Politics & Government
FDA Says Watch Out for Counterfeit Adderall Tablets
Patients who use Adderall are being warned against fake versions of the prescription that is being sold online. There is currently a shortage of the drug often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.
The FDA is warning consumers and health care professionals about a counterfeit version of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ Adderall 30 milligram tablets that is being purchased on the Internet.
FDA’s preliminary laboratory tests revealed that the counterfeit version of Teva’s Adderall 30 mg tablets contained the wrong active ingredients. Adderall contains four active ingredients – dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate. Instead of these active ingredients, the counterfeit product contained tramadol and acetaminophen, which are ingredients in medicines used to treat acute pain.
Adderall, which is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and narcolepsy, is a prescription drug classified as a controlled substance – a class of drugs for which special controls are required for dispensing by pharmacists. The counterfeit Adderall tablets are round, white and do not have any type of markings, such as letters or numbers. Authentic Adderall 30 mg tablets produced by Teva are round, orange/peach, and scored tablets with "dp" embossed on one side and "30" on the other side of the tablet.
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The Adderall 30 mg product may be counterfeit if:
1. The product comes in a blister package.
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2. There are misspellings on the package.
- “NDS” instead of “NDC”
- “Aspartrte” instead of “Aspartate”
- “Singel” instead of “Single”
3. The tablets are white in color, round in shape, and are smooth.
4. The tablets have no markings on them.
Anyone who believes they have the counterfeit version of Teva’s Adderall 30 mg tablets should not take or should stop taking the product. Consumers should talk to their health care professional about their condition and options for treatment.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Complete and submit the report Online here. Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the FDA Press Release, here.
