Struggling to find Zenzedi in 2026? Learn why this ADHD medication is hard to find, what's causing the shortage, and how to locate it near you.
If you've been searching for Zenzedi at your local pharmacy only to hear "we don't have it in stock," you're not alone. Zenzedi (dextroamphetamine sulfate) has become one of the hardest ADHD medications to find in the United States, and the situation in 2026 is still frustrating for many patients. Between ongoing stimulant shortages, DEA manufacturing limits, and the fact that Zenzedi is a less commonly stocked brand, finding a pharmacy with it on the shelf can feel nearly impossible.
In this article, we'll break down exactly why Zenzedi is so hard to find, what's behind the shortage, and what you can do right now to get your prescription filled.
Zenzedi is the brand name for dextroamphetamine sulfate, an immediate-release stimulant medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and is subject to strict manufacturing and prescribing regulations.
Zenzedi is manufactured by Azurity Pharmaceuticals (formerly Arbor Pharmaceuticals) and comes in immediate-release tablets ranging from 2.5 mg to 30 mg. Unlike Adderall, which contains a mix of amphetamine salts, Zenzedi contains only the dextro-isomer of amphetamine — the more active form for boosting dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Because it is a pure dextroamphetamine product, some patients and prescribers prefer Zenzedi for its specific pharmacological profile. However, this also makes it a niche medication with more limited availability compared to widely prescribed stimulants like Adderall or Vyvanse.
There isn't a single reason Zenzedi is hard to find — it's a combination of factors that have created a perfect storm for this medication. Here are the main reasons:
The United States has been experiencing a widespread shortage of ADHD stimulant medications since 2022. This shortage has affected nearly every amphetamine-based product on the market, including Adderall, Vyvanse, and generic dextroamphetamine. While the situation has improved somewhat since the worst periods of 2023, supply still hasn't caught up with demand in early 2026.
Because Zenzedi is a less popular brand-name product — as noted by GoodRx — it sits lower on the priority list when manufacturers and wholesalers allocate limited supply.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, the amount of dextroamphetamine that can be manufactured each year in the U.S. is capped by DEA production quotas. These quotas are meant to prevent diversion and abuse, but they also create a hard ceiling on supply — even when patient demand is high.
In October 2025, the DEA raised amphetamine production quotas by approximately 25%. This was a significant step, but manufacturing takes time to ramp up. New raw materials need to be sourced, production lines need to be scheduled, and finished products need to pass quality checks before reaching pharmacy shelves. In early 2026, patients are still feeling the lag.
Most chain pharmacies stock the most commonly prescribed stimulants: generic Adderall, Vyvanse, and methylphenidate products. Zenzedi, as a brand-name dextroamphetamine product with a smaller patient base, often isn't stocked at all — especially at large chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.
Even pharmacies that carry generic dextroamphetamine may not carry the Zenzedi brand specifically. This means patients prescribed Zenzedi may need to call multiple pharmacies or search across a wider geographic area to find it.
In 2024, Azurity Pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall of certain Zenzedi lots due to a manufacturing issue. While the recall was precautionary and not related to contamination or patient harm, it temporarily reduced the available supply of Zenzedi even further — at a time when the market was already tight.
The effects of this recall rippled through the supply chain, and some pharmacies and wholesalers became more cautious about stocking Zenzedi afterward.
If your pharmacy keeps telling you they're out of Zenzedi, here are some practical steps you can take right now:
Medfinder is a free tool that helps you find pharmacies with your medication in stock — without having to call around yourself. Simply enter Zenzedi into the search bar, and Medfinder's dedicated support team will check real-time availability at pharmacies near you. It's the fastest way to locate hard-to-find medications like Zenzedi.
Independent pharmacies often have access to different wholesalers than the big chain stores, giving them more flexibility in sourcing niche medications. If your local CVS or Walgreens doesn't carry Zenzedi, a smaller independent pharmacy in your area may be able to order it for you — sometimes within a few days.
If you do need to call pharmacies directly, try calling on Saturday mornings or after the lunch rush on weekdays. Pharmacy staff are more likely to have time to check their inventory and help you locate the medication when they're not overwhelmed with customers.
If you've been unable to find Zenzedi for an extended period, talk to your prescriber about temporary alternatives. Generic dextroamphetamine sulfate has the same active ingredient and may be easier to find. Other options include Adderall, Vyvanse, or methylphenidate-based medications.
Zenzedi is hard to find in 2026 because of a combination of ongoing stimulant shortages, DEA production limits, limited pharmacy stocking, and the aftereffects of a 2024 manufacturer recall. These factors hit niche brand-name products like Zenzedi harder than more common medications.
The good news is that there are tools available to help. Medfinder can check pharmacy availability for you, independent pharmacies may have access to supply that chains don't, and your prescriber can help you explore alternatives if needed.
For more information, check out our other guides:
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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