Dr. Adiaha Spinks-Franklin
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician
We have had a national shortage of certain stimulant medications used to treat the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurobehavior disorder that effects the way a person is able to regular their attention, control their impulses, and manage their own activity or energy levels. The comprehensive treatment for ADHD includes behavior supports, academic accommodations, and medication management.
Stimulants are the main category of medicines used to treat the distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. There are two main forms of stimulants—methylphenidate (the “Ritalin” medicines) and amphetamines (the “Adderall” medicines). In October, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accounted there was a shortage of the short-acting, immediate release form of Adderall due to an increase in demand for the medicine. During the pandemic, there was a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with ADHD. In December, 2022, one of the pharmaceutical companies stopped making the generic form of Concerta, a long-acting form of methylphenidate. These changes—increased demand, decrease supply—created a snowball effect, where the nation experienced shortages of numerous stimulant medications.
If you are living with the affects of the stimulant medication shortages, there are some things you may consider doing:
- Medication Options:
- Talk to your child’s ADHD medication prescribing physician or health care provider. Learn whether there are other medication formulations that may help treat your child’s ADHD symptoms.
- There is a very helpful, free resource called the ADHD Medication Guide www.adhdmedicationguide.com that you can review with your child’s prescribing provider
- Talk to your local pharmacist to learn which stimulant medicines and doses they have in stock.
- Find out from your child’s health insurance company which stimulant medicines they cover
- Exercise and Movement: Children with ADHD, like children in general, benefit from physical activity. Even though it is cold outside, provide your child with opportunities to run, jump, and play outside or in an indoor space, where they can expend some energy.
- Schedules: Help your child create picture schedules or check lists of what tasks they need to do to get ready in the morning, when they get home from school, and to prepare for bedtime. Youth with ADHD often respond better to visual reminders rather than auditory reminders.
- Giving Commands: It is often challenging for youth with ADHD to follow multi-step commands. Therefore, when giving commands, do the following:
- Call your child’s first name.
- Make eye contact.
