Nationwide shortage of ADHD medication Vyvanse 30mg
A young woman with ADHD has been forced to reduce the dosage of her medication amid a worrying nationwide shortage of a widely-prescribed drug.
Taking to TikTok, Kate Ritchie, from Brisbane, explained she went to the chemist to pick up her regular medication when she learned they had run out of 30mg doses o Vyvanse, official name lisdexamfetamine dimesylate.
“Imagine this … you’re told there is a nationwide shortage of your medication and you need to go back to the doctor and ask for a script that has less milligrams in it, because that’s what happened to me today,” she said in her video, which has amassed more than 170,000 views.
Ms Ritchie, who runs a jewellery business with her two siblings, said the shortage means she needs to take 20mg of Vyvanse, rather than her usual 30mg dose.
“Me running around on 20mg is not ideal for the workplace,” she shared.
Others with ADHD were quick to share their own frustrations over supply issues with the drug.
“This is so wrong and bulls***. They are messing with people’s mental health,” one person commented.
“Same girl same. I went a whole week unmedicated and it was hell,” said another.
“They don’t have any 20mg left I had to jump from 30 to 20 now to 40,” wrote another.
According to the Therapeutic Goods Admission, there has been a shortage of Vyvanse 30mg since early August due to “manufacturing issues”.
Its medicine shortage database notes there is currently limited availability, with supply to be impacted until December 31.
TGA also reported a shortage of Vyvanse 20mg capsules earlier this month, but that issue has since been resolved.
Associate Professor John Kramer, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’s interest group on ADHD, told Medical Republic the shortage was frustrating for patients.
“It’s difficult for an adult to present, fearing the diagnosis and then wait six, nine, 12 months to see a psychiatrist,” Professor Kramer told the publication.
“This is just adding more delay and more frustration to the whole process.”
As a solution to the shortage, he said it’s possible a higher 60mg capsule could be broken up and mixed with a quantity of water.
“A patient on 30mg would be given 5ml of the liquid, and the remainder stored in the fridge for the next day,” the publication states.
He’s also encouraging patients to “try to get slightly ahead” on their supply, adding there’s “usually there’s a three-week interval between repeats”.
Global shortage
The shortage of Vyvanse has been felt by patients around with the world, with the US also experiencing issues procurring the drug.
The shortage began after supply of the drug Adderall dropped in the country, which created a domino effect, contributing to a shortage in Vyvanse and other ADHD medications.
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In a statement to news.com.au, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Australia said the “demand for ADHD medicines has risen substantially in recent years and this has impacted worldwide demand”.
“Takeda will endeavour to provide regular updates on the availability of Vyvanse as information is available and will continue to work on resolving the shortage as priority.”
Ms Ritchie regularly shares about her life with ADHD on TikTok and launched a $1 million jewellery brand, Brass and Bone, from home with her siblings, who all experience mental health issues.
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