What to do — and what not to do — if you can’t find ADHD drugs during shortage

A shortage in ADHD medication, like Adderall and Concerta, is making some users get creative with their treatment. But some remedies might be unsafe.

“People are having a hard time finding their medicine, so a common replacement is caffeine,” said Dr. Erikka Dzirasa, a psychiatrist at Catalyst Therapeutic Services in Durham, North Carolina. “Parents will tell me, ‘I’m just giving my kid Mountain Dew instead,’ which really isn’t a great option.”

Here’s what Dzirasa said about finding necessary medication during the shortage and avoiding home remedies.