The FDA “is in frequent communication with all manufacturers of amphetamine mixed salts, and one of those companies, Teva, is experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays,” a statement from the agency said, referring to precursors to manufacture Adderall—a drug mixture composed of equal parts racemic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
According to the FDA’s website, supply recovery for different doses and forms of the drug ranges from October 2022 to March 2023.
“Until supply is restored, there are alternative therapies including the extended-release version of amphetamine mixed salts available to health care professionals and their patients for amphetamine mixed salts’ approved indications,” the FDA’s continued. “Patients should work with their health care professionals to determine their best treatment option.”
The FDA did not elaborate on why there is a shortage of the drug.
But it said that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the top seller of Adderall in the country, “is experiencing ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays,” the FDA stated. Other drug makers continue to manufacture amphetamine mixed salts, but it’s not in sufficient quantities to meet the current demand, the FDA added.
Teva, in a statement to news outlets this week, said that it is producing and refilling the supply of generic and branded Adderall “at levels above historic demand,” before it added: “We expect inventory recovery in the coming months.”
The Israel-based company will continue to have challenges supplying Adderall for the next two to three months, Bloomberg News reported last week.
“Due to its addiction potential, a person can rapidly move from Adderall recreational use to misuse to addiction. While teens and young adults are most affected, anyone can develop an Adderall misuse problem. The physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms can include,” says the American Addiction Centers on its website.
