Tips for people with ADHD on handling the national stimulant shortage
Not having access (or limited access) to medication that you are prescribed to manage ADHD is so frustrating - so if you’re struggling, please know that you are seen. Here are some tips on handling the national stimulant shortage:
Call your local pharmacy daily (or as often as you’re able) to see if they have your medication in stock. Below are shortcuts for three major pharmacies:
CVS: Say “pharmacy” → Press 7 → transferred to pharmacist
Walgreens: Say “pharmacy” → Say “help me with something else” → transferred to pharmacist
Riteaid: Press 3 → transferred to pharmacist
*Please note that all three of these pharmacies are closed daily from 1:30-2pm
for their lunch break.
What to say:
“Hi, I’m _____ and calling about my _____ prescription. I’m wondering if you have it in stock.”
If they do have it in stock: drop off your paper prescription immediately OR if you live in a state where your provider has to call it in, call your provider ASAP to have it sent to that pharmacy. Let your provider know that it’s time-sensitive!
If they don’t have it in stock:
Ask if they know when the next shipment is coming. See if you can get your name on a list to get your prescription filled as soon as the next shipment arrives.
Call other pharmacies near you to see if they have your medication in stock. If they do, refer to the above bullet regarding dropping off your paper prescription/contacting your provider to have them send it directly.
Contact your pharmacy to have your prescription refilled a few days before you’ll need it, to account for any delays in filling it.
Consult your provider and see if they recommend changing medications, especially if your pharmacy typically has another ADHD medication in stock.
Work with a therapist on executive functioning skills. This is helpful to manage ADHD in general, but this includes things like making to do lists to keep track of tasks, breaking larger tasks into smaller parts, setting alarms, phone reminders, etc.
Let the people close to you know that you’re struggling! There is often shame attached to ADHD symptoms, and letting the people close to you know that your symptoms may be worse for a little while may help lessen some of this shame for you.