Yes, the Adderall shortage is still ongoing. Multiple generic manufacturers continue to report backorders, and several don’t expect full recovery until mid-to-late 2026. While brand-name Adderall from Teva and some generic versions are technically available, specific dosages remain difficult to find, and the supply is inconsistent enough that many pharmacies still can’t reliably stock what patients need.
Which Dosages Are Hardest to Find
The shortage doesn’t affect every form and strength equally. Brand-name Adderall from Teva is listed as available, and a handful of generic manufacturers (Camber, Granules, Mallinckrodt, Sunrise) report having immediate-release tablets in stock. But several major suppliers are in worse shape. Rhodes has every strength of immediate-release tablets, from 5 mg through 30 mg, on back order with no estimated release date. Sandoz lists its 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets as available only in limited supply, with intermittent backorders expected through the first half of 2026.
Teva itself has its 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 30 mg immediate-release tablets on intermittent back order, releasing product as it becomes available rather than maintaining steady inventory. Two manufacturers, Mylan and Zydus, have discontinued their generic versions entirely. Solco has also discontinued production. That means fewer companies are splitting the demand, which puts more pressure on those still manufacturing.
Why the Shortage Keeps Dragging On
The roots of this shortage trace back to late 2022, when a spike in ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions collided with production problems. COVID-era stresses led more people to seek treatment at the same time Teva, the largest Adderall producer, experienced production delays from worker shortages. Those two forces created a gap between supply and demand that has never fully closed.
Today, the reasons vary by manufacturer but cluster around a few themes. Multiple companies cite delays in obtaining the active pharmaceutical ingredient needed to produce the medication. Epic Pharma and Sandoz point to increased demand they can’t keep pace with. Oryza reports shipping delays. Several manufacturers simply decline to give a reason at all.
There’s also a regulatory layer. The DEA sets annual limits on how much of any controlled substance manufacturers are allowed to produce. In September 2025, the DEA raised the production cap for a related ADHD medication (lisdexamfetamine, the active ingredient in Vyvanse) by about 22%, from roughly 32.7 million grams to 39.9 million grams. It also increased the corresponding cap for d-amphetamine used in that manufacturing process. The agency noted that bulk manufacturers started 2025 with inventories well below the levels they’re permitted to hold, a sign that production hadn’t been keeping up with legitimate demand.
When Supply Might Stabilize
The FDA tracks estimated recovery dates from each manufacturer, and the picture is not encouraging for anyone hoping this resolves quickly. Teva estimates recovery for some of its dosages by May 2026, with others listed as “to be determined.” Lannett also projects May 2026. Aurobindo, which makes several lower-dose generics, doesn’t expect availability until October 2026. Oryza estimates June 2026. Elite Laboratories says roughly three months from now for its lineup.
Sandoz expects intermittent backorders to continue through at least mid-2026. Alvogen is only supplying its contracted pharmacy partners, meaning it’s not available on the open market. In practical terms, if you’re having trouble filling your prescription today, conditions will likely improve gradually over the next year rather than resolving all at once.
Vyvanse and Other ADHD Medications Are Affected Too
The shortage has rippled into alternative ADHD medications as patients and prescribers look for substitutes. Lisdexamfetamine (the generic version of Vyvanse) is also experiencing supply problems. Mylan has its 20 mg capsules on back order with no estimated date. Solco has placed all its lisdexamfetamine capsules on allocation, meaning pharmacies can only order limited quantities, and cites issues with the active ingredient. Teva’s 70 mg capsules are in limited supply.
Brand-name Vyvanse from Takeda is listed as available, and a couple of generic makers (Rhodes, Sun Pharma) report having stock. But the pattern mirrors the Adderall situation: some sources available, others constrained, with no single manufacturer able to fully meet demand.
What Pharmacies Are Seeing
A February 2024 survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that 87% of independent pharmacies reported shortages of Adderall or its generics. That was actually a slight improvement from 94% in September 2023, but it still means the vast majority of community pharmacies were struggling to keep the medication on their shelves. The situation has continued in a similar pattern since then, with availability varying by region, pharmacy, and dosage strength.
If your pharmacy can’t fill your prescription, it’s worth calling around. Supply is uneven, so a pharmacy across town or a larger chain may have received a shipment from a different manufacturer. Some patients find success by asking their pharmacist to check which specific generic manufacturer has stock and requesting that version.
Options if You Can’t Fill Your Prescription
The CDC issued a health advisory acknowledging that disrupted access to stimulant medications poses real risks, including the possibility that patients may seek medication outside the regulated healthcare system. Their guidance to clinicians emphasizes working with patients to find alternatives quickly rather than leaving prescriptions unfilled.
If your usual medication is unavailable, your prescriber can switch you to a different formulation (extended-release instead of immediate-release, for example), a different manufacturer’s version, or a different ADHD medication altogether. Some patients are moved to methylphenidate-based options, which operate through a slightly different mechanism and are produced under separate supply chains. Non-stimulant ADHD medications also exist, though they typically take longer to reach full effectiveness.
Splitting or stretching doses on your own is not a safe workaround. If you’re running low and can’t get a refill, contact your prescriber’s office rather than rationing what you have left. Abruptly stopping stimulant medication can cause fatigue, mood changes, and a return of ADHD symptoms that may be more disruptive than the baseline you experienced before starting treatment.