but was still going to give it to me. I did have to work my way up slowly of course but if you aren’t getting enough to get you through the day and he doesn’t want to help you I would look into seeing another doctor and explain what is happening. As long as you don’t get two scripts for the same thing you will be fine. Also they do have a database that shows them what doctors you see and for what. My last doctor asked me to explain why I was wanting to be seen by her and when I told her she then said “alright after looking into the database everything you said lines up with what I see so I’ll be happy to give you the meds today.” Like I said just because others think it’s too much a day for you doesn’t change the fact that you feel like you aren’t getting enough help to get you through the day. Try suggesting to your doctor what I usually get which is 60 30ir a month and 30 20mg ir a month ago see what they say. As of now I have been on 3 20mg ir a day because of the shortage and there not being any 30mg ir here but my normal dose will be put back in place when they get meds in stock my doctor said. Good luck!

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Re: Bryce (# 1866)

@Bryce: Perhaps it's useful for people on this thread to zoom in on your question (no intention to annoy anyone here, let's break this down in the interest of a "reality check"):

a) the question is asking countless anonymous strangers to weigh in on whether you can "negotiate" with your licensed medical professional in an attempt to increase your monthly dosage of a CII medication by 33%.

b) you didn't include your doctor's reason for denying your original request for a 50% increase.

c) unless specifically stated, we should all assume that people on here aren't trained or licensed mental health or pharmaceutical professionals.

That said, after 13 yrs on this medication, I've learned the following about prescribing doctors' MANY considerations:
a) what other meds is the patient taking?
b) age and weight of patient
c) comorbidities and other health considerations of patient: ie, cardiovascular risk factors, blood pressure, any and all DSM V diagnoses, nutritional deficiencies effecting cognition and energy metabolism such as Vitamin D, alcohol/caffeine consumption, chronic conditions with associated brain fog such as fibromyalgia and ME, inappropriate affect wrt irritability, degrees of avolition and impulsivity and more
d) is the patient having regularly scheduled urine testing? (To Confirm that patient isn't selling a CII)

There are so many MORE considerations that a licensed medical professional needs to make.... Including, is there data driven evidence of the EFFICACY of a 33% increase?! Frankly, patients think that more is better. Scientific data shows that higher dosing can have NEGATIVE results on ADHD symptoms management! It's true! Optimal dose achieved by incremental,5mg increases and when a too high dose is taken patients show MORE ADHD symptoms and fatigue.

90 mg a day may be optimal for a patient... But a SMALL percentage of patients in the USA Will vs given that dosage (usually w/narcolepsy, MS, brain injury or a genetic condition, no cardiovascular risk factors, etc). Iow, 90mg is uncommon And asking for a 50% monthly dosage increase= red flag because there is no data driven evidence that a 50% increase has therapeutic value. Honestly, 9 of 10 doctors would turn that down IMHO. Being sincere here. It's a Big ask!

Adderall works to increase norepinephrine and dopamine. If 60mg isn't doing the job, many ***Psychiatrists *** will look to Wellbutrin or Strattera, which are reuptake inhibitors for dopamine and norepinephrine. Not pushing more of the CII, especially since more Adderall isn't necessarily therapeutically effective or medically safe for most people.

Google it ... The more your g.i. tract is acidic, below 7ph, the LESS bioavailable is amphetamine, meaning you're serum levels are lower, and your urine has all that medication. Higher ph levels result in HIGHER bioavailability, HIGHER plasma amphetamine levels. This isn't a medical suggestion: anyone who takes their Adderall 30 min after Tums, Rolaids, antacids will scientifically get a bigger bang because they won't be peeing away the meds. Taking an additional antacid 30 min after, even more so. Taking 500mg L-Tyrosine with Adderall may also increase the efficacy of the medication. Google it

So ... the answer is not always that MORE Adderall is better and WELL INTENTIONED ethical doctors know more than patients about this. AND, asking almost any MD for a 50% dosage increase of a cII is usually a hard no.

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Drug shortfalls could last throughout the year:

abcnews.go.com/Health/amid-shortage-generic-adderall-frustration-builds-demand-increases/story

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Re: BlessedLady (# 1873)

The last paragraph is public relations spokesperson vague boilerplate from the FDA because several manufacturers are saying outright that the DEA won't allow them to up their production (sandoz). Manufacturers that are "blaming" increased demand for the shortages are also saying "it's the DEA" (in backwards speak, ie if the issue is increased demand then their annual production limits aren't covering the market demand, so again DEA). The FDA can say it's doing everything possible, but without the DEA getting on board, it will continue to be a hot mess.

Keep in mind that these are publicly traded companies on the NYSE which is a potential conflict of interest depending on which stocks are owned by which big wigs. That's not speculation.... there are 1000s of big pharma lobbyists in DC

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Re: Mauricio (# 1871)

I have been on Adderall 20 mg 3 x per day for 8 years. Although the shortage has been bad, what's worse is when you do receive the meds, it's from Alvogen and makes you want to crawl out of your skin. I plan to sue and have already talked to an attorney. Not a guinea pig and tired of feeling like crap because the big pharma's put "God knows what" in their generic drugs!!!!!

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Oh dear, my friends...

Went to try to fill my normal 30mg XR / 30 mg IR combination I've been fortunate to find the last several months in my area, and found that the IR has completely dried up in my area. No pharmacy for miles I drove to had IR of any dose in stock. Moreover, the only XR I found in stock was all brand. Being that I require my medication to function at work, I had my doctor write me 60 30mg XR this month, but it ran me over $400 out of pocket.

I have a pretty good job, but I definitely can't afford this type of hit every month, so I hope the increased attention on this shortage will improve things sooner than later... Good luck out there, my friends.

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There has been a lot of talk in this discussion about the lack of quality with generic drugs. I thought some might find the article below interesting.

https:/­/­www.peoplespharmacy.com/­articles/­how-reliable-are-your-generic-drugs-from-india

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I have been flagged by my pharmacy for calling too much to see if they have my adderall in stock. What does this mean exactly? How serious is it? What can I do? Thank you

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Re: KD (# 1878)

I have never heard of that. So the person that answers the phone takes the time to pull up your profile each time you call and make a comment? How many times before you are flagged ?

It sounds like they are tired of people calling looking for Adderall.

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Re: BlessedLady (# 1877)

Excellent link wrt Quality issues - thank you. This link is excellent because within the Opinion, there are countless embedded links to that show his sources... His sources are major media publications, published authors etc. So there is a treasure of authoritative info. SADLY there remains no strategy, or solution. But the COMPLEXITY of the issue is being exposed as more than TEVA supply shortage scapegoating. There are many more considerations, such as the correcting of decades of inequities around diagnosis and treatment (racial, age and gender biases resulted in countless under diagnosing for decades; the DEA not being the right agency to make public health decisions about pharmaceutical treatment for scientifically validated and complex neurological conditions.

"The cruel irony of America's neglected Adderall shortage

There's no agreed upon cause of the nationwide backlog on most ADHD medications. But policymakers have been slow to act."

https:/­/­www.msnbc.com/­opinion/­msnbc-opinion/­adderall-shortage-2023-adhd-policy-rcna76851

"Did Generic Adderall Shortage Cause Amphetamine Withdrawal?

The FDA lists a generic Adderall shortage. Some people complain about generic Adderall quality and report symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal."

https:/­/­www.peoplespharmacy.com/­articles/­will-adderall-shortage-cause-amphetamine-withdrawal

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