Adderall Backorder (Page 9)

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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I live in ATL as well and 15mg is the rare one around here. I had one pharmacist essentially tell me that the 15mg strength has been discontinued.

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I live 5 hours, about a 50 minute plane ride from Atlanta, in Charlotte, NC, and my pharmacist called me at my residence, and told he was well stocked up with Adderall generic, by Teva/Barr labs of Sellersville, Pa, in 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg sizes. He is a independant pharmacist, with a thriving business, in his 4th year. He also told me the 12.5 mg were "harder to obtain than the 10mg generics, and, that if there were another shortage,he
suggested I back down to 10mg or up the dose to 20 mg, because of pharmacy laws, at least in this state, allow him to re-arraige the script, with the M.D's permission, as long as the scripts are in even numbers, like 10mg, 20mg, or 30 mg. (thus a rewrite of take half a dose, etc, or he could fill a partial dose, and owe me a credit, if this Adderall crisis erupts again.
Frankly, my M.D, a psychiatrists, is quite ill natured, with this whole thing, for Hippocrates Oath and confideniality reasons, he will only tell me that, one or two of his patients, he felt like were snorting the Adderall with a straw, and, that, he also had a traditional college age patient, last summer, "lose prescriptons around exam time, and he was suspicious, that, a few rotton apples, were abusing the drug, and passing it around to all of ones fraternity brothers or (she) to their sorority sisters. I have been with him 13 yrs, and have never seen him so aggitated. He also told me, "he felt like, the DEA and FDA were trying to put Teva/Barr and all other Instant release, (more abuseable) amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, I guess, even the rare, Desoxyn, 5 mg methamphetamine tabs, out of business. I am 62 yrs old, and and my M.D is 64, and we both well remember, the late 1960's craze, when "diet pills, had 50% of young housewives, as well, as traditional college students, from around 1967 to 1972, popping Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Biphetamine "black beauties", Preludin, Dexamyl, Desbutal, Desoxyn, eating them like M&M's, either to lose weight, which was short term, as we all know, and, most patients, kept coming back, "then" to the family M.D's just to get the "lift" from the energy supply, or college students, got them to cram for exams, as it allowed them to stay up all night, and "cram" for exams. The DEA demonized most of these drugs by January of 1972, by blocking refills on them, and placing most in a C-II category, and in 1973, (July) banning the combination of the stimulants with the barbituates, and/or with methaqualone, such as Biphetamine T (red and black capsules) or the recreational drug users dream drug, "Desbutal" by Abbott labs, which was 15 mg of methamphetamine tabs with about 97 mg. of fast acting Pentobarbital, (Abbott's former Nembutal), with SKF, gettting a extention on their combination Green and White pellet Spansule, 10 and 15 mg "Dexamyl" and 5 mg all green fast acting Dexamyl..remarkedly until the end of calender year 1982. The ADD studies, for adults with Dr. Russell Barkely in 1990, did not, appear until late 1990, and that was when Ritalin (methyphenidate) was un-demonized, and by 1993, Richwood Pharmacy, bought out the license for Obetrol, mixed amphetamine salts, and changed the name to "Adderall" in 1993, and the top selling books, Driven to Distraction by Ft. Holloween and Dr. Ratey, saw the stimulant market increase a 4 fold increase, as adults, were now, scientifically proven, by PET
scans, to "not outgrow the mental disorder by puberty, but could last a lifetime".
IMHO, I fear, that the same potential problem, may be arising, again, but in a smaller scale, than the late 1960's, as , now, C-II stimulants, are in the domain of select Psychiatrists, and not, normally written like candy, by any PCP, or general practioner, for ADHD. or Narcolepsy, and, also, of course, all of the "good stimulants" are C-II's in all 50 states, restricting the use, much more than the refills available prior to 1971.
I sense a tad of fear with my M.D, as, I have the sense the DEA, has paid him a visit, by the nosey pharmacy police last year. He is clamping down on the amphetamine scripts a little bit, just like he did a few years ago, with "a run of Xanax addicts playing games with him" and his former associate, 5 to 10 yrs ago.
I see him Friday, and may request for him to place me back on the Teva/Barr Dexedrine capsules extended release, 15 mg, and maybe a max of two (2) Adderalls. My preference, has always been 100% SKF, or SKB, or Glaxo Smith Kline brand Dexedrine orange hearts, but the "E-19's were taken off of the USA market in the spring of 2009, and GSK, has licensed out for years, their brand name Dexedrine Spansules, to other USA mfg's, and my REDBOOK indicates the price has gone up to nearly $300.00 AWP + 20% markup for only 90 tapered end Spansules, I could get them at CVS, for approximately $90.00 cash for 60 of the 15 mg Spansules as recently as 2006.
Yes, I agree with the consensus of the forum posters, that the whole industry is involved in price gouging. A real shame, after so much progress has been made from legitimate patients diagnosis of ADHD and Narcolepsy, with the help, of Chadd, and add.org, and the national conventions, and the many books published in the past 15 yrs on this disorder.
The pain management folks were hassled 3 to 4 yrs ago, and now the ADD patients, who will be the next target of patients, by the overzealous DEA and FDA?????????

Sorry for the wall of text and the bantering, but, I needed to vent, as the Charlotte NC ADD support group folded some years ago. I was a very active participant at one time.
Question.....does anyone know if, is there a current mfg, that produces, a generic version of the old Shire US brand, of Dextrostrat? (pure tablet dextroamphetamine sulfate in 5 or 10 mg sizes)??????? (instant release)???

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I completely understand and have experienced similar situations. One exception, however. How nice of your pharmicist to call you. I live near Richmond, Virginia and experience no such personal treatment. Most (I have had to shop around) have become so impersonal with the situation, if not downright rude. My doctor, who volunteered to take over the prescribing when my psychiatrist retired, has partnered with the State Police Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and now the staff is better trained to look for drug abusers than to treat patients with add. Life really changes. Years ago, when discovering my kids had add, I discovered I did, too. It changed my life to finally get such improvement in my functioning. Now, I'm a grandmother who gets treated like a criminal. I had to sign an agreement to use only one doctor, one pharmacy (with a few exceptions which must be reported), and submit to urinalysis upon request. (By the way, my insurance helps "not much" with this) When forcing the issue of seeing the law that demands this, as they perport, it eventually came out that most of this is guided by their legal department, rather than a concern for the well being of their patients. After weeks of harrassment by myself, demanding to see the law (yes, they had my wool up) all they were able to come up with is reference to the law, and copies of news articles where doctors have lost licenses. They never were able to produce the law. While I still welcome someone to show me the law, I have concluded it must be like the wizard of oz, and the only proof of it's existence is the fear that it is imposing. I now dread going to the doctor's office. I've fallen behind on health screenings and am so thankful that I am healthy, so far. Who knows, maybe this adds to their distrust of me? Maybe if I visited them more often, they would be nicer. The shortage of dexedrine has only added to the fun. I have had to try Ritalin, which didn't work out well, as my initial treatment, years back. Well surprise, it works better than the generic dexedrine I have used since the brand was discontinued. Of course, with the dexedrine and adderall shortages, I must not be the only one being prescribed Ritalin as alternative. When I finally agreed to use it, my pharmacy was back ordered on that, as well. I had to travel elsewhere to fill the rx. I hope the next trip works better. Maybe after reading this you won't feel as bad about venting online. I, as well, apologize and thank you for reading this. Good luck to us all as we make our way through this mess.

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I haven't seen this as a reason....but I also take adderall. I've heard that the patent for adderall xr was running out, and the drug company intentionally stopped making enough of the adderall of all dosages, so more of us would start getting vyvanse (which they still have a patent for). It's all about money. I don't drive. Now I spend more time looking for a pharmacy that has my meds. My doc (who used to be 6 blocks from my house), is now 2 miles away and suddenly wants me there every 3 months (I used to only go about once a year)....along with my 17 year old who also takes it. They know we need it to perform on a daily basis, and I again think it's all about the money.

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Maria... I am in NY as well (don't know if you're still reading this or not...) Manhattan to be precise. I got my new prescription because as you know in NYC you have to get one every month! yay us... I got the prescription on Wednesday this week (4/11) and when I left the Doc I needed to fill it as I only had 2 20mgs left. I sat for hours calling every Duane Reade, Walgreens, CVS (lets just say every pharmacy from downtown to uptown!) and everyone said they were out. Most of them didn't even bother to check just said they were out instantly and I know the crap is locked up in a vault! Finally I was just like forget it this is craziness... I tried Thursday to no avail once again... Finally today I call one Duane Reade and she says hold on comes back and says she has it... I'm throwing on clothes and shoes and going well out of my way just to get to this particular pharmacy. Yes thankfully I now have my meds since I am a graduate student it's pretty important that I be able to function!

I think my biggest irritation (as with a lot of the posts I've read) is the rude responses and total lack of regard I'm given. The people who answer the phone act like YOU are putting THEM out... How do they think it feels to actually need the medication to be successful and having to repeatedly call them! I ask questions such as "Do I have to call you everyday to find out if you have it?" "Do you know when you may be receiving a shipment so that I know when to try back?" and I swear they act as if I'm a retard... I don't want to call them everyday and ask and I certainly don't want to walk a bazillion blocks a day to try to hunt it down!

This is no better than when I suffered a serious shoulder injury went to the doctor and asked for an MRI and they treated me like a drug addict!!!

Okay my rant is over... I was so frustrated this week as I have 3 papers to write and a ton of research to do and trying to do that unmedicated would be such a gigantic nightmare. Sad thing is of course you can blame the abusers and the fakers who just want to get high or pull all nighters before their finals for this kind of crap. Screw the rest of us who actually need it eh?

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Hello to all my fellow ADD & ADHD ers =)! I am sorry to read about all the places that are still having shortages =(. I live in Wyoming and although I am able to find Adderall, I don't have insurance and the price is OUTRAGEOUS. I started out on 10mg 2X a day and found it only stayed in my system about 3-4 hours and the later I took it the better I slept, I currently take 10mg IR 4X a day (the XR was twice as expensive because they only have name brand, which is why I am on IR) I was wondering if any of you know if it would be less expensive to have my script written for 20mg and split them (only needing to order 60 for a months supply) or if the way it is currently written 10mg X120 for a months supply is around the same price? I figure someone with more experience with Adderall (I have only taken the 10mg thus far) may know. I figure if there is a shortage splitting my own pills (possibly saving some money) would be a really good idea. Thanks in advance =).

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maria, im from nyc too!

i take a 20mg adderall xr and dextroamphetamine sulfate irs for the rest of the day. i haven't actually seen a real problem finding adderall xrs in nyc. ive read all about these shortages, but so far my pharmacy has been good. (knock on wood)

for whomever suggested switching to the dextroamphetamine (generic dexedrine), dont.
from what i've been reading, they will be unavailable for even longer than everything else.
psychcentral.com/news/2012/01/17/an-update-on-adhd-drug-shortages/33771.html

also. i found this online, give it a shot!
adderallshortage.net

good luck!

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what pharmacy in Manhattan was this?? I still cannot find anywhere. I live in queens where i thought i'd find easier. but no!!! I work in financial district and cant find either.

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You obviously have no clue what you're talking about.

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SO effin sick of this CRAP. I JUST WANT MY MEDICATION MOFO's! WTF? ENUF already!

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Yes having a problem over 6 months trying to get prescription filled because of back order. It's crazy. Makes me Not want to support the company that makes it.

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Yes I cant get adderal anywhere.not . not anly that my insurance wont pay for it anymore.I am low income.AW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The great Adderall shortage is a market manipulation by Shire, the company that makes it. The shortage is designed to create a new group of Vyvanse users. Shire spent $2.8 billion to get the patent for it. They didn't do that without a marketing strategy. Of course if you want to pay $500 or so every 30 days I hear name brand Adderall can be found. I take dexadrine myself. But if everyone who is fed up with this situation got a script for Desoxyn, the shortage would be over in a month. The DEA, who makes and controls quotas for amphetamine production, would threaten Shire's supply and they'd fall right in line. At present the DEA is either encouraging or turning a blind eye to the industry. They see a million or so new prescriptions for Desoxyn they'd get off their collective fat asses and move. Why you ask. You've all heard of Desoxyn and it is FDA approved for ADD treatment. It's more commonly known as meth.

The only difference between methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine (which is roughly 77% of Adderall, l-amphetamine makes up the other 23%. ) is that meth hits a faster. It's broken down by fat cells and can pass the blood barrier around the brain rather than be circulated a bunch of times before the brain absorbs it. I'm not really suggesting this as a viable alternative. But I'm getting frustrated to the point of having to do something besides call pharmacies and wait.

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Me too!

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hi rite aid has it in its pharmacy.

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I had that problem last spring I had to drive 2 hrs away to get it 3 months in a row

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It can be written for a 3 month period with the date being each of the 3 months so you can have 3 scripts for 3 months but are only able to use the corresponding Month.You cannot use the 2nd script until it corresponds with the date on it. (5-1-'12, 6-1-'12 and 7-1,'12. Hope this clears that up. Drs. only do this for the patients they trust.

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Yes you can in ny state get up to 3 months and pharmacy will fill it. If you going on a long vacation what are you supose to do without your meds

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I live in NJ and cannot get adderrall generic or name brand, I am told problem with Teva, anyone know why?

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I live in Philadelphia&spent 4hrs roaming the city on the subway trying to track down the 30mg IR. I was finally told that they're on "backorder" &they're not sure when they'll be getting anymore...the guy@Rite Aid did a 10mi radius search of other Rite Aids&they were also out of stock. They said my best bet was to call around other pharmacies&hope I find one.....so I got home, 4hrs later, frustrated&irritated&did a Google&found this site -I read back into the earlier comments from back info 2011 when this happened&found a link to the FDA Reported Shortages website. What I found says that a shortage was reported back in Nov. But should be resolved&they're not anticipating any more issues- HOWEVER- nowhere that I went today in Philly had it.

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