National shortage of ADHD medication, Elvanse
Last Autumn, the UK Government announced a shortage of medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) including Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine). The supply issues are international, and have been caused by both manufacturing issues (caps on supply in the USA) and a huge increase in global demand.
Previously predicted to be resolved last autumn, the Elvanse shortage is now expected to last up to April 2024, despite government promises to work and resolve the issue with manufacturers. Some ADHD products have come back into stock – there currently are supplies available of Intuniv (guanfacine) and Straterra (atomoxetine) – but generally the supply chain is fragile and subject to change. If you have any worries, speak to your GP.
If you can’t get your ADHD prescription from your usual pharmacy, another pharmacy might have it in stock. But as this is a national shortage, it makes things tricker. The best plan is to go back to the GP or person who prescribed your medication and ask their advice.
While you wait for your medication there are some general things you can do to help yourself including exercise, getting good sleep, focussing on a healthy diet and (if you’re able to) accessing therapy.
Stopping or trying to ‘conserve’ your meds by reducing your dose isn’t something you should do alone. Definitely speak to your GP about this.
Switching medication is complex, and advice across the board is not to swap out what you’ve already been prescribed. This is definitely something to speak to your GP about.
Yes. Medication can be restarted for patients affected by this shortage. If you haven’t started taking any ADHD medication yet, phase 2 of the shortage will be getting prescriptions out to recently diagnosed people.
If you’re a patient and you’d like your online private prescription, or NHS e-prescription of Elvanse delivered straight to your door (when it’s in stock) just get in touch. We offer same day home delivery of your medication in London and within 24 hours nationwide.
If you’re a clinic looking for a regular supply of Elvanse or other ADHD meds, just reach out to us by emailing [email protected] or visit our help and support centre.
If you have any questions at all, we’d love to hear from you. Just give us a call on 0333 3555990. We offer support 7 days a week, and you’ll always speak to a human – never a robot.