Online Pharmacies and the ADHD Medication Shortage
Desperation is Driving Patients to Dangerous Alternatives
For those who rely on stimulant medications to manage ADHD, life has become an endless series of frustrations. The current shortage of ADHD medications — from both the Adderall and Ritalin families of medication — has patients and prescribers alike pulling our hair out, desperate to find reliable sources to fill prescriptions. I’ve heard more than one person say it feels like a full-time job trying to fill their prescriptions some months. This frustration is so intense that some are turning to online pharmacies in hopes of finding medication — but this has created an even more dangerous problem.
A Worsening Shortage, A Worsening Crisis
This medication shortage is not just an inconvenience. It’s a catastrophic challenge to those who must go without medications between fills.
Students with untreated ADHD experience real declines in academic performance. Their focus wanes, they can’t keep up with assignments, and grades slip, which can lead to increased anxiety and depression. Some students may be losing scholarships or acceptance into the college programs they’ve worked so hard for.
Adults, on the other hand, are experiencing breakdowns in their work lives and personal responsibilities. They struggle to perform at their jobs and keep up with family demands, which threatens their financial stability.
And for everyone on the road, the risks are greater: an unfocused driver with ADHD is far more likely to be involved in traffic accidents, putting themselves and others at risk.
The Dangerous Temptation of Online Pharmacies
In their desperation, some patients are turning to online pharmacies, hoping they can find a safe source for their prescribed medications.
Unfortunately, many of these online outlets are far from legitimate. According to the DEA, illegal online pharmacies are exploiting this shortage, luring vulnerable people into purchasing unregulated and potentially dangerous pills. These fake medications often contain completely different ingredients, including harmful chemicals like fentanyl, which has led to overdose deaths.
Not only are these online pharmacies scams, but they are also potentially lethal. This is a true crisis situation.
The Risk of Counterfeit Medications
Patients who take these counterfeit pills are putting their lives on the line. These fake medications may look like the real thing, but the active ingredients are often totally different. Some may contain fillers that can cause allergic reactions, while others are laced with dangerous opioids like fentanyl or with stimulants that have unpredictable, potentially deadly effects.
This is not just an inconvenience — it’s a crisis. People are purchasing what they think is essential medication, only to end up in the ER or worse.
When we think of drug overdoses, we often think of a person who is using drugs to get a high, but these are people who are simply desperate to purchase a prescribed medication for themselves or their child so they can succeed in day-to-day life.
Fake Pharmacies Are Playing with Lives
Let’s be clear: these “online pharmacies” are nothing more than criminal enterprises. They use professional-looking websites, fake logos, and even fabricated customer reviews to convince people they are legitimate. But the DEA has warned that many of these sites are operating outside any legal guidelines. They have no regard for quality, safety, or your health. Instead, they’re exploiting vulnerable people who are only trying to manage their ADHD in the face of an unprecedented and prolonged shortage with little end in sight.
The DEA has identified the following fake pharmacies:
Curecog.com
Pharmacystoresonline.com
yourpharmacy.online
MD724.com
Grenleafdispensarystore.com
whatishydrocodone.weebly.com
orderpainkillersonline.com
USAmedstores.com
If you have purchased alleged medication from any of these websites, you should immediately stop using it and contact your local DEA office or report the incident here.
Red flags about fake online pharmacies include:
Selling prescription drugs without requiring a valid prescription from a healthcare provider
Offering much cheaper prices than what is typically seen in the market
Listing prices in a foreign currency
Does not offer proof of a valid pharmacy state license or DEA registration
Medicine arrives in broken or damaged packaging or in a foreign language
Medicine does not have an expiration date or has one that has expired
Medicine looks different from what you have received in the past from your trusted pharmacist (this is tricky because generic versions that are legitimate also look different)
Prepare to Save a Life
During this challenging time, it’s crucial to take every possible precaution against the risks posed by counterfeit medications.
One proactive measure everyone can take is to purchase and keep naloxone, an emergency medication that reverses opioid overdoses. With the rise in counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl — often in amounts lethal even to people who don’t typically use opioids — having naloxone on hand could be lifesaving.
Naloxone, available as a nasal spray or injectable, is easy to administer and can be bought without a prescription at most pharmacies.
Recognizing an overdose is essential. Signs include:
difficulty breathing
blue lips or fingertips
unresponsiveness
shallow or stopped breathing
unconsciousness or inability to awaken
choking or gurgling/snoring sounds from a person who cannot be awakened
small, constricted "pinpoint pupils" that don't react to light
If you suspect an overdose, administer naloxone immediately according to package directions, and call emergency services right away. You won’t harm a person if it’s not an opioid overdose, so there’s nothing to lose by giving it if they have the warning signs of overdose.
Having naloxone nearby and knowing how to use it could save a life in this era of counterfeit medication risks.
Learn more about Naloxone at Naloxone (CDC.gov).
For more information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe from illegal and fake pills, visit DEA’s One Pill Can Kill resource page.
The Bottom Line: Stay Safe, Stay Informed
In a time of crisis, the frustration of not being able to get necessary medication is real and justified. But please resist the temptation to go online to fill your prescriptions with unknown sources. Stick to reputable in-person or insurance-affiliated online pharmacies.
Some people are managing ADHD symptoms temporarily through other measures, though these are not a substitute for medication. These can include exercise, mindfulness techniques, getting sufficient sleep, cutting back on screen time, and using tools such as planners, white boards, visual timers, and more — all things I typically write about and teach to kids and teens through the TEACH Me ADHD courses.
A resource I’ve found helpful for adults who need to manage executive functioning problems is Adults With Executive Function Disorder - The OT Toolbox.
Until the supply issue is resolved, stay vigilant and informed. Avoid these online traps that could cost you far more than money — they could cost you or your loved one’s precious life.