ADHD Medication Shortage UK: Current Status
ADHD medication shortages were a serious, recurring problem in the UK from late 2023. Here's the current status for the most commonly prescribed medications, checked against official DHSC supply notifications.
Current status by medication
Elvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
No active shortageSupply has been consistently available since improvements announced earlier in 2026, following shortages that affected the product throughout 2023–2024.
Concerta XL / methylphenidate (prolonged-release)
No active shortageThe Medicine Supply Notifications that affected methylphenidate prolonged-release products through 2023–2024 have resolved.
Equasym / Medikinet (methylphenidate, other formulations)
No active shortageNo current official notification, though availability of specific formulations can vary by pharmacy.
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
No active shortageNo active DHSC notification as of our last check.
Guanfacine (Intuniv)
Variable by strengthMajor supply issues were largely resolved in early 2026 and new-patient initiation restrictions lifted, but some specific strengths have seen tighter supply than others. Check with your pharmacy for your specific dose.
If your medication is unavailable
- Ask your regular pharmacy whether they can order it in, and by when.
- Check availability at other local pharmacies — stock can vary significantly between branches.
- Contact your prescriber about whether an alternative brand with the same active ingredient, or a different formulation, is appropriate for you.
- Don't stop taking stimulant medication abruptly without medical advice — speak to your prescriber first.
Frequently asked questions
Is there currently an ADHD medication shortage in the UK?
The severe, widespread shortages that affected Elvanse, Concerta XL and other methylphenidate products from late 2023 have largely resolved. As of our last check, there are no active official shortage notifications for Elvanse, methylphenidate or atomoxetine. Guanfacine (Intuniv) has some strength-specific supply variability. Always check with your pharmacy, since local and short-term fluctuations can still happen even when there’s no national shortage.
What should I do if my pharmacy doesn’t have my ADHD medication in stock?
Ask your pharmacy if they can order it, check with other local pharmacies, or ask your prescriber whether an alternative brand with the same active ingredient (or a different formulation) is appropriate. Don't stop taking stimulant medication abruptly without medical advice.
How often is this page updated?
We check this against DHSC's published Medicine Supply Notifications periodically, not continuously — see the "last checked" date at the top of the page. For real-time status, your pharmacist has access to more current supply information than any public source.
Related reading
→ ADHD medication UK guide — types, costs & what to expect
This page summarises publicly available DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications and is for informational purposes only — it is not medical advice and is not a substitute for checking directly with your pharmacy or prescriber. Status can change at short notice.
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