Adderall Backorder (Page 92)

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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tim (# 1819) --

FYI, because of my brevity an incorrect assumption was made regarding my post, which was NOT intended to opine or comment on a person's appropriate dosage. I can see how it *seemed* that way because I did NOT include the earlier thread information, which was specifically about the online FDA dosage guidelines; and how, UNFORTUNATELY for all of us, the DEA is using THESE guidelines when they decide annual production limits. So... To be clear.... *I don't have any opinion, nor is it my business, about any dosages decided between a patient and a doctor.* Not my business or concern.

Now, what I SHOULD have said (my bad) is that *according to the arbitrary FDA guidelines and the moronic decisions or the DEA (not according to me), anyone taking over 40mg for ADHD or 70mg for narcolepsy is "over medicated.". YES, I am 100% in agreement that it's between a doctor and the patient.... and the FDA and especially the DEA should NOT be meddling in private medical decisions for Americans. So, again, my poorly stated point was that the DEA would consider it over medicated.... and the DEA establishes the annual distribution limits nationwide. By their incorrect calculations, there is enough being distributed to pharmacies. But they are basing it on 40mg max. Hopefully this clears this up. Earlier in the thread we were discussing FEDERAL dosage limits and how that is adding to the shortage. I absolutely have zero interest in other people's treatment plans.

Can we all communicate without automatically assuming the worst in someone? Yes, my message was brief and ambiguous; no I wasn't getting into anyone's business; yes I was attempting to point out how the DEA sees dosages. Peace out. May everyone including myself see an end to this Federal mismanagement of medication distribution. It's been horrible for all of us. Sending good vibes everywhere....

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Re: Ryelee (# 1816)

Let me know how it goes for your refil. I hope you are able to get your medicine! I know for me, it is so damn nerve wracking the few days leading up to my next prescription. Once I get something filled I can relax but the same thing happens every month. My next due date is march 17. So on the 16 I have to call around and try to find a pharmacy that has anything and once that happens I then have to call my doctor and ask her to put in my refil before leaving for that Thursday because she’s not in on Friday due to saint Patricks day, so if I don’t time this right or if I don’t find anything before Thursday early afternoon I’ll be screwed until at least Monday. I know other people are so much worse off and I am a grateful for having something and yes I am trying to save some to get my through just in case but my symptoms are so severe that if I don’t take my dose I literally can’t get out of bed and I’m so depressed and angry. Once this gets back to normal flow if it does (I hear in may?) I’m going to stock pile as much as I possibly can for when this happens again. Best of luck filling tomorrow please keep me posted!

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Re: Kayla (# 1771)

I feel for you to have suffered like this, and it is a crying shame that this society and doctors in general are so unempathetic.

No one lives in another person's body, and they should not have the right to judge if someone is "really" suffering/in pain/despair, etc.

Managed health care, big corporate takeovers of hospitals/practices, Big Pharma's shenanigans, AI/algorithm-driven merging of medicine with Big Tech, the drug war/alphabet agencies overriding patients' bodily autonomy and quality of life, and many other factors have created a Dante's inferno scenario for anyone who ever needs to seek any type of health care.

I listened to my elderly relatives (before they passed) talk about their caring doctor who did house calls and cared about their patient's welfare. What a far cry from today!

Can you name another industry where the professionals not only still get paid if they not only treat their customers with disrespect while not fixing the problem they are supposed to fix, but also get paid more when the customer comes back with the same problem, or worse? Or unilaterally tells the customer that their individual experiences re: the issue are irrelevant because the algorithm knows best, or that the customer is lying about their problem? Or that the solution to the problem is now "unavailable" just because, and it's not his responsibility, tough luck!

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Has anyone tried Dextroamphetamine Sulfate ER as a temporary alternative to Adderall?

It's manufactured by Actavis for TEVA as Dexedrine Spansule generic.

I recently discovered from my CVS pharmacist contact who keeps me apprised of all supply status issues with their supplier (Cardinal) -- she said that the demand for Dextroamphetamine ER is coincidentally low so she filled it immediately despite Adderall being non existent... Just a heads up.

I'm not an ER or XR person, I prefer IR. I'm gonna give it a try and see...

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Re: Rcma (# 1824)

I was under the impression that most insurance doesn't or won't cover it. Still good to know though, I'm def going to check my pbm. Thank you! Do you happen to know what the brand version is called, or does it have one?

The only thing I've been able to get so far has been Vyvanse, but I can't afford a $200 copay just bc its the only other thing I've been able to find. Last month my doc said patients have reported issues finding Concerta locally as well. Thinking of focalin next but at this point I'm afraid of everything being out of stock. It's never been this bad for this long. :(

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Has anyone kept trying an independent pharmacy after they said they weren't taking new Adderall customers? It seems that they just don't want to be bothered with filling Adderall. My doctor won't transfer scripts to more than one store. So if that one doesn't have any, it's back on the merry go round of phone calls. My local Walgreens hasn't had Adderall ir since last November. Pharmacist told me they have received none. I took Mydayis 25 am and Mydayis 12.5 in early afternoon but I had covid and really couldn't tell if they helped. This past month I had my doctor increase to 37.5mg and 12.5mg. but no one has the 37.5 mg. Been waiting a week. So back to the 25, 12.5. My Walgreens doesn't answer the phone but I called 2 other Walgreen stores and they answered right away. Still no Adderall. My doctor doesn't prescribe Dexedrine, so I am running out of options. Tried Focalin. My congressperson couldn't care less. Senators and representative are conservative republicans and I am sure they stand with the DEA. I thought they shut down the online prescribing of stimulants last year.

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Re: Cyr (# 1826)

I haven't tried any independents more than once after they turned me down so no, unfortunately I can't offer any advice on that.

Have you tried asking your doc for paper scripts? I think my doctor prefers it at this point. Everytime I call bc of pharmacy problems she just goes ahead and prints it, they don't even bother trying to call or resend to multiple places. I think they're getting swamped with the shortage patients at this point so its just easier.

The feds didn't stop the telehealth prescribing but the Dea is expected to change it in May. The pharmacy chains were the ones who took action and instituted company wide-policy that they weren't going to fill Adhd scripts from doctors employed with telehealth companies anymore. So the companies said they weren't going to take any "new" adhd patients, but they were continuing to treat their current customers. Now that Truepill (Cerebral's main mail pharmacy) is also in trouble, I'm not sure what they're currently doing. But that was the last I read about it back in December.

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Re: Bp01 (# 1825)

Dexedrine Spansules is the Brand. Express Scripts covered me.

dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9e92ccc3-d81c-461d-a19f-7e9b582be357

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Re: Bp01 (# 1827)

McKesson is one of the biggest distributor wholesalers in the USA. They have their own "independent" pharmacies so if McKesson has Adderall their own pharmacies should be able to get it on the shelf:

join.healthmart.com

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New York Times:

Opioid Settlement Hinders Patients’ Access to a Wide Array of Drugs
An agreement between attorneys general and major drug distributors increased scrutiny on medications for A.D.H.D., addiction, anxiety and pain.

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Re: Rcma (# 1830)

I saw that on reddit yesterday. Someone gifted the article through a share link. Haven't read it yet but saved it. Based on the comments it appears our initial suspicion about the opioid settlements may have been correct all along?

I think I need a couple days before I can read it. I'm already stressed and upset that things are getting worse and not better this far into the shortages. I'm anticipating a hefty copay for this month's refills and it's wearing me down trying to figure out what to do...

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I emailed the APA asking for guidance.

https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide/who-to-contact

I also shared my story with the NAMI here:

https:/­/­nami.quorum.us/­campaign/­40619/­

I would encourage others to consider doing so. I have so much stressful energy at this point, I have to put it somewhere. So I plan to write till my fingers fall off.

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Re: bp01 (# 1831)

ALL this definitely has the potential to make one feel gaslighted, caught in a corn maze with dead ends and no clear way out!

I've suggested that people Google L-Tyrosine supplementation as a way to ease the titration/shortage/ cold Turkey side effects ...or lowering your dosage to extend your script, with L-Tyrosine supplementation.

Also potentially helpful for CERTAIN people.... knowledgeable MDs might advise you about trying Strattera or Wellbutrin to maintain the norepinephrine and dopamine actions of Adderall and amphetamine, in general (ie, if you can't get your Adderall, you're living with a brain that has become accustomed to higher dopamine/norepinephrine levels than when off your meds (very layman description of a complex concept -- only your doctor can comment on therapeutic value or strattera or Wellbutrin 4 u)

Even if, hypothetically, 40% less patients are getting their Adderall, that still means that 60% Rx's being filled. If you're putting a lot of that stress energy into this issue, focusing on how to be one of the fortunate 60% could pay off, so to speak.

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Legitimate inquiry - if 10mg Extended Release caps are available, will dissolving the coated "beads" in water cancel the delayed onset and extended release action... converting the medication to an IR? My understanding is that ONLY the coating delays the onset/extends the delivery. I just want my familiar 30 min onset, 4 hrs action. Not long acting. But only XR and ER is available.

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Excellent article in The Guardian discusses the entire picture, the efficacy of meds for ADHD and problem of recreational use. DEA's lack of action and role in creating a national catastrophe for ppl who legitimately need medication to function. Even DEA blowing off Confessional inquiry.

The worst it’s ever been: mysterious US Adderall shortage puts ADHD patients at risk

In recent months, patients have reported problems filling nearly every type of ADHD medication prescription – and no one seems to know why

Wilfred Chan
Mon 30 Jan 2023 01.00 EST

"Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which controls the supply of the drugs, announced last month that it would not increase manufacturing quotas for 2023, despite the shortage – again, without providing a reason. One congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger, wrote to the DEA and FDA to demand an explanation last December, but Spanberger’s staff told the Guardian she had yet to receive a response...

...Studies show stimulants offer dramatic benefits to ADHD patients, improving their performance at school and at work, and reducing their risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. A 2017 analysis of millions of patient records even found that adults with ADHD taking stimulant medications were far less likely to get into a car crash."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/29/adderall-shortage-us-adhd-ritalin-drugs

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Re: bp01 (# 1832)

The truth is nobody is going to advocate for you, (us), so we have to advocate for ourselves. It’s 2023 and we live in the United States this ongoing problem of medication being on backorder for extended periods of time, not just adderall either, should not be happening in this day and age. After 6 months it should have been resolved, NOT GETTING WORSE!

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Re: Rcma (# 1833)

I have been able to get my adderall by cutting my dose in half and taking a lower dose if that's all they have, I also call around to see who has it then quick let my Doctor know where they can call it in. I agree though that this is totally unacceptable to be out of such a simple medication in our great USA, it is pathetic and causing alot of people problems.

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This out today, a Slate interview/podcast/transcript featuring the Bloomberg journalist who began the coverage last summer. Not "medically relevant" but a complete account of the complexity of the issue(s), the misinformation, the impact on patients, workplace, public safety. MANY tentacles...

Why Is Adderall So Hard to Find?

slate.com/podcasts/what-next/2023/03/adhd-medications-are-running-low

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Re: Rcma (# 1838)

I also listened to that today on Spotify. Much of the same info, but still glad it's getting more attention. Did you see the homeland sec report released today abt ongoing drug shortages?

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So on Thursday the 16th I called my local Walgreens that I filled at last month to see if they had any adderall and I was told that they didn’t have any 30mg but they had 20mg ir in stock and to have my doctor send in my prescription. Two hours later I called back to let them know that my doctor had sent my prescription in and I wanted to get my refil started, I was then told that they didn’t have any in stock and that I was misinformed. On Friday the 17th I then called cvs and was told that they were told that they would not have any in stock until April sometime, Publix was still on back order and then I called a different Walgreens and they said they had 20mg in stock. I then had to call my doctors office and have her cancel my prescription at the first Walgreens and send a new one to the one that had it. The stress of having to call around until one of them say that they have any at all in stock and then rush to call your doctor to get them to send it in is so frustrating and causes so much anxiety. I was able to get my 20mg irs but I still have not been able to find any 30mg irs (my original dose). So for the past three months I’ve had to take a dose that is a lot less than the dose I am supposed to be on but I’m grateful to get anything at all. I also found it frustrating that Walgreens told me one time that they can see in their system which stores say they have them in stock but that usually the system doesn’t update too often so they don’t like to say what it says to customers and on another call I was told that they can’t see any information about other stores. Like I get it they don’t want to say that a store somewhere else says they have it and then they don’t and the customer gets mad at them but that could help lead someone to a store that has it. If anyone is told from Walgreens or cvs that they don’t have any and no stores around have any as frustrating as it is please call around to as many stores as you can because clearly they are lying to callers. I wanted to just say “screw it” and just go without until they got it in stock because I felt so tired without my meds but I just wanted to keep calling around a few more times and I was lucky enough to find a Walgreens that had what I needed (for the new dose until the 30mg come back). Have faith and keep calling around! Hopefully this gets better soon.

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