Home > ADHD Stimulant Shortage > Adderall XR
By Ryan S. Sultan, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Data updated:
Quick Answer: Is There an Adderall XR Shortage?Not as of October 8, 2026. The FDA Drug Shortages Database has no current shortage listing for mixed amphetamine salts extended-release capsules (Adderall XR). It does list immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts tablets (Adderall), with 19 of 73 listings unavailable and 9 limited. The full ADHD stimulant shortage picture | Schedule a consultation |
FDA status, October 2026
This page is generated from the FDA Drug Shortages Database and refreshed monthly. A listing is one package (NDC) a manufacturer reports; counts describe how many products are affected, not how much supply exists.
No package listing for mixed amphetamine salts extended-release capsules (Adderall XR) appears in the database this month. An unlisted product can still be hard to find at a particular pharmacy, because the database tracks national supply reported by manufacturers, not local stock.
Switching: what the label says
The Adderall XR label states that patients taking divided doses of immediate-release Adderall "may be switched to ADDERALL XR at the same total daily dose taken once daily." Going the other direction is a prescriber decision; it generally starts from the same total daily dose split across the day, then adjusts for coverage.
Source: Adderall XR prescribing information (DailyMed). The within-class substitution principles on the main shortage page cover switching more broadly.
If your pharmacy can't fill it
- Call before the prescription is sent. Ask whether the exact strength is in stock, and which manufacturer's product they carry.
- Ask about another strength combination. Two tablets or capsules of a lower strength can make the same dose when one strength is short. This needs a new prescription written that way.
- Ask about another form of the same medication before changing medications, using the label rule above.
- Bring your prescriber the specifics: the strength, what the pharmacy has, and when they expect resupply. The patient framework on the main shortage page goes through this in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Adderall XR shortage right now?
Not as of October 8, 2026. The FDA Drug Shortages Database has no current shortage listing for mixed amphetamine salts extended-release capsules (Adderall XR). It does list immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts tablets (Adderall), with 19 of 73 listings unavailable and 9 limited.
What can I take if Adderall XR is unavailable?
The Adderall XR label states that patients taking divided doses of immediate-release Adderall "may be switched to ADDERALL XR at the same total daily dose taken once daily." Going the other direction is a prescriber decision; it generally starts from the same total daily dose split across the day, then adjusts for coverage. Any switch should be made with your prescriber.
Related
ADHD stimulant shortage: causes and strategy · Vyvanse · Concerta · Ritalin · Focalin · Dexedrine · Concerta vs Ritalin · Non-stimulant options
Educational information only. Not medical advice. Do not change a dose or medication without your prescriber.