Supply of common ADHD drug Vyvanse expected to return to ‘normal’

Australians with ADHD who have been struggling to fill their scripts for one of the most commonly prescribed medications have been given an update after the drug has been in short supply for months.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) medication has been in short supply in Australia since last year. Picture: Getty Images

All strengths of one of the most commonly prescribed ADHD drugs are expected to be back to “normal supply” by next week.

Different strengths of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesilate) have been in short supply in Australia since last year, with Takeda Pharmaceuticals Australia, the company that produces the drug saying it was a worldwide shortage caused by “manufacturing delays”.

But the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed in a statement that 20mg, 30mg, 50mg and 70mg strengths of Vyvanse have returned to normal supply, with the 60mg and 40mg strengths expected to return to normal supply by April 30.

Supplies of Vyvanse are expected to be back to “normal” by next week. Picture: Getty Images

“Takeda has advised that the shortages have been caused by manufacturing delays compounded by increased demand and while they are expecting some deliveries of the strengths of Vyvanse that are in shortage during this period, these are not expected to satisfy all demand,” said the TGA.

“Vyvanse is used to treat serious conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge eating disorder (BED). We understand the difficulties shortages of this medicine will cause, and we are responding to this issue as a priority.”

More information about the shortage can be found here.

While this is good news for Australians who have been unable to access their ADHD medication for months, other patients who use the dispersible antidepressant Zactin Tabs (fluoxetine 20 mg dispersible tablets) have a longer wait for stock to return.

There have been issues with supplies of prescription medication in Australia, including antidepressant Zactin Tabs and Vyvanse.

The TGA has advised the shortage has been extended to June 30. Pharmaceutical company Alphapharm has told the regulator the shortage is due to manufacturing issues.

To help manage this shortage, which also began last year, the TGA temporarily approved the supply of two overseas fluoxetine 10mg capsule products for patients taking a dose of less than 20mg or a dose that cannot be made up using multiples of 20mg.

The TGA also formed a Medicine Shortage Action Group (MSAG) made up of clinical experts in psychiatry, general practice and pharmacy to consider the effects of the shortage of Zactin Tabs on patients, prescribers and pharmacists. Its advice is available here.

As of April 21 there were 416 medicines in shortage in Australia, according to the TGA’s Medicine shortage reports database. Among them are various strengths of Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide), all self-injectable medications used to treat type 2 diabetes but also used off label for weight loss; and a number of antibiotics.

More information is available here.

Originally published as Supply of common ADHD drug Vyvanse expected to return to ‘normal’