ADHD meds shortage help! Methylphenidate

[Belshels]

Hi there, it's an absolute nightmare trying to get hold of any of the brands of Methylphenidate.

DD is 16 and been on them for a year, and it's helped her so much. (MH, self esteem, focus, socially). She was having counseling for a
serious SA, and has been able to finish this as she is so much improved and together.

But now we can't get hold of any of the brands, for love nor money.

She is so worried at having to go without, especially as she's away on a 2 week residential, where they are creating a piece of theatre, so she needs to be super switched on.
Any advice anyone?? Ty

https://www.boots.com/online/psc/

Try looking on here. No guarantee but may give u an idea of local boots pharmacy to phone

@Belshels
I know your pain
We are on 36mg and cannot get hold of it.
I am told capsules rather than tablets are available but this would mean a change in prescription as capsules come in 10 and 20mg and tablets start at 18mg.
Might be worth speaking to your GP and asking for an alternative
Slow release is hard to get but I think not so much of an issue with immediate release.
I assume your GP gives a generic methylphenidate prescription rather than a specific brand?
This helps with the hunt as previously GP refused to do this but now they have no choice.

Doing our head in too.

The shortage was meant to be over by now. Dd has been switched to Elvanse, but it’s not as good

Thanks so much for that link Soberfutures! So helpful xx

Thank you for the replies. Xx
Yes trying to speak to GP, but they won't prescribe an alternative drug without an appointment with a psychiatrist! I cannot pay for private again it was so expensive before.
The GP did give us a prescription for 2 x 18mg instead last month, and yes they are all generic now so she gets whatever available. Originally it was Xaggitin but also recently had Concerta and Zenidate . Got to wait until Monday now to see if this IT issue has been fixed, as not issuing any prescriptions atm.

I'm not sure if GP would change the prescription to the capsules as don't think they are modified release, also as you say, the doses are different. Worth asking though. Thank you xx

Have any of you managed to get hold of any yet?
We still haven’t - have prescription for generic so can order from anywhere but haven’t found any anywhere yet

We’ve resorted to short release methylphenidate. Elvamse was just an awful experience.

I can’t get hold of any XR im our city

We still can't get a hold of any for my 17 y/o DD - GP has changed her prescription to 2 x 27mg per day generic, as originally 54mg was the hardest to source here. Now I cant get anything at all. She kind of coped ok over the summer but now she is back in Y13 she's really struggling and i'm so worried its going to impact her MH as well as A Level result.

Have any of you been able to source anything, anywhere or have news on when supplies might start coming through again. 🙏

TIA x

In same boat in west Scotland still. Son saw comm.mental health team prescribing pharmasict today and was told he can get a prescription of the short release methylphenidate and take 3 a day needs blood pressure checked again though before they will.issue prescription will then see if we can get hold of them.He hasn't had his main prescription since end June and I can really see the difference.no further unfo from pharmacies when they get back to normal supplies.

Thank you for replying - it’s such a nightmare!

Hello again, I have had quite a bit of luck with online pharmacist Pharmazon. They usually have one or two of the XR strengths, and if not immediately they can order some in within 3-4 days.
We do keep having to ask GP for different generic prescriptions depending on which strength they are currently able to get hold of (eg 36 XL one month, but then 18 XL x 2 (ie. twice a day, which is equivalent) but I ring apharmazon in advance and they tell me what to request from GP.
Good luck 🤞🏼