“I’m Truly Scared for What This Could Mean”

March 12, 2025Access to prescription ADHD medication continues to burden — and preoccupy — patients with ADHD.The prescription stimulant shortage that first disrupted treatment for millions of patients with ADHD two years ago lingers for many.

And now, ADDitude readers and others in the mental-health community are worried about losing access to “lifesaving” medication as the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission investigates the state of “childhood chronic disease.”The MAHA Commission will “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs” and deliver a recommendation on May 25.

Some within the mental-health community are expressing concern that the commission could force the withdrawal of Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval for these drugs.According to an article published last week by Medscape, rescinding the FDA’s authorization for these medications would be “very difficult,” requiring years of public meetings and evidence that the medications are unsafe.Research has long established the safety and efficacy of the stimulant medications used to treat ADHD.

Amphetamine (brand name: Adderall) and methylphenidate (brand name: Ritalin), two main stimulants used to treat ADHD, have been found to reduce ADHD symptoms by 70% to 90% in children1,2.[Get This Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD Medication]SSRIs are often used as a first-line pharmacological option for treating anxiety and depression, as they have fewer side effects than older classes of antidepressants3.Despite the proven safety and efficacy of these medications, ADDitude readers say they are largely feeling.