If you're like the millions of other Americans who take ADHD stimulant medication like Ritalin, chances are you have struggled to find a pharmacy with it in stock. This can be very stressful, as it’s a short-term acting medication and requires regular use to see the best results. Read on to learn what you can do.
You may have commonly heard that it’s best to start calling pharmacies in your area. But there are a few more solutions. Here are a few more tips and tricks to find Ritalin nearby.
Platforms like Medfinder make it easy to search your area for pharmacies that have your medications in stock. All you have to do is enter the medication you're looking for - like Ritalin 20mg - and Medfinder will check all the pharmacies near you to find the closest one that can fill your prescription today.
2. Check independent, hyper-local pharmacies
Oftentimes, the big chains are more likely to be out of stock of medications like Ritalin. Independent pharmacies are a great place to start if you're doing the work of calling stores one by one. Independent pharmacies are often easier to work with in terms of courtesy and how they explain their restocking frequency compared to bigger stores, which is why some patients prefer them over big chains.
One of the most time-consuming parts of finding your medication is sitting on hold with the pharmacies. Instead of calling during peak hours (right after work or right when they open), we recommend trying pharmacies on Saturday mornings or slower times during weekdays, avoiding the after-work or lunchtime rush.
Pro tip - When trying to locate hard-to-find medications, speak with your healthcare provider about the steps they’ll need you to take to ensure they can send over the script to the pharmacy as soon as you locate one with your medication in stock.
If you've tried everything and still can't manage to find Ritalin in stock, it may make sense to talk to your doctor about other options. As Ritalin is a short-acting methylphenidate, alternatives like Focalin (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) and Methylin oral solution (methylphenidate hydrochloride liquid) might be less challenging to find and should be equally effective. Ultimately, choosing a medication that suits your lifestyle and concerns is more important.
Always consult with your healthcare provider about making changes to your medication routine and whether alternatives will be better than waiting for stock to come in for Ritalin if that’s what you are currently taking.
For the full guide on Ritalin alternatives, click here!
Finding your medication doesn't have to be so stressful. Just remember the top 3 tips to finding Ritalin in stock near you:
With tools like Medfinder and a better understanding of how the pharmacy system works, you can cut down on stress and phone calls and stay on track with your treatment.
1. Cutler, Andrew J. and Mattingly, Gregory W., "Beyond the pill: New medication delivery options for ADHD." CNS Spectrums. 22, 6. 463-474. (2017). https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/open_access_pubs/6471
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