Try these tips if you need to access drugs in short supply.
Call your doctor. Many offices have dedicated staff to help with pharmacy shortages, says Karin G. Johnson, MD, FAAN, professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Springfield.
Work with your pharmacist. “A relationship with a pharmacist can be really helpful,” says Sarah Cheyette, MD, a pediatric neurologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in the Bay Area in California. That pharmacist can check other stores in the same network and may even be able to check other pharmacies.
Consider hospital-based pharmacies. A pharmacy connected to a hospital may be more likely to have a specific drug in stock, according to Max Wiznitzer, MD, FAAN, professor of pediatric neurology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. Look into mail-order pharmacies as an option, too, he suggests.
Ask about dosages. If the prescribed dose is 10 mg, for example, but the pharmacy has only 5 mg doses in stock, your doctor can change the prescription accordingly, says Dr. Cheyette.
Try different medications. Changing a prescription that works is not ideal, but sometimes it's necessary. You and your doctor can find the next-best option and monitor how effective it is, says Dr. Cheyette.
Focus on self-care. “Structure, routine, and consistency are key for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” says Dr. Wiznitzer, who is co-chair of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
Take precautions. If you can't get a medication that helps you stay awake, don't drive until you get it filled. If you're sleepy during the day, take a nap in the early afternoon to avoid sleeplessness at night, suggests Temitayo O. Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, FAAN, associate professor of neurology at the University of California Davis Health Hospital.
Advocate for change. “Write to your legislators,” says Dr. Johnson. “Ask them to address gaps in the supply chain and increase dosage limits on Schedule II controlled substances.”
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