If you’re managing ADHD with Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, there’s some critical news: national shortages are affecting the 12-hour prolonged-release versions of this medication, including popular brands like Concerta, Matoride, Delmosart, Xaggitin, Xenidate, and Affenid. Supply disruptions are expected to last until at least October 2024, according to a recent alert from the Scottish Government.
What’s Happening?
Methylphenidate comes in three key formulations, each offering different durations of symptom control:
- 4-hour (immediate-release) – Short-term symptom management.
- 8-hour (intermediate-release) – Lasts through most of the day.
- 12-hour (prolonged-release) – Covers a full day’s symptom control. Unfortunately, the 12-hour version, a go-to for many patients due to its long-lasting effect, is now in short supply.
The good news?
The 4-hour and 8-hour versions are still available, so you do have options.
How Does This Impact You?
For patients currently on the 12-hour preparation or those looking to start it, these shortages mean you may not be able to get your usual prescription. Clinicians are being advised to switch patients to other brands or shorter-acting formulations that are still in stock.
We cannot start any new Patient on the 12 hour preparations Rest assured, your doctor will carefully assess any differences between brands and how they might affect your symptoms. If you’re switched to another version, it’s crucial to monitor any changes in how you feel, and report new side effects.
Remember, these changes are temporary, and once supplies return, you’ll have the option to go back to your preferred brand.
If you’re having trouble getting your medication, contact our ADHD team. We’ll review your records and explore alternative treatments to keep your care on track during this challenging period.
Important Update: Methylphenidate Hydrochloride XL (12-Hour) Tablet Shortage
We wish to inform our patients about an ongoing medication shortage that may affect your treatment. All strengths of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride XL (12-hour) Tablets, which are commonly used for ADHD treatment, are currently in short supply. This includes medications branded as Concerta XL, Delmosart, Xaggitin XL, and Xenidate XL.
The stock issues are not expected to be resolved until September 2024.
What This Means for You:
- Current Patients: If you are experiencing difficulty obtaining your usual ADHD medication due to this shortage, we understand the challenges and frustration this may cause. If you require an alternative medication / dose because of the ADHD medication shortages, we recommend you book our TOMIS service. After filling out the online form, we will help you find an alternative medication. Replies are usually provided within 7 days of submitting the form.
How to Schedule a TOMIS Appointment:
To book The Online Medication Intervention Service, please visit our appointment scheduling page. Our team is here to support you and ensure that your treatment needs are met during this period.
We apologise for any inconvenience this shortage may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience.
We would also like to emphasise that our service and our team have no influence over the shortage and the current situation. Please be assured that our team is working diligently to support all patients through this challenging time.
Your health and well-being are our top priority.
Sincerely
Dr Georgina Brown
MBCHB MRCGP DFFP SMN Mediation
PG Diploma Clinical Psychiatry (Merit)
PG Certificate Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Medicine Supply Notification: Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) capsules
According to Community Pharmacy England, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse®) capsules
MSN/2024/051
Tier 3 high impact
Date of issue: 8th May 2024
- All strengths of Elvanse® capsules are now available and an improved level of supply will continue across the majority of Elvanse® and Elvanse Adult® presentations.
- There will however be intermittent supply issues with Elvanse® 40mg, Elvanse® Adult 40mg and Elvanse® 60mg capsules until August 2024.
- Elvanse® 20mg capsules remain available, but, cannot support an increase in demand during shortages of Elvanse® 40mg, Elvanse® Adult 40mg and Elvanse® 60mg capsules
- Elvanse® 30mg capsules remain available and can support an increase in demand during the shortage of Elvanse 60mg capsules.
- Unlicensed supplies of lisdexamfetamine capsules can be sourced, lead times vary.
- Generic dexamfetamine 5mg tablets and Amfexa (dexamfetamine) 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets remain available but are unable meet large increases in demand.
We have been informed that the current Methylphenidate Hydrochloride MR (the 12-hour Tablets) in all strengths are in very limited supply or currently unavailable
Examples of these are:
- Matoride
- Concerta XL
- Xaggitin XL
- Xenidate XL
- Delmosart
- Affenid
Again, disappointingly there appears to have been no warning about this in advance of the shortages, and also no communication from the relevant drug companies.
As you are aware multiple drug companies produce Methylphenidate Hydrochloride MR and so we are unsure of the exact reasons for this; however, as an alternative, there is current availability of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Capsules, which are an 8 hourly preparation with no current shortages.
We have also directly confirmed this with the relevant Drug company representative.
As such if the shortages continue please do not hesitate to get in contact with us and we will aim to change your prescription to an available preparation.
It will likely be a capsule form (instead of a tablet), and also it may be that whilst shortages persist you may need 2 types of methylphenidate to ensure you have good daily treatment for your ADHD symptoms.
However, clinicians will ensure they review all records individually to find the best treatment plan for you.
Dr Georgina Brown
Clinical Governance Lead
ADHD Direct
ADHD Medications affected by the shortage
Methylphenidate:
• Equasym XL® 10, 20 and 30 mg capsules
• Xaggitin XL® 18 and 36 mg prolonged-release tablets
• Xenidate XL® 27 mg prolonged-release tablets
Lisdexamfetamine:
• Elvanse® 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg capsules
• Elvanse® Adult 30, 50, and 70 mg capsules
Guanfacine:
• Intuniv® 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg prolonged-release tablets
The shortages are due to the disruption of these products caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and increased global demand. You can find further details on the availability on the SPS website.
Expected stock availability:
Vyvanse® & Intuniv®:
Unlicensed imports of lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®) capsules and guanfacine (Intuniv®) prolonged-release tablets have been sourced.
Equasym XL®:
Limited parallel imports of methylphenidate (Equasym XL®) modified release capsules remain available.
Atomoxetine:
The supply issue with atomoxetine is set to be resolved in October 2023.
Subscribe here to receive emails with updates on the situation:
Next steps:
If your medication is currently affected by the shortage and you require a prescription, you have the following options:
-
Get the prescriptions sent directly to your home or pick it up in our clinic and contact local pharmacies. Some pharmacies might have stock left or restock small amounts.
-
Wait until your medication is back in stock.
Getting a new prescription
You can ask our team to email you a copy of your prescription prior to posting it. Some pharmacies require a copy of the prescription to reserve the medication.
Book a medication review
Book your medication review today. Medication reviews are available as virtual appointments and as in-person appointments in our clinic in Glasgow
