ADHD medication and Concerta XL shortages in the UK

[whoolawhoopsy]

Can anybody with some pharmaceutical or medical 'admin' knowledge please enlighten me how shortages are dealt with in this country? I have been running around many many circles trying to get Concerta XL for two months. My dose hasn't been available since April. I've been rationing my meds (taking them only on my working days). Eventually I found that some lower doses were available, first I managed to get 7 days' worth then, 15 days' worth and I'm running out again. Now, none is available, no branded, no generic, no different doses, nothing. Yet, every time I request a new prescription, my GP prescribes the same. There is no mention of drug shortages. When I see my psychiatrist, he checks the availability and it's all 'green'. There is no indication anywhere online that there is a shortage. There are no signs in pharmacy windows saying, sorry Concerta XL or methylphenidate is not available, don't bother queuing. Boots Pharmacy is the only one with an online stock checker. When I found one that had some in stock and travelled there, they said they didn't have any. When I showed them their own website, eventually they managed to find 'some'. If the shortage is this desperate, that there is no medication in the entire country, shouldn't GPs and the general public be notified about this? Does anybody here know what is actually happening and when is it likely to be resolved? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

No same experience here. Managed to get a month supply after 2 months with none. Have checked updates and seems to be stayed as resolving but that’s not what’s happening on the ground. It’s a real struggle

I had to get my GP to change my prescription from Concerta to the generic methylphenidate earlier this year because I couldn't get Concerta anywhere. And now this week I can't get methylphenidate anywhere either.

So I'm about to become unmedicated which is going to be bad news for me - and everyone I work with.

I wish I knew what on earth was going on. I find these med shortages so stressful. I went through this nightmare with HRT and now with Concerta.....argh!

Exactly, without medication I'm excruciatingly tired, barely able to leave the house let alone do my work, run a household + run up and down the country in search for a medication. If it's a nationwide issue, which by the looks of it is, then nationwide notifications and frequent updates would be very useful to keep everybody informed.

We are tearing our hair out here trying to keep my husband medicated. Chasing round looking for any methylphenidate and then trying to get prescriptions changed to match and hoping they are still in stock.
Currently we can't find any and I am deeply concerned about how my husband will cope. He can be extremely distressed and depressed when he's not medicated.

The fact there's no joined up communications on this is awful. So many people are incredibly stressed for themselves, their partners, children etc.

I feel your pain @StoneColdAlibi I'm only taking my meds on days when I have to go into my office (2-3 days/week) and the rest of the time I'm unmedicated. It's the only way to eke out my diminishing supply of meds as I haven't been able to get a prescription filled with any form of methylphenidate for the last 2 months. It's a nightmare! I spoke to Boots yesterday and they said they've not been given any indication of when stock might finally arrive.

I had to change the % I take as they can't get 18 or 36 but got me 27. I'm actually cutting it in half to ensure Ive at least some. I'm looking into other things that might help in case I run out like neutropics, lions mane, diet etc... it's a big worry for those who depend on it. I call my pharmacy and chat to the pharmacist about what's available before I put in my prescription as if they put in a prescription for 36 and there's not any available then they have to try for that. Go and have a chat with your pharmacist as they might be able to get something else, put that on order for you while you get the dr to do the prescription

I've been researching and found this article that's interesting..

Things that give you a natural "form"of methylphenidate are:
Transcendental meditation
Aerobic exercise
Omega fatty acids
Reduce your sugar intake
Slow drip caffeine Intake
Pycnogenol: French maritime pine bark extract
Monoamine amino acid precursors
Zinc, magnesium & b6 supplements
Dopamine fasting
Lifestyle changes

www.brainscape.com/academy/na

I have a prescription for methylphenidate XL 27 MG. I got the 36,mg I also need, but cannot for life of me get 27mg ,boots checker works then doesn't, so any clues what to try next?

Thanks to Brexit oven ready deal UK has probs getting medications right across the board

The ADHD meds shortage has nothing to do with Brexit. It's a global issue due to a combination of increased global demand and manufacturing constraints/issues.

Not entirely true. The shortage has eased across the US and Europe and we are the last country to be suffering the effects. When you have limited supply you will prioritise the easier country/ies to export to, which is what we are seeing here. So it may not have caused the primary issue but it is definitely delaying the resolution.

Hi, I go and speak to my local
Pharmacy & ask what he can get as I take 18 & 36. Sometimes he can get that other times it's a different mg, he tells me what he has or can get then I ask the Dr prescribe it. He will order it and keep it in stock for me. Get a good relationship with your chemist. I'm rationing myself in case he can't get any. Optimum for me is 27 & 19 but 27 is like gold dust.

I'm not sure what can be done. The situation doesn't seem to be improving where I am. My pharmacist saying they can't order any, other pharmacists saying they can't give me any info as I'm not their patient. After I wrote my last post I managed to get my 54mg 180 miles from my home (I travelled there for a different reason :)). I went to quite a few pharmacies and was told no methylphenidate was available at all, then Sunday morning popped into the Boots pharmacy I walked by (Boots stock checker still saying none was available), and the lady at the counter said 'Let me check it for you.' and surprise, surprise they had some. The following month my pharmacist went on holiday and the person covering that week found multiple boxes of 36mg sitting in the cabinet. By that time they've been holding my prescription for 2 weeks. True, it was for 2x27mg but no one gave me a call to let me know that there was some available.

Zero joy in my area

Medikinet ,available 27mg & 36mg.
But need to ask consultant of GP to change prescription.

Thankyou. I'll try that tomorrow