News from the FDA/CDC

FDA confirms nationwide Adderall shortage


 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed a nationwide shortage of the immediate release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts (Adderall, Adderall IR), which are approved for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.

The FDA announcement follows weeks of reports of a shortage of the drug by pharmacy chains and Adderall users.

The agency said it is in “frequent” contact with all manufacturers of Adderall – and reported that one of those companies, Teva, is experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays.

Other manufacturers continue to produce amphetamine mixed salts, but there is not enough supply to continue to meet U.S. market demand through those producers, the FDA noted.

“Until supply is restored, there are alternative therapies, including the extended-release version of amphetamine mixed salts, available to health care professionals and their patients for amphetamine mixed salts’ approved indications,” the agency said.

Patients should work with their health care provider to determine their best treatment option, it added.

The organization is continuing to monitor the supply of Adderall and to help manufacturers resolve the shortage.

Its Drug Shortage webpage has additional information about the situation and is updated regularly.

“We continue to use all the tools we have available to help keep supply available for patients and will provide public updates regarding the Adderall shortage,” the FDA said.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

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