Psychiatric Medication Shortages: What You Need to Know
There has been buzz in the news for several years at this point about impending or existing psychiatric medication shortages. Rarely, however, do these news stories offer any guidance for prescribers or patients on what to actually do when dealing with medication shortages.
We at Patterns Psychiatry wanted to step in to offer guidance on what to do when you’re impacted by a psychiatric medication shortage, and how to plan in case shortages impact you in the future.
Why are there psychiatric medication shortages right now?
A medication shortage is a situation where there is more demand than supply for a particular medication, so people with prescriptions are unable to fill them. There are several psychiatric medications, including stimulants for ADHD treatment, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, buprenorphine (for opiod use disorder), and sertraline (an SSRI), that are currently undergoing shortages.
Manufacturing delays, increasing demand, and discontinuation of production are responsible for the bulk of these shortages right now. There are also regulatory controls on the production of substances like stimulants, to prevent abuse. While the FDA has requested increases in production for these medications to reflect the prescribed demand, the rates of increase are slow, prolonging these shortages.
What impacts can a psychiatric medication shortage have?
Withdrawal symptoms
People who are unable to access their psychiatric medications can experience withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be severe. Two of the current medication categories with shortages, benzodiazepines and buprenorphine, are also used to treat substance use disorders, and withdrawals from substances, when not medically treated, can also be dangerous.
Uncontrolled symptoms
When a psychiatric medication shortage means you lose access to an important pillar of your mental health management plan, you can end up experiencing a recurrence of symptoms. You were prescribed medication for a sound reason, and the loss of access can disrupt multiple arenas in your life like work, your relationships, your ability to take care of yourself, and even your safety.
Delays in seeking treatment
There are often roadblocks for patients trying to access psychiatric medication, and the roadblock of medication shortages can cause people to abandon seeking treatment at all. When generic medications are unavailable, you may try to track down a brand-name medication, but your insurance may or may not cover it. Having to search for a pharmacy that has your medication in stock can be frustrating and time consuming. You might also be required to seek a prior authorization, which can slow down your ability to fill a prescription. That delay can be the final straw in a long process, causing you to want to abandon bothering to find help at all.
Seeking medication through unsafe sources
When uncontrolled symptoms become intolerable, people will often either seek prescription medication through unsafe sources, or self-medicate through substance use. Both of these are dangerous options. There is no safety oversight when you take medication or other substances from sources other than a pharmacist, so you don’t know what you’re getting, or how it could harm you.
Self-medication through legal substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and THC can also be damaging, as none of your options are designed to help mental health conditions. At best, they can provide some numbness for a while, but they can also often worsen mental health in the long run, and you run the risk of substance dependency as well.
How to handle a psychiatric medication shortage
Talk to a prescriber about treatment options
It takes courage to seek treatment for your mental health, and a lot of patience too. Frustration around access to medication is difficult, we know, but we want to urge you to at least consider continuing treatment for your mental health. There may be other options that are less frustrating or more accessible, like psychotherapy, or other medication options that will still be a good fit. Your prescriber can help you access these alternatives, so you can continue on your path to a better, healthier life in spite of medication shortages.
Do not stop your medication
When you aren’t sure you’ll have access to your medication, you may be tempted to ration it or stop it altogether. Uneven dosing or stopping medication all at once can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can range from uncomfortable to dangerous.
It’s important to talk to your prescriber as soon as you can about your options instead of attempting to change your dosage or medication schedule, so you can navigate a medication shortage as safely as possible. Your provider can guide you through changing medications if needed, or at the very least help you discontinue a medication safely. It is never a good idea to stop taking your medication without help from a provider.
Do not seek medication from non-prescription sources
While it is sometimes tempting to try to track down your medication through sources other than your pharmacist, or out of desperation seek other substances to try to manage your symptoms, we urge you to reconsider. There are always other options for mental health treatment that offer you relief while also making sure you’re safe.
Patterns Psychiatry medication management services in Texas, Minnesota, and Iowa can help you deal with medication shortages
If you’re struggling to find your psychiatric medication or you’d like to have a plan in place for dealing with medication shortages before it becomes a problem, the expert providers from Patterns Psychiatry can help you with the ins and outs of medication management. They can provide you with alternative medication options when shortages limit your choices, help you start new medications safely, and also provide you with evidence-based guidelines for discontinuing a medication safely.
If you are in immediate need of medication, you can also contact the Patterns Psychiatry urgent care services, to receive support in 24 hours or less. We are here for you, every step of the way in your mental health journey.
