How To Check If A Pharmacy Has Adderall In Stock? What To Do

The shortage of Adderall has left many wanting to learn how to check if a pharmacy has Adderall in stock. 

Adderall is a prescription drug that doctors use to treat people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

The drug has a stimulant, amphetamine, which increases the brain’s prefrontal cortex function helping people to self-regulate and focus their attention. 

However, the US has experienced a drug shortage, with doctors diagnosing more people with ADHD every day. If you struggle to check if a pharmacy has Adderall in stock, here’s how to do it. 

How To Check If A Pharmacy Has Adderall In Stock?

The simplest way to check if a pharmacy has Adderall in stock is to call to inquire. Nonetheless, you could visit the pharmacy’s website to see if the drugs are in stock. When a pharmacy runs out of Adderall, they will indicate it on their website. 

You could also ask your healthcare provider, as they have updated information on the stock of Adderall in pharmacies. If Adderall is out of stock, don’t panic, there are some alternatives to control your ADHD.  

Alternatives To Adderall

If you can’t find your Adderall medication in the pharmacies, other options are available. ADHD medication is essential in your life as it affects your concentration. 

Without it, you will find reading, driving, or working hard. Here are some other safe and alternative medications for ADHD patients: 

1. Modafinil

Modafinil is a CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant that pharmacies sell under the brand name Provigil. It promotes alertness and reduces drowsiness due to sleep work imbalance or narcolepsy.

Though it is not FDA-approved for treating ADHD, your healthcare provider can still prescribe it as an alternative treatment. 

2. Ritalin

Ritalin is another CNS that alleviates ADHD symptoms like impulsive behavior and inattention. It operates faster than Adderall but won’t last long in the body. Ritalin can be a solid option for ADHD treatment to discuss with your healthcare provider. 

3. Vyvvamind 

Vyvvamind is a vitamin-rich natural supplement that you can buy over the counter. The supplement has active ingredients such as Caffeine, Choline, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, B6, and B12. 

The rich vitamins of the natural supplement promote focus and motivation without causing the risk of dependency on its users. 

It can be a stable option as you wait for pharmaceutical companies to deliver your Adderall prescription as promised. 

4. Intuniv

Guanfacine, commonly known as Intunive, belongs to the central agonist class of medication. The non-stimulant reduces impulsivity and increases an individual’s attention span.  

It takes longer than Adderall to fade in the body, and it’s also a good prescription for treating high blood pressure. 

While this alternative will foster similar results to Adderall, your interaction with them can have different side effects. It is best to talk to your healthcare provider before changing your standard ADHD medication.

Adderall Withdrawal

Those with ADHD suffering from the shortage of Adderall know that it is not an easy task. Adderall withdrawal symptoms affect both children and adults. Here are some Adderall withdrawal symptoms: 

Agitation 

Adderall users have reported to their healthcare providers that the prescription shortage has gotten them agitated over small things. The fact of understanding that there is a solution to their problem, yet it is not available, pisses them off. 

Some users have confessed to snapping at their wives and being overly reactive to certain conditions and issues in the house. 

Being Slow

Adderall is a stimulant that increases the brain’s activity. Therefore, withdrawal from it will generally cause a slowing of physical and mental activity. 

One cannot focus on simple tasks such as driving, and some users have reported surpassing their work deadlines. 

Low concentration means low productivity at work for adults, which could lead to job loss. Children become less connected to their school work, and teachers have witnessed some displaying compulsive behaviors. 

Increased Appetite

Withdrawal from Adderall will also increase the desire to eat for some patients. Increased appetite could mean binge eating, which is terrible, especially for an individual’s health and fitness goals. 

Some ADHD patients can develop eating disorders which could generally affect their physical and mental well-being. 

Unusual Tiredness

As Adderall withdrawal slows down physical activity, ADHD patients might feel extremely tired or weak. 

The fatigue that comes from withdrawal makes them highly unproductive and lazy to perform their daily tasks and earn a living. 

Lack Of Sleep 

Some clinics say some individuals experience severe sleep disorders due to withdrawal. Some patients experience nightmares that keep them up all night, while others generally sleep too much. 

Some patients have reported that they generally can’t find sleep at night, making them feel like insomniacs. 

Being Irritable

ADHD patients who were off Adderall claimed that they get easily irritated. Things such as the sound of water dripping or the clock ticking could irritate them to the point that they feel like punching the wall. 

Loss Of Interest 

Patients that had to withdraw from Adderall due to the shortage said that they lost interest in their hobbies. They lost interest in the things that kept them happy as they felt disconnected from the world. 

Loss of interest leads to compulsive behaviors; some even get bored with their friends, spouse, and family members. This side effect from withdrawal wildly shook their relationships and connection with the people they love. 

The only way of coping with Adderall withdrawal is by developing a routine that works or switching to alternative meds. 

What Is Causing The Shortage Of Adderall?

The Food and Drug Administration listed Adderall as a short-supply drug in 2022. According to their website, the shortage of the drug was supposed to be over by August of the same year. However, ADHD patients are still complaining there is still a drug shortage. 

So, what is causing the shortage of Adderall? Here are a few causes: 

1. Surge In Adderall Users

The United States is facing a surge in the number of prescriptions for Adderall, rising from 37-41 million in 2021 alone. Anxiety and the desire to concentrate have led many people to use Adderall as a coping mechanism. 

This rise in consumption is one reason why Adderall is in short supply.

2. Manufacturing Delays

Prominent manufacturers of Adderall and ADHD meds, such as Teva, have confessed to experiencing intermittent manufacturing delays. Therefore, they can’t produce enough Adderall to meet the rising high market demand. 

3. Over prescription

Doctors have been overprescribing Adderall, especially to young adults aged 22-44. It might be due to the continuous rise of people heading to hospitals saying they have attention issues. 

4. Regulation

Adderall and other ADHD meds have a habit-forming substance. In 2018, research suggested that more than 5 million prescribed Adderall users in the US were misusing the drug.

So, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had to set quotas to regulate how much manufacturers can produce. 

The quotas DEA set are a part of what is causing the shortage of Adderall and other ADHD medications. 

What To Do If You Can’t Get Adderall

If you can’t get access to Adderall, don’t lose hope, there are still ways you could cope and live a productive life. Some of the things worth trying during this shortage of ADHD include: 

Try Non-Stimulant Medication

Over the past few years, non-stimulant medications have also proved effective in handling ADHD. 

They lack the stimulant, amphetamine, meaning they are not habit-forming, and you could leave them any time you like without withdrawal symptoms. 

In 2021, the FDA approved a new non-stimulant medication, Qelbree, which doctors can prescribe to ADHD patients when Adderall is unavailable. 

See An ADHD Coach

An executive functioning ADHD coach can also help you manage your symptoms effectively, as the drug is still in short supply. A coach will help you build a personalized routine that works for you. 

Due to technological advancements, you do not have to meet them physically; you can do all your training virtually. 

Therefore, you can be productive as you used to be without anyone noticing that you are off your meds. 

Try Ration Medication 

Due to the short supply, you could choose to skip taking Adderall on specific days so that your limited supply could last longer. 

You could choose to take Adderall on your working days and decide to go without on the weekends when you don’t need to be so productive. 

If you struggle with rationing your medication, an ADHD specialist coach could assist you. 

Build A Support System 

Since you know that you are going to be off the ADHD meds for a while, it is essential to have a support system to help you get through it. Your support system could include family members, an ADHD coach, and others suffering from the disorder. 

You could also include your boss at work. Your support system will help you control your compulsive behavior and motivate you to keep working hard without the meds. 

Conclusion

Learning how to check if a pharmacy has Adderall in stock can help you prevent running out during this shortage. Giving a pharmacy a call or checking their website could help. If you can’t find Adderall, you could try other ADHD medications to help you stay productive. 

Adderall withdrawal can cause sleep disorders and slow down your mental and physical activity. Therefore, it is critical to incorporate intelligent ways such as rationing your medication to help your limited supply last longer.