Is There Still an Adderall Shortage? What the FDA Lists Now
Is There Still an Adderall Shortage? What the FDA Lists Now
Yes. As of October 16, 2026, the FDA's drug shortage database still lists generic Adderall (immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts tablets) in active shortage. Of 73 listed presentations from 11 manufacturers, 19 are unavailable and 9 are limited. Generic Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and methylphenidate extended-release tablets are also still listed. Separately, DEA telehealth flexibilities for controlled substances expire December 31, 2026 unless extended.
Shortage Status by Medicine, October 2026
| Medicine (FDA listing name) | Sold as | On FDA list since | Listed presentations | Available | Limited | Unavailable | Makers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed amphetamine salts tablets (IR) | Adderall | Oct 12, 2022 | 73 | 45 | 9 | 19 | 11 |
| Lisdexamfetamine capsules and chewable tablets | Vyvanse | Jul 14, 2023 | 107 | 74 | 32 | 1 | 14 |
| Methylphenidate ER tablets and ER film | Concerta-type ER | Jul 26, 2023 | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
Source: FDA Drug Shortages database via openFDA, data last updated Oct 16, 2026. Counts are listed presentations (strength and package), not pharmacy shelf stock.
Where these numbers come from. We pulled the FDA's public shortage feed on October 17, counted each listed package once at its most recent update, and grouped by the availability label the manufacturer reported. A listing marked "Available" can still be hard to find at a particular pharmacy; these are regulatory filings, not real-time inventory. This is not medical advice. Roon sells a caffeine product, links to it below, and does not sell or compare prescription medications.
Which Adderall Strengths and Makers Are Affected?
Six of the 11 listed makers of immediate-release tablets report a strength as limited or unavailable, led by Granules, Aurobindo and Oryza. The FDA entry names immediate-release tablets only: extended-release mixed amphetamine salts capsules (generic Adderall XR) do not appear on the FDA's current list as of October 16, 2026, and that says nothing about stock at any given pharmacy.
Here is how each of the 11 listed manufacturers of IR tablets reports its strengths:
| Maker | Listed strengths status | Reason given | Company estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granules | 7 unavailable | Shortage of an active ingredient | October 2026 |
| Aurobindo | 6 unavailable | Shortage of an active ingredient | April 2027 |
| Oryza | 5 unavailable | Shortage of an active ingredient | April 2027 |
| Epic Pharma | 5 limited | Shortage of an active ingredient | TBD |
| SpecGx | 3 limited, 3 available | Demand increase for the drug | TBD |
| Teva (brand Adderall) | 12 available, 1 limited, 1 unavailable (3.125 mg) | Other | October 2026 |
| Alvogen, Elite, Lannett, Sandoz, Sunrise | All listed strengths available | none | none |
Source: FDA Drug Shortages database entries, updated between Aug 20 and Oct 15, 2026.
Five manufacturers report all their listed strengths as available. The remaining six account for every "unavailable" and "limited" entry.
When Will the Adderall Shortage End?
No agency or manufacturer has published an end date. Granules and Teva estimate recovery by October 2026. Aurobindo and Oryza estimate April 2027. SpecGx and Epic Pharma list their timelines as "TBD." These are company-reported estimates inside the FDA listing; they have shifted before. The amphetamine salts shortage entry has been open since October 12, 2022, four years.
Why the Shortage Has Lasted Since 2022
A joint FDA and DEA letter dated August 1, 2023 laid out the mechanics. The shortage began in late 2022 with a manufacturing delay at one maker. Record-high prescribing compounded the problem: stimulant dispensing rose 45.5% from 2012 to 2021 across the United States. At the same time, manufacturers only sold roughly 70% of their allotted production quota for amphetamine medications in 2022, leaving about one billion doses they could have made but did not.
The FDA and DEA stated plainly that they "cannot require a pharmaceutical company to make a drug, make more of a drug, or change the distribution of a drug." Today, most of the unavailable listings on the FDA feed cite "Shortage of an active ingredient" as the reason.
On the quota side, the DEA's final 2026 aggregate production quota order (effective January 5, 2026) set d,l-amphetamine, d-amphetamine for conversion, and lisdexamfetamine production limits "at higher levels than were proposed." That quota increase has not ended the shortage so far.
Is There a Vyvanse Shortage Too?
Generic lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) capsules and chewables have been listed in shortage since July 14, 2023. The FDA feed shows 107 presentations from 14 manufacturers: 74 available, 32 limited, and 1 unavailable. All chewable tablet listings show as available. Several makers, including Solco and Hikma, note they are "on allocation," meaning limited supply is rationed among customers. For more on how Vyvanse interacts with caffeine, see Vyvanse and caffeine.
What About Concerta and Other Methylphenidate?
Methylphenidate extended-release tablets have been listed since July 26, 2023. Of 38 listed presentations (including 4 ER film entries), 23 are available, 9 limited, and 6 unavailable. Lannett estimates recovery by November 2026. Sun's entries note "Currently not marketed," a discontinuation rather than a temporary supply gap.
What Happens to Telehealth Prescriptions After December 31, 2026?
The fourth temporary extension of COVID-era telehealth flexibilities runs January 1 through December 31, 2026 and "expires at the end of December 31, 2026." Under this rule, a DEA-registered practitioner can prescribe Schedule II through V controlled substances (Adderall is Schedule II) via telemedicine without a prior in-person evaluation. Its stated purpose: preventing "the reinstatement of the pre-pandemic restrictions" while the DEA works on permanent rules.
What comes next is unclear. The DEA proposed a Special Registration for Telemedicine framework on January 17, 2025, but that proposal is not final. A law-firm alert from McDermott (September 18, 2026) reported that the DEA submitted a final special registration rule to OMB review on August 25, 2026, but the text has not been made public.
If you currently see a prescriber only by video, ask now what their plan is for January.
What to Do If Your Pharmacy Is Out
- Call around. Other pharmacies in your area, or a few miles away, may have the strength you need. Your pharmacist can also check supply through their distributor.
- Ask your prescriber about alternatives. A different strength, manufacturer, or formulation may be appropriate, but only your prescriber can authorize a change.
- Do not stop or switch on your own. Any change to the medicine, strength or schedule should come from your prescriber.
- Never buy stimulants from an unverified online source. Without a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy, there is no way to confirm what you are getting.
- Never take or share someone else's prescription. The FDA notes that most people who misuse prescription stimulants obtain them from family members or peers.
Safety Notes for Stimulant Patients
Prescription stimulants carry an FDA boxed warning for abuse, misuse, addiction, and overdose. Take your medication exactly as prescribed and never share it. Before adding caffeine or any supplement to a stimulant regimen, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. See caffeine and Adderall interactions for a longer discussion. Roon is not a treatment for ADHD and is not a substitute for any prescribed medication. If you or someone you know is struggling with stimulant misuse, contact SAMHSA's helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Related from Roon
- Alternatives to Adderall for ADHD
- Vyvanse and caffeine
- How to focus with ADHD without medication (habits to discuss with your clinician, not a replacement for treatment)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adderall XR in shortage?
Extended-release mixed amphetamine salts capsules (generic Adderall XR) do not appear on the FDA's current shortage list as of October 16, 2026; only the immediate-release tablets do. Pharmacy stock can still vary, so if you are having difficulty filling an XR prescription, ask your pharmacist to check distributor availability or contact your prescriber about options. You can look up the current status directly in the FDA Drug Shortages database.
Is Adderall being discontinued?
No FDA shortage listing indicates that Adderall or its generic equivalents are being discontinued. Individual manufacturer entries show statuses of "Available," "Limited," or "Unavailable," all of which describe temporary supply conditions, not permanent removal from the market.
Can I still get Adderall through telehealth in 2027?
That depends on whether the DEA finalizes its proposed Special Registration for Telemedicine or issues another extension before December 31, 2026. As of October 17, 2026, no final permanent rule has been published. Patients who rely on telehealth prescribing should discuss contingency plans with their provider now.
Where can I check the shortage myself?
The FDA maintains a searchable Drug Shortages database where you can look up any medication by name. Each entry shows the manufacturer, listed strengths, availability status, and estimated recovery date when one is reported.
Everyday Caffeine, Not a Prescription Swap
Roon is not a treatment for ADHD. It is not a replacement for any prescribed stimulant medication. If you take a stimulant prescription, talk to your prescriber before adding caffeine of any kind.
For adults who simply want sustained, everyday caffeine for an afternoon of desk work, Roon delivers 80 mg caffeine with 60 mg L-theanine, 25 mg methylliberine (Dynamine), and 5 mg theacrine (TeaCrine) in a zero-nicotine, zero-sugar oral pouch. Methylliberine slows caffeine clearance: a randomized, double-blind crossover PK study (n=12) found oral clearance dropped from 41.9 to 17.1 L/hr and half-life extended from 7.2 to 15 hours, with no higher peak. That study dosed 100 mg methylliberine with 150 mg caffeine, about 4x and 1.9x Roon's amounts, so the direction applies but the exact numbers do not. A longer half-life on paper is not the same as 15 hours of alertness; most people feel a pouch for roughly 6 to 8 hours, so plan the last one at least 8 hours before sleep.
Roon starts from $9.16 per tin on the 12-tin subscription, as little as $0.61 per pouch. Count every pouch toward the FDA's 400 mg daily guideline. Adults 18+ only.
Sources
- FDA Drug Shortages Database
- openFDA Drug Shortages endpoint (data last updated Oct 16, 2026)
- Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities, Federal Register 2025-24123
- DEA 2026 Aggregate Production Quotas, Federal Register 2025-24277
- FDA and DEA Joint Letter to the Public, August 1, 2023
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Prescription Stimulant Warnings, May 11, 2023
- McDermott: DEA Appears Close to Finalizing Telemedicine Special Registration, Sept 18, 2026
- FDA: Spilling the Beans, How Much Caffeine Is Too Much
- Mondal et al., Caffeine and Methylliberine PK Interaction Study, Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 2022
Written by Roon Team
