How to navigate your ADHD medication being back ordered or out of stock
1. Can you afford to wait 2- 5 days?
Often, pharmacies don't have exact dates of when the next shipment will arrive so it feels discouraging but in reality, they usually do receive a delivery within the week.
2. Can you try taking two 10mg capsules instead of one 20mg capsule?
Sometimes insurance won't cover more than 30 tablets or capsules per month but it may be worth trying or even using a Goodrx.com to cover the difference.
3. Can you try a similar but different medication like Focalin instead of Ritalin LA or Dexedrine instead of Adderall?
Most people respond just as well to a different formulation in the same class (methylphenidates and amphetamines). There are many formulations of both types of stimulants. Worst case, may be to consider an immediate release instead of a long acting.
4. Always pick up an order when you can so you have some supply to work with at home.
Sometimes people miss a pick up date due to vacation or taking a medication holiday. Even if you take a break from meds, stay on a regular pick up schedule so that you have some supply on hand to work with in the event a shortage occurs.
5. Calling around to pharmacies should be a very last resort and avoided as this triggers red flags in prescription monitoring programs.
6. Be friendly and polite with pharmacy staff, they have the power to offer help... if they want to.
When a pharmacy is feeling helpful, they will let you know which capsule or tables sizes they have in stock. They may even recommend a similar formulation to your regular medication that they have in stock. And, a pharmacy may also transfer the prescription to one of their other locations as a newer law (passed in 2024) allows a one time stimulant prescription transfer between pharmacies for a patient.
7. Use your insurance company's preferred 90-day mail-away pharmacy like Express Scripts, OptumRx or CVS Caremark.
It may take up to 2 weeks for them to mail it to you but having a 90 day supply prevents shortage scares.
1. Can you afford to wait 2- 5 days?
Often, pharmacies don't have exact dates of when the next shipment will arrive so it feels discouraging but in reality, they usually do receive a delivery within the week.
2. Can you try taking two 10mg capsules instead of one 20mg capsule?
Sometimes insurance won't cover more than 30 tablets or capsules per month but it may be worth trying or even using a Goodrx.com to cover the difference.
3. Can you try a similar but different medication like Focalin instead of Ritalin LA or Dexedrine instead of Adderall?
Most people respond just as well to a different formulation in the same class (methylphenidates and amphetamines). There are many formulations of both types of stimulants. Worst case, may be to consider an immediate release instead of a long acting.
4. Always pick up an order when you can so you have some supply to work with at home.
Sometimes people miss a pick up date due to vacation or taking a medication holiday. Even if you take a break from meds, stay on a regular pick up schedule so that you have some supply on hand to work with in the event a shortage occurs.
5. Calling around to pharmacies should be a very last resort and avoided as this triggers red flags in prescription monitoring programs.
6. Be friendly and polite with pharmacy staff, they have the power to offer help... if they want to.
When a pharmacy is feeling helpful, they will let you know which capsule or tables sizes they have in stock. They may even recommend a similar formulation to your regular medication that they have in stock. And, a pharmacy may also transfer the prescription to one of their other locations as a newer law (passed in 2024) allows a one time stimulant prescription transfer between pharmacies for a patient.
7. Use your insurance company's preferred 90-day mail-away pharmacy like Express Scripts, OptumRx or CVS Caremark.
It may take up to 2 weeks for them to mail it to you but having a 90 day supply prevents shortage scares.
