Adderall (generic: amphetamine or dextroamphetamine) is a prescription drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It affects chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. The uses of Adderall include the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy by brain stimulation. This drug can help those with ADHD to control impulses and reign in racing thoughts, and it helps those with narcolepsy to fight falling asleep. According to FDA records used to track drug shortages, Adderall has been scarce for almost two years now, and many are affected by it.
The nationwide shortage of stimulant Adderall started around October 2022 and is still an issue. (NBC News and fda.gov) It prevents those who need the drug from getting it on time or in the amount they need. Adderall has never faced a shortage like this before, and it is caused in part by the massive surge in ADHD diagnoses since 2020. One reason for this surge of diagnoses is due to the recognition of women and girls with ADHD, who have historically been underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) predicts that the medical use of amphetamine, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine in the U.S. will rise by 3.1% in 2024.
The shortage of medication only worsened as the school year started. Many students prescribed Adderall pause the medication during summer when there is no school work to be done. This means that during the school year, a huge percentage of Adderall users previously absent return for their school doses. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) also claims that drug manufacturers responsible for producing Adderall failed to meet their quota by one billion doses in 2022, at the start of the shortage. All these factors combined make Adderall very difficult to receive.
The DEA has announced that this year, the caps on the manufacturing of Adderall and related substances will hopefully be enough to meet the current demand and stop the shortage. The FDA is also trying to help, by posting information about the shortage online as it becomes available. Hopefully, this year will be the end of the shortage, and Adderall users will be able to get their medication without problems.
