A provider briefing on the 2026 Lisdexamfetamine shortage: DEA quota updates, prescribing implications, alternative options, and tools for your practice.
The Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) shortage has been one of the most disruptive medication access challenges in recent years, and it continues to affect clinical practice heading into 2026. As a prescriber, you're likely fielding calls from patients who can't fill their prescriptions, adjusting treatment plans on the fly, and navigating a complex landscape of supply constraints, regulatory limits, and insurance barriers.
This briefing covers the current state of the shortage, its clinical implications, and practical strategies to support your patients.
Understanding the timeline helps contextualize the current situation:
The shortage creates several clinical considerations for providers:
Patients who have been stable on Lisdexamfetamine may face gaps in therapy when they can't fill their prescriptions. Abrupt discontinuation of stimulant medication doesn't cause dangerous withdrawal, but patients typically experience a return of ADHD or BED symptoms — which can affect work, school, relationships, and safety (particularly for patients whose ADHD affects driving or other high-stakes activities).
Not all strengths are equally affected. If your patient takes 60 mg or 70 mg daily, consider whether prescribing two lower-strength capsules (e.g., two 30 mg capsules for a 60 mg dose) might improve their chances of finding the medication in stock. This requires clear patient education to avoid dosing errors.
Lisdexamfetamine is available as both capsules (10-70 mg) and chewable tablets (10-60 mg). The chewable formulation is often less affected by shortages. Switching formulations may help patients maintain access without changing the medication itself.
Brand Vyvanse from Takeda remains generally available but costs $300-$400/month without insurance. For patients with adequate insurance coverage or financial means, prescribing brand-name Vyvanse may be a reliable option. For others, navigating generic availability requires patience and flexibility.
As of early 2026, the availability landscape looks like this:
Cost remains a significant barrier, particularly for uninsured or underinsured patients:
Patient assistance programs: Takeda's Help at Hand program (helpathandpap.com) may provide brand Vyvanse to uninsured patients who meet income criteria. NeedyMeds and RxAssist maintain updated directories of additional assistance programs.
For a patient-facing resource on saving money, you can direct patients to our guide on Lisdexamfetamine cost savings.
Medfinder offers pharmacy availability data that can help your team identify which pharmacies currently have Lisdexamfetamine in stock. This can be integrated into your workflow when writing prescriptions — check availability before sending the script to a specific pharmacy.
When Lisdexamfetamine is unavailable, common therapeutic alternatives include:
For a more detailed comparison, see our clinical guide on helping patients find Lisdexamfetamine.
If patients need to switch to an alternative that requires PA, document the shortage as the reason for the medication change. Most payers have streamlined PA processes for shortage-related switches, and citing the ASHP shortage listing can expedite approval.
The combination of DEA quota increases and expanded generic manufacturing capacity should gradually stabilize Lisdexamfetamine supply through 2026. However, the structural factors driving the shortage — rising ADHD diagnoses, controlled substance production limits, and complex supply chains — are unlikely to resolve overnight.
Providers can expect:
The Lisdexamfetamine shortage is a systems-level problem, but its impact is felt one patient at a time. Staying informed about the supply landscape, maintaining flexibility in prescribing, and leveraging tools like Medfinder can help you keep patients on effective treatment even during a challenging period.
For more provider-focused resources, see our guide on how to help patients find Lisdexamfetamine in stock and our provider's guide to helping patients save money on Lisdexamfetamine.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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