ADHD Medication Shortage List 2026: Drug-by-Drug Status

• As of October 18, 2026, the FDA considers five ADHD medications to be in shortage. They are generic Adderall IR, lisdexamfetamine capsules and chewables (Vyvanse), methylphenidate ER tablets (Concerta) and the methylphenidate patch.
• Each shortage applies to specific makers and strengths. Every Adderall IR strength is available from at least one of 11 makers. Brand Vyvanse and Concerta are available in all strengths.
• ASHP’s October 4, 2026 list adds Adderall XR, Focalin XR and Ritalin-type generics. Strattera, Qelbree, guanfacine ER and clonidine ER are not currently experiencing shortages.

The FDA first posted generic Adderall to its drug shortage database in October 2022. ASHP, the national society of health-system pharmacists, keeps a second list. Each shortage applies to particular makers and strengths, so one pharmacy can be out of your dose while another has it. Klarity Health is a marketplace of independent licensed providers who send prescriptions to the pharmacy you choose. Filling the prescription depends on each pharmacy having your dose in stock.

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Which ADHD medications are in shortage right now?

Five forms of ADHD medication are in shortage right now on the FDA list. ASHP has eight current ADHD bulletins, and some cover the same drugs. FDA status is as of October 18, 2026.¹ ASHP status is from its list as of October 4, 2026.² Strength notes that start with a date come from the newest ASHP bulletin text available.

Differences between the FDA and ASHP lists

Six ADHD medications appear only on ASHP’s shortage list. They are Adderall XR generics, Focalin XR generics, dextroamphetamine ER capsules and patches, methylphenidate IR tablets and methylphenidate ER capsules.

The FDA still shows lisdexamfetamine chewables and the methylphenidate patch as “Currently in Shortage” while marking every strength available. ASHP has no chewable lisdexamphetamines and moved the patch to its resolved list on January 14, 2026.

The FDA list shows each manufacturer’s stated reason. ASHP bulletins are written by the University of Utah Drug Information Service and also states what each company reports regarding the shortages.

Why ADHD medications are still experiencing shortages in 2026

The most common cause in the FDA entries is a shortage of an active ingredient. DEA quotas also cap how much of each stimulant can be made.

Manufacturer problems

Aurobindo, Epic, Granules and Oryza cite a shortage of active ingredient for Adderall IR. Elite, Hikma, Rhodes and Solco cite the same active ingredient shortage for lisdexamfetamine. SpecGx and Trigen cite rising demand. Sun Pharma has stopped making methylphenidate ER tablets.¹ The DEA says shortages can also come from quality problems, supply chain disruptions and discontinuations outside its control.³

DEA production quotas in 2025 and 2026

An aggregate production quota is the national yearly limit, in grams, on how much of a Schedule II substance can be made. The DEA must decide a manufacturer’s request for more quota within 30 days when the drug is on the FDA shortage list. If there is a need to address the shortage, it must raise the quota to the requested level.⁴

• September 19, 2025: the lisdexamfetamine quota rose about 22%, to 39,907,536 g.⁵
• October 2, 2025: d-amphetamine for sale rose about 25% and methylphenidate for sale about 9%. Manufacturers on the FDA list had cited active ingredient shortages.⁴
• January 5, 2026: the 2026 quotas set lisdexamfetamine at 51,290,743 g, about 28.5% above the adjusted 2025 level. They held d-amphetamine and methylphenidate for sale at their raised 2025 levels.³

As of October 18, 2026, no 2026 stimulant quota change or 2027 proposal has been published.

Demand

The DEA found that domestic medical use of amphetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine rose an average 6.74% in 2024 over 2023. It projected lisdexamfetamine use rising 8.94% in 2026.⁶

How to find a pharmacy that has your medication

A CDC survey from late 2023 looked at adults with ADHD who took a stimulant in the past year. Of them, 71.5% had trouble filling a prescription because it was unavailable.⁷ In 2026, people filling generic lisdexamfetamine still report calling several pharmacies to find one strength, and sometimes paying more out of network. Steps you can take:

1. Call ahead with the drug, form and strength. The FDA database shows each manufacturer’s availability by strength, which a pharmacist can match against wholesaler stock.
2. Ask about a partial fill. A pharmacist short of the full quantity can fill part of it. The rest must follow within 72 hours, or you need a new prescription. Where state law allows, you or your prescriber can request a partial fill. The rest can then be filled up to 30 days after the prescription date.⁸
3. Ask your prescriber for a new prescription sent to a pharmacy that has confirmed stock.

Questions for your prescriber about alternatives

The CDC’s 2024 health advisory asks clinicians to warn patients about possible trouble filling stimulants. It also asks them to offer other FDA-approved ADHD treatments when one is unavailable.⁹ Questions to bring:

• Would a different strength work? As of October 18, 2026, every Adderall IR strength has at least one maker with supply.
• Is another form available? ASHP’s 2026 bulletins list Adzenys XR-ODT, Cotempla XR-ODT, Quillichew ER, Quillivant XR and Jornay PM as available.
• Is the brand an option, and what would my plan charge? Brand Vyvanse and Concerta are available in every strength as of October 18, 2026.
• Which generic am I getting? ASHP notes Lannett and Mallinckrodt methylphenidate ER tablets are rated BX in FDA’s Orange Book. A BX rating means FDA lacks data to rate them equivalent to Concerta.
• Would a non-stimulant fit? Atomoxetine and viloxazine are selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. MedlinePlus describes guanfacine ER and clonidine for ADHD in children. None is on either list.

MedlinePlus says not to stop amphetamine or lisdexamfetamine without talking to your doctor. Don’t skip doses to stretch a supply without talking to your doctor either. If you feel much worse or are thinking about suicide, call or text 988; for a medical emergency, call 911. Our guides to non-stimulant ADHD medications and Adderall alternatives cover each option.

This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.

Can a telehealth service like Klarity help during a shortage?

A telehealth service like Klarity can help during a shortage because its providers send your prescription to a pharmacy you choose. You can pick one you have confirmed has stock. Klarity connects you with more than 2,000 licensed providers in all 50 states. Klarity itself does not prescribe or ship medication. Schedule II prescriptions need renewing monthly.

Klarity providers may prescribe Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta or Focalin, or the non-stimulants Strattera and Qelbree. They prescribe medication after an evaluation, which can take two or more visits. Not every provider prescribes controlled substances, so check the provider’s profile before you book. Text visits cannot be used for controlled substances, and some states require an in-person visit first. Our Klarity review and guide to getting prescribed Adderall walk through the steps.

Klarity advertises self-pay visits from $51 as of October 2026. The same page’s comparison table says $85. On October 12, 2026, the booking flow showed starting prices of $100 to $250 by state. Prices vary by provider. Klarity lists 400+ insurance plans and takes HSA and FSA. Medication is paid for separately.

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Federal telehealth rules as of October 2026

The DEA’s fourth temporary extension runs through December 31, 2026. It lets practitioners prescribe Schedule II to V medication over audio-video visits without an in-person exam. State and federal law must otherwise be met.¹⁰ The Ryan Haight Act’s default is an in-person evaluation first. No permanent rule or further extension has been published as of October 18, 2026.

If you have insurance

Talkiatry is in-network with most major insurers, including Medicare but not Medicaid. Talkiatry says most patients pay $30. Its psychiatrists can prescribe Adderall after an evaluation and can send a prescription to another pharmacy during a shortage.

Avoid counterfeit pills and unlicensed online pharmacies

The CDC warns that counterfeit pills raise overdose risk for people who cannot fill a stimulant and turn to unregulated sources. Those pills may contain fentanyl.⁹ In 2012, preliminary FDA lab tests found fake 30 mg “Adderall” sold online contained only tramadol and acetaminophen.¹¹ The FDA’s BeSafeRx tool checks an online pharmacy’s license; if the pharmacy is not listed, do not use it.

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