For parents of neurodivergent kids—or adults navigating ADHD themselves—there’s a moment you never forget:
That first time the meds actually worked.
The fog lifts. The impulsivity settles. The emotional chaos softens.
You think, ‘Oh. This is what it feels like to function.
But what happens when that feeling disappears?
What happens when the medication that once helped your brain click into place… suddenly doesn’t?
That’s where we are now. And it’s not just individual.
It’s systemic.
It’s national.
And it’s not okay.
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The ADHD Medication Crisis (Yes, It’s a Crisis)
Here’s the situation as of April 4th 2025:
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Concerta is out of stock until December 2025.
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Vyvanse is available—but people are reporting dramatic changes in how it works.
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The other remaining options? Short-acting Dexamphetamine and Ritalin, which can come with their own emotional rollercoaster, side effects, and logistical nightmares.
What’s Going on With Vyvanse?
Thousands of people across Australia—adults, parents, teachers, clinicians—are reporting that suddenly Vyvanse ‘feels different.’
And they’re right.
Here’s what we now know:
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Takeda (the manufacturer) has changed the packaging site for Vyvanse.
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The new packaging contains typos:
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“Each capsules contain…”
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“Pharmaceutivals”
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Takeda has confirmed the labelling issues, stating:
‘These errors do not impact product quality or patient safety.’
But if they can’t get the spelling right, how can we trust they got the formulation right?
Because it’s not just the label that feels off. It’s the medication itself.
The Side Effects Patients Are Reporting
From adults:
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‘It’s like I’m taking nothing.’
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‘I’m wired but non-functional.’
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‘Skin picking, binge eating, anxiety—like my body’s on but my brain is offline.’
From children:
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Emotional meltdowns
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Increased aggression
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Sleep disturbances
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Overwhelm in sensory environments
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Regression in executive function and self-regulation
And What About the Kids?
Children don’t have the words to say, ‘I think my medication is no longer effective.’
They just know that suddenly:
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They feel wrong inside.
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They can’t focus.
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They get in trouble.
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They’re being told to ‘try harder.’
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And no one believes them.
Parents are getting calls from schools:
‘He’s disruptive.’
‘She’s not listening.’
‘They’re having a hard time complying.’
Meanwhile, the child is confused, dysregulated, and—most painfully—ashamed.
Because they don’t know why their brain has changed.
And no one around them has the full picture.
⏳ What Makes This Worse?
Many of these children are past their medication trial period.
Their next paediatrician review might be 4–6 months away.
There’s no one currently monitoring their response to a drug that is, effectively, no longer the same.
No plan.
No interim supports.
No visibility that the issue might not be them—but their medication.
How is this fair?
So What Are We Meant to Do?
If you’re in this situation, you are not alone. And you are not overreacting.
Here’s what you can do:
✅ 1. Report it
If your Vyvanse feels different, log it with the TGA: Report a medicine problem to the TGA
Include:
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Batch number
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Symptoms (new or worsened)
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Time of onset
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Any packaging anomalies
✅ 2. Track Everything
Make notes daily.
Use a symptom tracker for:
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Sleep
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Appetite
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Focus
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Mood
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Behavioural changes
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Teacher or school feedback
Track your child’s patterns. You are the expert here.
✅ 3. Speak Up—Even If the System Isn’t Listening Yet
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, OT, psychologist.
Even if they haven’t ‘heard anything official,’ your data matters.
Ask for:
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A review or dose adjustment
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An interim care plan
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Consideration of a different formulation (e.g. compounded Dex, alternate delivery system)
✅ 4. Write to Your Local MP
This is not just an inconvenience.
It’s a functional impairment crisis affecting:
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Families
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Children’s education
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Adult employment
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Mental health outcomes
Write. Tag. Email.
Ask: Where is the ADHD medication contingency plan?
This Isn’t Just About Medication
It’s about trust.
It’s about families who fought tooth and nail for access, only to watch it fall apart without warning.
It’s about kids who don’t understand why they’re failing again.
And it’s about a system that refuses to believe us—even as we document the collapse in real time.
We need reform. We need transparency. And we need action.
Until then?
We will track.
We will speak.
And we will not be gaslit.
I’ll be sharing more soon:
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A podcast episode breaking this down for families
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A downloadable tracker you can use at home or school
If this hit home, please:
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Share this post
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Talk to your school
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And don’t let anyone tell you it’s just in your head
Because maybe the spelling error isn’t the problem.
Maybe it’s just the clearest sign that something is seriously wrong.
–>Link to the latest update from the TGA as below:
The TGA has publicly acknowledged the packaging errors on Vyvanse, initially stating that the medication itself hadn’t changed. However, following widespread concerns shared on social media, they’ve since confirmed an increase in adverse event reports, including reports of decreased effectiveness. In response, the TGA has launched a deeper investigation, stating:
“We are continuing our investigations into these reports… including reports of decreased effectiveness of Vyvanse. We are working with Takeda to obtain more information, as well as undertaking independent testing in our own laboratories. As with any medicine, if we find any problems with safety or effectiveness, we will take regulatory action.”
