– It has been a rollercoaster. For two months, Monica Herskog Engerholm (46) has been without her regular medicine Elvanse. – With Elvanse, I sleep better and have a more even mood, she says. Recently, she has had to test other ADHD medications. In consultation with the GP, she first tried an alternative. It did not have the desired effect. Monica became more depressed. She was switched to Ritalin. It worked better, but she still had unwanted symptoms such as low appetite and high heart rate. Been completely empty Since September, there has been a shortage of ADHD medication with the active ingredient lisdexamfetamine. From October, most pharmacies in Norway were completely empty. – It was due to capacity challenges due to increased sales, explains senior physician at the Norwegian Medicines Agency, Ingrid Aas. Lisdexamfetamine Lisdexamfetamine has been available from pharmacies since September. 30,583 people took out a medicine with lisdexamfetamine in 2022. This makes up 38% of the number of people who took out ADHD medicine in total. There were 79,620 people. In 2018, 8,217 people took out a medicine with lisdexamfetamine. Chief medical officer Mats Fredriksen explains the increase: – In 2018, the medicine became available on blue prescription. There has been an increase in the number of adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. It is among these that the use of lisdexamfetamine has particularly increased. Lisdexamfetamine is sold under the names Aduvanz, Volidax, Elvanse and Balidax. Volidax and Balidax are now back in most pharmacies. They are synonymous preparations for Elvanse and Aduvanz, which means that they can be used with the same effect. The challenges now affect the few patients who are subject to a reservation against switching between these preparations. Source: FHI’s drug register, Statens Legemiddelverk, senior doctor Mats Fredriksen at the Regional competence service for autism, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome in Health South-east. The shortage also occurred because the patent for the production of the medicine lisdexamfetamine expired this spring. The company that originally supplied the active ingredient scaled back its production because they expected a large increase in other manufacturers. That did not happen, and instead there was a shortage. Senior doctor Ingrid Aas at the Norwegian Medicines Agency is happy on behalf of the patients who have been affected by a total drug shortage. Photo: STATENS LEGEMIDDELVERK Received deliveries again But now both Apotek 1, Vitusapotek and Boots apotek report that they have again received deliveries of medicine with lisdexamfetamine. It should already be out in several of their pharmacies. The preparations Volidax and Balidax are now available. Apotek 1 Helsehuset Fredrikstad is one of the pharmacies that can finally rejoice at having received Balidax and Volidax. Photo: Matias Næss Lysholm / news Two weeks ago, 30 people were on the waiting list for the medicine at Apotek 1 Helsehuset Fredrikstad. Now the waiting list is completely empty. – We are very happy on behalf of our customers. Several have gone without the medicine for a while and are happy that it is back, says pharmacist Heidi Skjønhaug Reinertsen. The pharmacy is located next to Østfold University College, which means that many students come in. – Having ADHD and studying without medication can be difficult. Several students are particularly happy, now that it is exam period. Pharmacist Heidi Skjønhaug Reinertsen at Apotek 1 Helsehuset Fredrikstad says that dealing with medicine shortages is part of their everyday life. Photo: Matias Næss Lysholm / news Reinertsen says that their inventory is currently good, but that the shortage cannot be completely eliminated. Delivery challenges may still arise, but the weeks ahead look good. Happy for solution ADHD Norway is also happy on behalf of those who can now get their medicine back. – We work according to the vision of “a good life for everyone with ADHD”, and that means access to treatment that is right for the individual, says professional advisor Lucie Glede Collett. They are therefore satisfied that the situation now appears to have been resolved. Professional adviser in ADHD Norway Lucie Glede Collett says that they have been worried about their members during the shortage period. Photo: Matias Næss Lysholm / news Throughout the shortage period, they have received many inquiries from people who have been affected. Both people who are frustrated and worried, but also those who have solved the situation when their regular medicine has been unavailable. – Many have found an alternative medicine in their treatment. – But several have also experienced that the shortage goes beyond their daily functioning. We have encouraged them to have a dialogue with their GP, says the adviser. Sending order immediately Monica Herskog Engerholm was one of those who could not find a good alternative to the medicine. She therefore smiles when news gives her the message that she can now get back the medicine she has used for eight years. – Then I will send the order to the pharmacy straight away, she says. Monica is glad the shortage is over for now. – It can quickly feel lonely. It is difficult for people who have not experienced it themselves to understand what you are going through, she says. Photo: Matias Næss Lysholm / news ADHD medicine Two active substances are most common in the medication of ADHD: methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine. About. 57,000 people extracted menthylphenidate in 2022, while approx. 31,000 extracted lisdexamfetamine. The best-known preparation for menthylphenidate is Ritalin. As of today, there is no reliable way to predict the effect in the individual. In general, lisekdsamfetamine has a less rapid onset than methylphenidate, but in return has a longer and more consistent effect. In the medication of ADHD, both central stimulants and non-central stimulants are used. Both menthylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are central stimulants. Around 9 out of 10 use stimulants. Patients always try central stimulants first, as group studies here show a better effect for more patients. Source: FHI’s drug register, senior doctor Mats Fredriksen at the Regional competence service for autism, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome in Health South-east.
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The ADHD medicine lisdexamfetamine is now back – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
