If you’ve spent the last three years calling fourteen different pharmacies every month just to find a single bottle of generic amphetamine salts, you aren’t alone. It’s exhausting. You’ve probably heard every excuse in the book—manufacturing delays, labor shortages, or the DEA “hating” ADHD patients. But the real answer to when will adderall shortage end is more complicated than a single calendar date.
Honestly, it's a mess.
As of January 2026, we are finally seeing some movement, but it isn’t the "all-clear" everyone was hoping for back in 2022. The FDA still lists mixed amphetamine salts on its official shortage database. While some dosages of brand-name Adderall XR are easier to find than they were a year ago, generic immediate-release (IR) tablets remain hit-or-miss depending on your zip code.
The DEA’s 2026 Quota Shift: A Small Win
For a long time, the DEA was the "bad guy" in this narrative. They set the Aggregate Production Quotas (APQ)—basically a ceiling on how much of a controlled substance can be made. For years, they kept those limits flat despite a massive spike in adult ADHD diagnoses.
Something changed this month.
On January 5, 2026, the DEA’s final production order for the year went into effect. After getting slammed with over 5,000 public comments from angry patients and doctors, they actually blinked. They raised the quota for $d,l-amphetamine$ (the stuff in Adderall) by about 14%. They also boosted the ceiling for Vyvanse ($lisdexamfetamine$) by a whopping 22%.
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This is huge.
More raw material means more pills can legally exist. But here’s the catch: just because the DEA says companies can make more doesn't mean they will immediately. It takes months for that raw chemical to turn into a bottle on a CVS shelf.
Why the "End" Keeps Moving
You might be wondering why we’re still talking about this four years after the shortage started. It's a "perfect storm" situation.
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- The Ascent Lab Shutdown: Back in early 2023, the DEA pulled the plug on Ascent Pharmaceuticals due to record-keeping issues. They made about 12% of the nation's generic Adderall. You don't just replace 12% of the supply chain overnight.
- The Telehealth Explosion: During the pandemic, rules were relaxed so people could get meds via video calls. This was a lifeline for many, but it also led to a massive surge in demand that the rigid manufacturing system wasn't built to handle.
- The 2026 Telehealth Extension: On January 2, 2026, the HHS and DEA extended those telehealth flexibilities for another full year. While great for access, it means demand isn't going to drop anytime soon.
When Will Adderall Shortage End for You?
If you're looking for a "back to normal" date, most industry experts are eyeing late 2026 as the point where supply finally catches up with the current demand curve.
But it's localized.
One person in Chicago might find their 20mg IR script filled in an hour, while someone in rural Georgia is told it's a three-week wait. The "end" of the shortage isn't a single event; it's a slow fading of the chaos.
We are currently in the "stabilization phase." The massive "one billion dose shortfall" reported in previous years is narrowing. Manufacturers like Teva and Sandoz have reported that their internal labor issues are mostly resolved, but they are still playing catch-up with backorders that stretch back months.
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The Isomer Confusion
There’s also a weird rumor going around that "new" Adderall doesn't work as well because the DEA changed the "formula."
That’s basically a myth.
The DEA clarified in their 2026 order that they don't force a specific 1:1 ratio of isomers. They provide the ingredients, and the manufacturers follow the FDA-approved recipe (which for Adderall is a specific 3:1 ratio of $d$-amphetamine to $l$-amphetamine salts). If your meds feel "different," it’s more likely a quality control issue with a specific generic manufacturer rather than a government conspiracy.
Survival Steps for 2026
Waiting for the shortage to end isn't a strategy. You need to be proactive while the supply chain finishes its recovery.
- Try Grocery Store Pharmacies: Everyone goes to CVS or Walgreens. Honestly, try the pharmacy inside a Kroger, Publix, or Wegmans. They often use different distributors and might have stock when the big chains are dry.
- The "Transfer" Rule: The DEA now allows a one-time electronic prescription transfer between pharmacies for controlled substances. If your usual spot is out, ask your pharmacist to check other branches and move the script for you. You don't always have to call your doctor for a new one anymore.
- Discuss "Authorized Generics": These are generics made by the brand-name manufacturer. They are often more expensive but sometimes have better availability because they aren't tied to the same cut-rate generic contracts.
- Check the FDA Database: Don't just take the pharmacist's word for it. The FDA Drug Shortages website is updated frequently. If it says a specific manufacturer has "Available" status, but your pharmacy says they can't get it, it might be an issue with that pharmacy's specific supplier.
The light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible. With the 2026 quota increases and the stabilization of the supply chain, the constant "out of stock" notifications should become the exception rather than the rule by the end of this year. Hang in there.
Next Steps for Patients: If you are still struggling to find your dosage, check the 2026 DEA APQ final order to see if your specific medication (like $methylphenidate$ or $amphetamine$) received a quota boost. Contact your physician to discuss "therapeutic equivalents" if your primary brand remains unavailable, as the 22% increase in Vyvanse production may make it a more reliable alternative throughout 2026.