Home > ADHD Stimulant Shortage > Ritalin
By Ryan S. Sultan, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Data updated:
Quick Answer: Is There a Ritalin Shortage?Not as of October 8, 2026. The FDA Drug Shortages Database has no current shortage listing for immediate-release methylphenidate tablets (Ritalin). It does list extended-release methylphenidate tablets (Concerta, Relexxii and generics), with 6 of 34 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 immediate-release methylphenidate tablets (Ritalin) 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 Ritalin LA label gives the conversion from twice-daily Ritalin: 5 mg twice daily to 10 mg once daily, 10 mg to 20 mg, 15 mg to 30 mg, 20 mg to 40 mg and 30 mg to 60 mg. The Concerta label gives its own table, summarized in the Concerta and Ritalin conversion section.
Source: Ritalin LA 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 a Ritalin shortage right now?
Not as of October 8, 2026. The FDA Drug Shortages Database has no current shortage listing for immediate-release methylphenidate tablets (Ritalin). It does list extended-release methylphenidate tablets (Concerta, Relexxii and generics), with 6 of 34 listings unavailable and 9 limited.
What can I take if Ritalin is unavailable?
The Ritalin LA label gives the conversion from twice-daily Ritalin: 5 mg twice daily to 10 mg once daily, 10 mg to 20 mg, 15 mg to 30 mg, 20 mg to 40 mg and 30 mg to 60 mg. The Concerta label gives its own table, summarized in the Concerta and Ritalin conversion section. Any switch should be made with your prescriber.
Related
ADHD stimulant shortage: causes and strategy · Vyvanse · Adderall XR · Concerta · Focalin · Dexedrine · Concerta vs Ritalin · Non-stimulant options
Educational information only. Not medical advice. Do not change a dose or medication without your prescriber.