Everything you need to know about the national ADHD medication shortage

New clients can access our medication service, however, availability of some ADHD medications continues to fluctuate. As one brand goes out of stock there is a huge increase in demand for another, causing a ripple effect.

Currently several Methylphenidate medications (Concerta, Xenidate, Xaggitin) are out of stock from the 3 largest UK pharmaceutical suppliers.

Their teams have informed us that they will receive supply from the manufacturers at some point, but this is all the information they are able to provide.

If you are on an ADHD medication that goes out of stock, your prescribing team will explain your options to you and ensure you feel supported. We continue to monitor supplies and provide our clients with regular updates.

New clients can access our medication service, however, supplies of certain medications remain unstable so we are unable to start both new and existing clients on certain brands of medication.  

We continue to monitor supplies and provide our clients with regular updates.  

Improved supplies of Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and Atomoxetine (Strattera) - 29/04/24

We have received assurance that stock levels of Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and Atomoxetine (Strattera) are improved, however there is a possibility that this may change in the future.

We continue to monitor supplies and will provide our clients with regular updates. New clients can continue to access our medication service.

New clients can access our medication service, however, supplies of certain medications remain unstable so we are unable to start both new and existing clients on certain brands of medication.  

We continue to monitor supplies and provide our clients with regular updates.

The supply of some medications remain unstable as demand fluctuates, and as a result we remain unable to start clients on certain brands of medication.  

We continue to monitor supplies and receive regular updates around the types of medication that are currently available.

We will continue to provide our clients with regular updates.

The supply of some Methyphenidate have stabilised so for that reason we have begun to prescribe these medications to new clients.

The supply of Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and Atomoxetine (Strattera) continues to remain uncertain, as a result we will not be prescribing these until supplies stabilise.

As always, we will continue to monitor ongoing supplies and will keep our clients updated during this time.  

Long term supplies of certain ADHD medication still remain uncertain and as a responsible healthcare provider, we are following government guidance, which has not changed since the shortage began.  

This means that we are still not prescribing medication to any new clients. We are in regular contact with manufacturers and continue to monitor the situation closely.  

We will continue to update our clients on a regular basis.  

We have contacted each of our clients individually, and discussed the possibility of switching their medication where appropriate.

Long term supplies of Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and Atomoxetine (Strattera) remain uncertain.

As a responsible healthcare provider, we are following government guidance, which has not changed since the shortage began. This means that we are still not prescribing medication to any new clients.

We have received assurance this week that the stock levels of Methyphenidate (Concerta XL, Xenidate XL, Matoride XL, Xaggitin, Equasym XL, Medikinet XL) have stabilised.  

Unfortunately, there are still supply issues with Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and Atomoxetine (Strattera). 

What does this mean for you or your child?

We are looking to resume prescribing medication as soon as we are able:

1. If you have been prescribed Methylphenidate by us, and currently have your treatment on hold, we will call you next week to book in a review appointment. At your review appointment, your prescriber will discuss the options available to you, depending on your specific circumstances.

2. If you have been prescribed Lisdexamfetamine or Atomoxetine by us, and your treatment is on hold, we will call you to book in your next review appointment. During this appointment, your prescriber will discuss with you whether switching to another medication is a clinically appropriate alternative for you.

3. If you are waiting to have a treatment planning appointment, this will go ahead as normal. Your options will be fully explained to you in the appointment. However, please be aware that we are still unable to resume prescribing for any new clients, in accordance with the government safety alert. 

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There is a global shortage of the following ADHD medications:

• Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse)
• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Methyphenidate (Concerta XL, Xenidate XL, Matoride XL, Xaggitin, Equasym XL, Medikinet XL)

As a result, supply reliability is significantly affected.  In order to maintain clinical safety, ProblemShared will be advising all clients to take a break from medication. We will not be prescribing ADHD medications until reliable provision of medication can resume.

Please be assured that every effort is being made to find a resolution.  While the issue is out of our control, we will do everything we can to support you through this time.

If the medication shortage affects you or your child, you will have received email communication from us advising you on how to proceed with alternative treatment options.  For further information, please read the FAQs further down this page, or download our guide to navigating the ADHD medication shortage.