ADHD Medication Shortage 28th October 2024

Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets (various brands and strengths)

There are currently significant shortages of many of the brands and strengths of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets.

There are currently shortages of the brands and strengths listed below, but this list is changing on a weekly basis.

• Xenidate XL 18mg tablets
• Xenidate XL 27mg tablets
• Xenidate XL 36mg tablets
• Xenidate XL 54mg tablets
• Xaggitin XL 18mg tablets
• Xaggitin XL 27mg tablets
• Xaggitin XL 36mg tablets
• Xaggitin XL 54mg tablets
• Delmosart 18mg modified-release tablets
• Delmosart 27mg modified-release tablets
• Delmosart 36mg modified-release tablets
• Delmosart 54mg modified-release tablets
• Affenid XL 18mg tablets
• Concerta XL 36mg tablets
• Concerta XL 54mg tablets
• Matoride XL 36mg tablets

This issue affects the whole of the UK, not just Scotland, and thousands of children, young people and adults are being affected by this.

What are health services doing? 

Mental health services, general practice and community pharmacies will be working hard to make reasonable adjustments for each patient during this difficult time. Where possible health care teams will continue to try to provide your current prescriptions, or a suitable alternative.

Staff in community pharmacies, GP Surgeries and specialist services (CAMHS, CCH, Adult Mental Health) are receiving many calls per day from families who may be very anxious or angry regarding this issue. Please be patient with our staff as they try to return all calls made and offer advice as they are able. We would reiterate it is not the fault of health care staff that this issue has arisen, nor do they have any control over it.   

Mental health staff, GPs and pharmacy staff cannot guarantee supplies of these medications, and for many there may unfortunately be no suitable alternative. 

Where a lower strength of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet than that prescribed for you or your child can be sourced, these should not be ‘doubled up’ to provide the usual prescribed dose. Such action may exacerbate the shortage. Instead, a lower dose of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet may be prescribed for the duration of the supply issues - this will still have some clinical benefit, though not the same as taking your usual maintenance dose  .

Your GP Surgery may also ask for advice from the specialist service regarding a suitable alternative for you or your child during this time. It should be noted that switching every person’s medication to an alternative product may lead to wider supply issues for all, as it spreads out the problem. In addition, it is neither safe nor practical to change everyone’s medication on a frequent basis.

We do understand that ADHD can be a serious and impairing condition and that ADHD medication can often form a vital lifeline for patients and their families. We appreciate that this is a trying and a stressful time with medications intermittently coming in and out of stock. Staff in CAMHS teams, GPs, pharmacies and wider NHS services do not have any control over this but will endeavour to provide more families with more specific information as we hear of updates.   

What can you do?   

If you or your child are prescribed methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets (e.g. Xaggitin XL, Xenidate XL, Concerta XL) and are unable to obtain your usual prescription from your usual pharmacy :

• Ask your community pharmacy/GP Surgery if a different brand of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablet can be sourced
• Please try an alternative pharmacy. It can be helpful to phone around and ask about stock in advance of trying to collect your prescription.  
• Large chain pharmacies (such as Asda or Boots) have limited suppliers that they can order from however smaller, independent pharmacies may have more flexibility to source medications from different suppliers so it is definitely worth calling around.   
• Reduce the number of days you take your medication to only essential days where possible (for example on school days only)  
• If you take more than 1 tablet at one time, consider reducing to 1 tablet each day - this will still have some clinical benefit, though not the same as taking your usual maintenance dose   

Non Medication Strategies:  

There are a range of interventions to help with the symptoms of ADHD which are not medication dependant that can be put in place at home and at school. Speak to your or your child’s teachers, health and/ or social care team if you need support with exploring these options.   

www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources  

www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/resources  

www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/adhd/  

Once again, we are sorry that this news will cause some degree of uncertainty and distress. Please be aware that we will do what we can to try and minimise this disruption for all the young people we are working with.