Shortage outlook · stimulants · read October 2026
How long has the Adderall shortage lasted, and what has the DEA done?
The FDA has listed the mixed amphetamine salts tablet as in shortage for 4 years, since November 2022. On 10 November 2026 the DEA raised its 2026 production quotas for d,l-amphetamine by 31 percent (to 31,654,915 grams), d-amphetamine (for sale) by 40 percent and methylphenidate (for sale) by 19 percent. These are two public records; this page does not say that one caused or ends the other.
| Quota, 2026 (grams) | Established | Adjusted 10 Nov | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| d,l-amphetamine | 24,234,443 | 31,654,915 | +31% |
| d-amphetamine (for sale) | 26,450,000 | 37,108,041 | +40% |
| Methylphenidate (for sale) | 58,283,000 | 69,502,651 | +19% |
Quota figures from the Federal Register order adjusting the 2026 quotas, signed 4 November 2026 and effective 10 November, and the DEA's aggregate production quota history. FDA list history rebuilt from monthly archived copies, read October 2026. Compiled by Vincent Wesley Couey (ORCID 0009-0005-6869-308X).
How long has each stimulant been on the FDA shortage list?
The stimulant medicines have been listed for between 39 and 48 months each; every listing is drawn to scale on one 2014 to now axis.
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall generics)
Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall generics) has been on the FDA shortage list for 4 years. It has been listed 2 times since 2014.
- Amphetamine Aspartate; Amphetamine Sulfate; Dextroamphetamine Saccharate; Dextroamphetamine...Listed October 2019 to May 2022 · 2 years and 8 months
- Amphetamine Aspartate Monohydrate, Amphetamine Sulfate, Dextroamphetamine Saccharate...Listed since November 2022 · 4 years
Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta generics)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta generics) has been on the FDA shortage list for 3 years and 3 months. It has been listed 7 times since 2014.
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (QUILLIVANT XR) for Extended-Release Oral SuspensionListed June 2014 to October 2014 · 5 months · already listed when the archive began
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride ER Capsules/TabletsListed June 2014 to July 2014 · 2 months · already listed when the archive began
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride ER Capsules/TabletsListed October 2014 to January 2016 · 1 year and 5 months
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (QUILLIVANT XR) for Extended-Release Oral SuspensionListed December 2014 to December 2014 · 1 month
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (QUILLIVANT XR) for Extended-Release Oral SuspensionListed February 2018 to October 2020 · 2 years and 9 months
- Methylphenidate Hydrochloride (QUILLIVANT XR) for Extended-Release Oral SuspensionListed since August 2023 · 3 years and 3 months
- Methylphenidate Film, Extended ReleaseListed since September 2025 · 1 year and 2 months
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin generics)
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin generics) is not on the FDA shortage list now.
- Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride (Focalin) TabletListed June 2014 to March 2015 · 10 months · already listed when the archive began
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse generics)
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse generics) has been on the FDA shortage list for 3 years and 3 months.
- Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Tablet, ChewableListed since August 2023 · 3 years and 3 months
Methamphetamine hydrochloride (Desoxyn generics)
Methamphetamine hydrochloride (Desoxyn generics) is not on the FDA shortage list now.
- Methamphetamine Hydrochloride TabletListed April 2023 to January 2026 · 2 years and 10 months
Amphetamine (other forms)
Amphetamine (other forms) is not on the FDA shortage list now.
- Amphetamine Oral Suspension, Extended ReleaseListed December 2021 to August 2022 · 9 months
Open any of them for what past listings of the same age did: mixed amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine.
What does the DEA set each year for these medicines?
The DEA sets a yearly national aggregate production quota for each controlled substance. The bars show kilograms, to scale within each series, from the DEA's aggregate production quota history; the 2026 order is the Federal Register order adjusting the 2026 quotas.
DEA aggregate production quota, the two amphetamine quotas that feed mixed salts
D,L-amphetamine
- 202121,200 kg
- 202221,200 kg
- 202321,200 kg
- 202421,200 kg
- 202521,200 kg
- 2026established24,234 kg
- 2026adjusted 10 Nov31,655 kg
D-amphetamine (for sale)
- 202121,200 kg
- 202221,200 kg
- 202321,200 kg
- 202421,200 kg
- 202526,450 kg
- 2026established26,450 kg
- 2026adjusted 10 Nov37,108 kg
DEA aggregate production quota for methylphenidate (for sale)
Methylphenidate (for sale)
- 202157,438 kg
- 202241,800 kg
- 202341,800 kg
- 202453,283 kg
- 202558,283 kg
- 2026established58,283 kg
- 2026adjusted 10 Nov69,503 kg
DEA aggregate production quota for lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine
- 201623,750 kg
- 201719,000 kg
- 201819,000 kg
- 201919,000 kg
- 202021,000 kg
- 202122,500 kg
- 202226,500 kg
- 202326,500 kg
- 202432,736 kg
- 202539,908 kg
- 202651,291 kg
Kilograms of anhydrous acid or base. The DEA table is dated 13 March 2026, so its 2026 figures are the established quota before the 10 November adjustment. A quota is a ceiling on manufacturing, not a measure of stock.
What reasons did the DEA give for raising the quotas?
The DEA gave reserve stocks, product development and demand as its reasons for raising the amphetamine quotas. The order says the DEA reviewed the FDA shortage list and found multiple manufacturers reporting a domestic shortage of amphetamine mixed salts tablets, some citing "shortage of an active ingredient".
- FDA projected the 2026 domestic medical need for d,l-amphetamine to rise 23.6 percent and for d-amphetamine 23.7 percent against 2025.
- Global sales extrapolated to rise 4.36 percent and 4.07 percent.
- Quota approved for product development rose 173 percent for d,l-amphetamine and 32 percent for d-amphetamine so far in 2026.
- The order was published without a comment period and took effect on 10 November, under the 30-day timeframe in 21 U.S.C. 826(h). The proposed 2027 quotas were published the same day (the proposed 2027 quotas).
The FDA's current listing file shows 73 presentations of the mixed amphetamine salts tablet from 11 companies, first posted 12 October 2022. 3 state "demand increase for the drug", 24 state "shortage of an active ingredient", 6 state "other", and 40 state no reason.
What is the most common way to misread a quota increase?
The most common misreading takes a quota increase as the end of a shortage. A quota raises what may be manufactured; the FDA lists a shortage until supply recovers.
The misreading
"The DEA raised the quota, so my pharmacy will have it next week."
The fix
Read the quota as one input. Manufacturing takes time, and the FDA list records when supply recovers. Ask your pharmacist what can be supplied, and see FDA notes on the stimulant shortage.
Questions
How long has Adderall been in shortage?
The FDA lists the mixed amphetamine salts tablet as in shortage since November 2022, 4 years as of October 2026. An earlier listing ran October 2019 to May 2022, so the drug has been off the list for only a few months since October 2019.
What did the DEA change on 10 November 2026?
The DEA raised its 2026 aggregate production quotas for d,l-amphetamine from 24,234,443 grams to 31,654,915 grams, d-amphetamine (for sale) from 26,450,000 to 37,108,041 grams, and methylphenidate (for sale) from 58,283,000 to 69,502,651 grams, and the order took effect immediately. The DEA said it reviewed the FDA shortage list, which showed manufacturers reporting a mixed amphetamine salts tablet shortage.
Does a higher quota mean the shortage will end?
Not by itself. A quota is a national ceiling on how much may be made. The DEA gives reserve stocks, product development and demand as its reasons, and the FDA list is separate from the quota. This page shows both records and does not say that one caused or ends the other.
Why are there two amphetamine quotas?
The DEA sets one for d,l-amphetamine and one for d-amphetamine (for sale). Mixed amphetamine salts contain both forms, so both quotas bear on the tablet. The DEA's order raised both.
Is this a forecast for my prescription?
No. A listing is a national supply record and a quota is a manufacturing ceiling. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber what can be supplied now.