By: Isabella Kicklighter, Nerd Crew Journalist
The shortage that is impacting Americans from all walks of life is that of Adderall in 2023. Adderall is a stimulant indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD and narcolepsy. The Amphetamines in the medicine interact with the central nervous system (CNS) stimulating it in a way that increases motor activity and mental alertness along with a decrease in fatigue. Adderall has been around longer than other stimulants like Vyvance and Concerta, making it the more popular option for many patients in the United States. Over the years the popularity of adderall has grown and it has become one of the most popular prescribed stimulants, creating a large demand for the drug.
Manufacturers are unable to meet the recent demands for the drug especially following the increase of prescriptions for the drug during 2020’s COVID breakout and because of that doctors are having to consider alternatives for their patients, pharmacists are losing business having to turn patients away due to lack of supply and patients are worried about how they will function without their prescription. Many of these patients are worried about how they will be able to function in their daily lives, “I am worried I am not going to be able to feel awake and get through my days without it,” said Georgia Southern University student, Miranda Dunagan. Miranda was prescribed the medication back in 2021 and relies on it daily to focus as well as stay motivated throughout the day. Thousands of other patients prescribed adderall like Dunagan suffer from the same worries about the impact the shortage will have on their ability to function daily.
Patients express these concerns to pharmacists daily while they try to get their prescriptions filled. Pharmacists have lost numerous customers, having to send them to other pharmacies that may have the medication in stock, which then makes them lose money. Medical professionals are having to consult patients daily on the impact of the shortage and those who prescribe the medicine such as doctors and psychiatrists are considering alternatives for their patients. “Patients can likely switch to another stimulant and have success, but there will be some cases where the patient cannot tolerate the new compound,” said Madison Clayton, a North Florida Pharmacist. Clayton added that patients switching to another stimulant could lead to shortage of other stimulants if manufacturers do not keep up with the demand.
One of the leading manufacturers involved in this shortage is Teva, which experienced difficulty hiring workers in the last year. A spokeswoman for Teva told the New York Times that they expect to soon resolve the delays caused by worker shortages. She added that they are now focusing on catching up on manufacturing following the “surge in demand” for the drug. This surge could potentially be explained by numerous causes, one being “an increase in prescribing due to recent increases in access to stimulant-prescribing physicians online, as one might have seen advertised on social media,” said Pharmacist Clayton. There have been no reports proving that online physicians are the cause of the shortage but the reports do point to increase in demand being a major issue. Where that demand stems from is largely speculated.
Although people are still looking for answers as to why this is happening, there are a few things they can do in the meantime to help decrease the chances of experiencing withdrawals when patients are unable to receive the drug in their area. As stated before there are other drug stimulants used for the same diagnosis that could work for some patients. The best course of action is to immediately speak to your doctor and discuss alternative options. Some patients can even discuss spreading out doses with their doctor, to help prolong their current stash of adderall. “Patients can experience some benefit from high caffeinated drinks such as coffee or sodas,” said Pharmacy Technician Terri Bortz. Bortz explained, for those who may experience negative reactions to new prescriptions, they may be able to find non-prescription alternatives to help, home remedies in a way. The most common is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious foods, exercising and staying hydrated. “Don’t panic and try alternative treatments, even if they don’t work completely they can help some,” said Bortz.
Sources:
Miranda Dunagan, Georgia Southern Student, (404)834-9389
Terri Bortz, Pharmacy Technician, (912)409-7603
Madison Clayton, Pharmacist, (904)521-0828
Blum, D. (2022, November 16). Amid the adderall shortage, people with A.D.H.D. face withdrawal and despair. The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/16/well/mind/adderall-shortage-withdrawal-symptoms-adhd.html