COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Adderall shortage is plaguing the nation, causing many patients who rely on the drug to find alternatives, according to the Food and Drug Administration. But with that comes some dangers.
Millions of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder rely on this drug every day, according to data from IQVIA. A family member of consultant pharmacist Ernie Boyd is one of them.
“Without the drug, they lose focus,” said Boyd. “They’re unable to do their job well and could really put their job at risk.”
Right now, the drug is on hold. That’s because TEVA, a manufacturer of this drug, has been experiencing intermittent manufacturing delays. And while others are still producing the drugs, the FDA said there’s still not enough supply.
“I would suggest that parents talk to their provider now about having an alternative prescription to try to keep the child under control,” said Boyd.
Until the issue is resolved, the FDA suggests that patients work with their doctor to figure out the best treatment option or alternative therapy. But Boyd said this is nothing new. He sees this issue every year around November.
“I’ll get calls from pharmacists who can’t get it because of limitations, many times because (the Drug Enforcement Administration) saying the manufacturers made all they can make and you’ll be out until January,” he said.
That’s why he says it’s crucial for patients to plan appointments in advance with their doctors and to never try to take matters into their own hands.
“With this drug it’s especially important to not borrow some from a neighbor, not buy it through a drug dealer, not get it on the side because Adderall right now is being laced with fentanyl in some cases,” he said.
That was unfortunately the case in may for two OSU students who took what they thought to be Adderall. They died from an overdose. Boyd hopes to prevent it from happening to many others.
“We’ve had situations on college campuses where a student will take one tablet of a drug that they think is a stimulant to help them study and they’re dead by morning,” he said. “It’s very, very serious. Do not take shortcuts with this. Only work with the pharmacists, work with your physician.”
For more information about what companies have medication in stock or on back order, click here.
