Concerta,Teva & Ritalin LA/ Rubifen LA shortage-
Request for alternative prescription
Shortage of Concerta & Teva XR-slow release over 12 hours- alternative medication options
There is a nationwide shortage of all strengths of long-acting (i.e. slow release over 12 hours) Methylphenidate medications Concerta and Teva XR.
The earliest estimated availability is not expected until December 2025.
(The other 12 hr Methylphenidate brand XR ARX has been discontinued.)
The following information and services are for patients currently under the care (for ADHD) of paediatricians associated with Prosper Paediatrics.
Dr Yanni’s requirements: an appointment; no need to submit a Request Form
Dr Yanni requests that all her patients needing a review of alternative medication options book an appointment. Her patients should not complete the Request Form but instead email or phone to book an appointment.
Dr Agrawal’s and Dr Holst’s requirements: please complete the Request Form below & book a Video Appointment.
Dr Rishi Agrawal and Dr Rebecca Holst require a short Video Appointment with all their patients for new scripts:
They have advised that brief appointments of at least 5 minutes will be $74.25 and will be fully rebated if Medicare requirements have been met. Medicare requires that your child is present and participating for the duration of the appointment. Fees for longer appointments will include a gap, and your paediatrician will determine this fee. Each paediatrician has many patients who will require new scripts and will endeavour to fit these consultations in. Prepayment of fees may be required, but if the appointment is longer, you will be required to pay the additional amount at the conclusion of the appointment
Other associated paediatricians’ requirements: please complete the Request Form below and pay the Request Fee.
Other associated providers may be willing to issue a new prescription without an appointment if no further review is required at this time.
The Request Fee is $40.
If urgent, an additional fee of $40 will be billed.
Urgent requests are those needing completion within 5 business days or before your provider’s next clinic day and generally must be completed by a locum.
Your provider may require an appointment to complete your Request, especially if there are questions or concerns or if you have had previous problems with medications. They may, at their discretion, reduce the appointment fee to adjust for the Request Fee that has been paid.
Payment of the Request Fee is required to commence processing of your request.
Please phone the rooms to pay the Request Fee.
Alternatively, you can email a copy of your bank’s remittance advice of the fee payment to your provider.
Please ensure you check your repeats before submitting a script request to avoid an unnecessary Script Request Fee:
You can check the number of repeats left either on the medication packet or at a pharmacy. The Script Request Fee will be applied to this service, notwithstanding that a script could not be supplied because current repeats were available.
Further Information about checking Repeats is available here.
ADHD Medication options while Concerta is unavailable:
Methylphenidate formulation options
Ritalin LA/Rubifen LA (Methylphenidate slow release over 8 hours) -now in shortage
A Swiss brand of Concerta on a private script and unsubsidized by the PBS. Your health fund may give you a partial rebate and the price may be variable from pharmacy to pharmacy.
Methylphenidate short-acting (Ritalin/Artige) 2 or 3 times a day, such as at 7.30 am, 11.30 am & 3.30 pm.
Lisdexamfetamine. Vyvanse, is
an alternative stimulant class of medication with similar action to methylphenidate;
has a 12-hour duration and similar side effects;
is available in capsule form but can be opened and dissolved in liquid;
is available in 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg sizes.
There is no direct conversion from Concerta/Teva dosing. It is metabolised to the active ingredient by the body, so dosing is generally worked out with trial and adjustments to reach a satisfactory management plan, starting with 20 mg and building up as needed.