Are there alternatives to Adderall? Ask your doctor about these medications

Since October a nationwide Adderall shortage has impacted the United States. Nearly five months later manufacturers and pharmacies continue struggling to keep the drug in stock.

What caused the Adderall shortage?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a shortage of amphetamine mixed salts Oct. 12 and said manufacturing company Teva, a leading global drugmaker, was experiencing ongoing manufacturing delays.

Amphetamine mixed salts, commonly known by the trade name Adderall, continues to be produced by other manufacturers, but the FDA reports insufficient supply to meet U.S. market demand.

Joy Alonzo, a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University school of pharmacy, said one reason why the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, medication may be difficult to get is because of an increase in adult diagnoses.

“It’s not like the drug manufacturers aren’t producing the same amount of medication, they are,” Alonzo said. “I think there’s more people getting a diagnosis and seeking these medications and the supply chain hasn’t quite caught up with that.”

Public health data tends to lag by a year or two, Alonzo said but the current theory is that isolation from normal work environments during the pandemic caused more people to seek ADHD diagnoses.

ADHD medicine is not a cure for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, she said, but it works as an aide similar to how glasses work for those with blurred vision.

What happens if my pharmacy is out of Adderall?

While drug manufacturers work to meet demand, some pharmacies may not be able to fill ADHD prescriptions.

Alonzo said she experienced this firsthand trying to get her son’s ADHD prescription last year during finals.

When her usual pharmacy was unable to get ADHD medication from its supplier, she had to contact area pharmacies that accepted her insurance to see which had the medicine in stock.

After contacting about 20 pharmacies, Alonzo said she was able to find one with the medication in stock and contacted her physician to send her son’s information to the new pharmacy.

What other medications can I take for ADHD?

Two common trade brands for ADHD medication, Adderall and Concerta are made from different drug formulas. Adderall is made from amphetamine mixed salts and Concerta is made from methylphenidate.

There are other trade name medications like Strattera, made from atomoxetine, and Qelbree, made from viloxazine, that are not controlled substances and work differently than Adderall and Concerta but could work depending on the patient, Alonzo said.

Those diagnosed with ADHD should contact their physician to see if a different, more available formula could work for them.

Alonzo said she highly discourages patients from ordering ADHD medicine from outside of the United States due to contamination risks.