Yes, there is an ongoing shortage of generic lisdexamfetamine (the active ingredient in Vyvanse), though brand-name Vyvanse itself is currently listed as available. The shortage primarily affects generic capsules and chewable tablets, with most generic manufacturers reporting limited availability or complete unavailability across nearly all dosage strengths. If you’ve been struggling to fill your prescription, you’re not imagining it.
What’s Available and What’s Not
Brand-name Vyvanse, made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, is listed as available on the FDA’s drug shortage database in all capsule strengths (10 mg through 70 mg) and all chewable tablet strengths (10 mg through 60 mg). That said, “available” from the manufacturer doesn’t always mean your local pharmacy has it in stock.
The generic market is where the real problems are. The FDA lists seven generic capsule manufacturers, and the picture is bleak across the board. Amneal Pharmaceuticals has all strengths (20 mg through 70 mg) listed as unavailable with no estimated release date. Mallinckrodt has its 10 mg capsules on back order with an estimated return of May 2026. Mylan (Viatris) has its 20 mg capsules on back order, also with no estimated release date. Other manufacturers, including Hikma, Solco Healthcare, Elite Laboratories, and SpecGx, have most or all of their strengths listed as “limited availability.” Generic chewable tablets are in somewhat better shape but still show limited supply from some manufacturers.
The practical result: even if your prescription is technically fillable, your pharmacy may need to call around, order from different distributors, or switch you between manufacturers depending on what’s in stock that week.
Why the Shortage Is Happening
The core issue, cited by nearly every affected manufacturer on the FDA’s shortage list, is a shortage of the active ingredient used to make lisdexamfetamine. This is a supply-chain problem at the raw material level, which means individual manufacturers can’t simply ramp up production on their own.
There’s also a regulatory layer. Because lisdexamfetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance (the same category as other ADHD stimulants like Adderall), the DEA sets annual production quotas that cap how much can be manufactured in the United States. In September 2024, the DEA increased the production quota for lisdexamfetamine from 26,500 kilograms to 32,736 kilograms, a roughly 24% jump. Part of that increase, about 1,558 kilograms, was specifically meant to address rising domestic demand for finished medications. The rest addressed growing international demand.
The DEA also had to increase the production quota for a precursor chemical, d-amphetamine (used in the synthesis of lisdexamfetamine), from 20,000 kilograms to 23,688 kilograms. These quota increases were a direct response to the FDA formally notifying the DEA about the shortage in July 2024. Despite the increased limits, the shortage has persisted because raising a quota doesn’t instantly translate into more pills on pharmacy shelves. Manufacturers still need adequate raw materials and time to scale production.
Why Generics Are Hit Harder Than Brand-Name
Generic lisdexamfetamine only became available after Vyvanse’s patent exclusivity ended, and several manufacturers entered the market in a relatively short window. When the active ingredient supply tightened, these newer generic producers were more vulnerable. Takeda, which has manufactured Vyvanse for years, had more established supply chains and has been able to maintain availability. Generic makers, competing for the same limited pool of raw materials, have struggled to keep up. The result is a two-tier situation where the brand name is technically available but costs significantly more, and the generics that most people rely on for affordability are the ones in short supply.
When the Shortage Might End
No one has given a firm end date. Of the three manufacturers tracked by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists with specific back-order information, only Mallinckrodt has offered a timeline: May 2026 for its 10 mg capsules. Amneal and Mylan both say they cannot estimate a release date. The absence of clear timelines suggests the underlying supply-chain issues with the active ingredient haven’t been fully resolved, even after the DEA’s quota increase.
What You Can Do in the Meantime
If your pharmacy can’t fill your generic lisdexamfetamine prescription, there are a few practical steps worth trying. First, call multiple pharmacies. Stock levels vary by location and distributor, and a pharmacy across town may have what yours doesn’t. Some larger chain pharmacies have tools to check inventory at nearby locations. You can also ask your pharmacist whether a different generic manufacturer’s version is in stock, since your prescription can typically be filled by any available manufacturer.
If generics are completely unavailable in your area, your prescriber may be able to write for brand-name Vyvanse, though cost can be a barrier without insurance coverage or a manufacturer coupon. Talk to your prescriber about whether this is a realistic option for you.
If lisdexamfetamine is consistently unfindable, switching medications is another possibility. Clinical guidance recommends staying within the same drug class when possible, meaning another amphetamine-based medication rather than jumping to a completely different type. If a cross-class switch is necessary (for example, to a methylphenidate-based medication), there’s no simple dose conversion. Your prescriber would need to start a new dosing process from scratch and monitor you closely for changes in symptom control, sleep, appetite, and mood. Don’t adjust your dose on your own or stretch your supply by skipping days without discussing it with your prescriber first, as this can affect how well the medication works and how you feel during the transition.