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Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD

Published Last updated See all updates
Topics: AtomoxetineDexamfetamineGuanfacine · LisdexamfetamineMental health and illnessMethylphenidatePrescribingSupply ·

The availability of medicines used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) varies currently. Supply content is maintained regularly by DHSC.

This article forms part of a series
  1. Continuing management of the ADHD medicines shortage
    1. Supporting system response to the ADHD medicine shortage
    2. Considerations when prescribing guanfacine
    3. Considerations when prescribing modified-release methylphenidate
    4. Prescribing available medicines to treat ADHD
Non-SPS content · This content has not been generated nor formally reviewed by SPS

Non-SPS content is present where SPS believes that the content supports our end-users’ work, and is credible and trusted. Non-SPS content is posted in collaboration with the non-SPS author; however, it has not been generated nor formally reviewed by SPS

Contents
  1. Prescribing advice
  2. About our stock information
  3. Atomoxetine products
    1. In stock
    2. Affected
  4. Dexamfetamine tablets
    1. In stock
  5. Guanfacine modified-release tablets
    1. In stock
    2. Affected
  6. Lisdexamfetamine capsules
    1. In stock
  7. Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets
    1. In stock
  8. Methylphenidate hydrochloride modified release tablets
    1. In stock
    2. Affected
    3. Bioequivalence
  9. Methylphenidate modified-release capsules
    1. In stock
    2. Affected
    3. Bioequivalence
  10. Further advice
  11. Update history

Prescribing advice

A National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) on the shortage of methylphenidate prolonged-release capsules and tablets, lisdexamfetamine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets was issued on 27 September 2023.

A Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) was issued for the shortage of lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) capsules on 13 February 2024.

An MSN was also issued for the shortage of guanfacine (Intuniv) prolonged-release tablets on 28 March 2024.

The MSNs supersede the National Patient Safety Alert issued on 27 September 2023.

Prescribing advice is available from the following key resources listed in the NatPSA:

About our stock information

SPS is not a stock holding organisation. This page is maintained by the Medicines Supply Team at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and reflects the national supply situation. Stock availability may be subject to local variation and SPS is unable to handle any questions relating to availability.

Atomoxetine products

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Atomoxetine 10mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 18mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 25mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 40mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 60mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 80mg capsules
  • Atomoxetine 100mg capsules

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

  • Atomoxetine (Strattera) 4mg/1ml oral solution

Shortage of Atomoxetine (Strattera) 4mg/1ml oral solution contains further details.

Dexamfetamine tablets

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Dexamfetamine 5mg tablets (generic)
  • Amfexa 5mg tablets
  • Amfexa 10mg tablets
  • Amfexa 20mg tablets

Guanfacine modified-release tablets

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Intuniv 1mg modified-release tablets
  • Intuniv 2mg modified-release tablets

Affected

  • Intuniv 3mg modified-release tablets
  • Intuniv 4mg modified-release tablets

Shortage of Guanfacine (Intuniv) prolonged-release tablets contains further information.

Lisdexamfetamine capsules

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Elvanse 20mg capsules
  • Elvanse 30mg capsules
  • Elvanse 40mg capsules
  • Elvanse 50mg capsules
  • Elvanse 60mg capsules
  • Elvanse 70mg capsules
  • Elvanse Adult 30mg capsules
  • Elvanse Adult 50mg capsules
  • Elvanse Adult 70mg capsules

Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Medikinet 5mg tablets
  • Medikinet 10mg tablets
  • Medikinet 20mg tablets
  • Methylphenidate hydrochloride 5mg tablets
  • Methylphenidate hydrochloride 10mg tablets
  • Methylphenidate hydrochloride 20mg tablets
  • Ritalin 10mg tablets
  • Tranquilyn 5mg tablets
  • Tranquilyn 10mg tablets
  • Tranquilyn 20mg tablets

Methylphenidate hydrochloride modified release tablets

In stock

The following are currently available:

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

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

  • Concerta XL 18mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Concerta XL 36mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Concerta XL 54mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Delmosart 18mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Delmosart 36mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Xaggitin XL 27mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Xaggitin XL 54mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Xenidate XL 18mg prolonged-release tablets
  • Xenidate XL 27mg prolonged-release tablet

Shortage of Methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets contains further information.

Bioequivalence

The following brands of methylphenidate modified-release tablets are bioequivalent to each other:

  • Concerta XL
  • Affenid XL
  • Delmosart
  • Matoride XL
  • Xaggitin XL
  • Xenidate XL

Considerations when prescribing modified-release methylphenidate contains a summary of the pharmacokinetic profiles for methylphenidate brands currently licensed in the UK. This can be used to support product selection.

Methylphenidate modified-release capsules

In stock

The following are currently available:

  • Equasym XL 30mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 5mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 10mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 20mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 30mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 40mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 50mg capsules
  • Medikinet XL 60mg capsules
  • Meflynate XL 10mg hard capsules
  • Meflynate XL 20mg hard capsules
  • Meflynate XL 30mg hard capsules
  • Meflynate XL 40mg hard capsules
  • Meflynate XL 60mg hard capsules
  • Metyrol XL 10mg capsules
  • Metyrol XL 20mg capsules
  • Metyrol XL 30mg capsules
  • Metyrol XL 40mg capsules
  • Metyrol XL 60mg capsules

Affected

The following active supply issues exist:

  • Equasym XL 10mg capsules
  • Equasym XL 20mg capsules

Shortage of Methylphenidate (Equasym XL) modified release capsules contains further information.

Bioequivalence

The following brands of methylphenidate modified-release capsules are bioequivalent to each other:

  • Meflynate XL
  • Metyrol XL

Considerations when prescribing modified-release methylphenidate contains a summary of the pharmacokinetic profiles for methylphenidate brands currently licensed in the UK. This can be used to support product selection.

Further advice

Medicines Supply Tool

Latest information on supply issues, actions to take, alternatives to use, and expected resolution dates. Content provided by DHSC and CMU.

Update history

  1. Xaggitin XL 36mg prolonged-release tablets are back in stock.
  1. Updates to prescribing advice section, and availability of lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate MR tablets.
  1. Updated availability for methylphenidate MR tablets and guanfacine MR tablets.
  1. Equasym XL 30mg capsules are back in stock.
  1. Elvanse 40mg capsules are out of stock.
  1. Elvanse Adult 30mg capsules are back in stock.
  1. Updated availability for lisdexamfetamine capsules and methylphenidate MR capsules and atomoxetine oral solution.
  1. Equasym XL 10mg and 30mg capsules are out of stock.
  1. Elvanse 30mg capsules are back in stock.
  1. Equasym XL 30mg capsules are back in stock; Concerta XL tablets 18mg, 36mg and 54mg are affected.
  1. Elvanse 20mg capsules are back in stock.
  1. Updated availability for lisdexamfetamine capsules and methylphenidate MR tablets.
  1. Various changes for availability for lisdexamfetamine capsules, methylphenidate MR tablets and methylphenidate MR capsules.
  1. Amfexa 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets are back in stock; link to atomoxetine shortage removed as supply issue has resolved.
  1. Various changes for availability for lisdexamfetamine capsules, methylphenidate MR capsules, guanfacine MR tablets, dexamfetamine tablets, and atomoxetine.
  1. Intuniv modified-release tablets 1mg, 2mg and 4mg are now available; Elvanse 40mg capsules are now available; Affenid XL 27mg prolonged release tablets are now available; Equasym XL 20mg capsules are out of stock.
  1. Shortage of atomoxetine 25mg capsules is resolved. New product Meflynate XL 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg and 60mg hard capules are available; bioequivalence information added.
  1. Clarification added that SPS unable to handle questions related to availability.
  2. Back in stock: Elvanse 60mg capsules. Out of stock: Elvanse Adult 30mg, 50mg and 70mg capsules; Equasym XL 10mg and 30mg capsules; Affenid XL 27mg tablets, Xaggitin XL 36mg tablets and Xenidate XL 18mg tablets.
  1. Clarification added that SPS do not hold stock of medicines.
  1. Intuniv modified-release tablets 1mg, 2mg and 3mg are now out of stock.
  1. Elvanse 20mg capsules and 60mg capsules are out of stock.
  1. Information on bioequivalence for methylphenidate modified release tablets added.
  1. Elvanse 20mg, Elvanse 50mg and Elvanse Adult 30mg are back in stock.
  1. Atomoxetine 60mg capsules are back in stock.
  1. Equasym XL 30mg capsules are back in stock and are available via wholesalers.
  1. Atomoxetine (Strattera) 4mg/1ml oral solution is back in stock but unable to support an uplift in demand.
  1. The following are available from w/c 16 October 2023: Elvanse 60mg, Adult 50 mg and Adult 70mg capsules; Equasym XL 10mg and XL 20mg capsules.
  1. Xaggitin XL 18mg prolonged-release tablets are now out of stock; Atomoxetine availability updated.
  1. Medikinet XL 50mg capsules and Medikinet XL 60mg capsules have been added as currently available.
  1. Elvanse 30mg capsules and 40mg capsules are now out of stock.
  1. Shortage of Strattera 4mg/1mL oral solution (Eli Lilly and Company Ltd) added.
  1. Concerta XL 54mg prolonged-release tablets are back in stock.
  1. Published