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Track the exact medicine in this category
Mental health medicines can have different availability by brand, strength and formulation. Use the category page for context, then track the medicine page that matches your prescription.
If you have already run out, an emergency supply is usually faster than ringing round. If you are still looking, check the national shortage status before you travel.
Get an emergency supply → Check stock & shortage status →⚠️ Never Stop Mental Health Medication Abruptly
Suddenly stopping antidepressants or antipsychotics can cause dangerous discontinuation symptoms including severe anxiety, dizziness, nausea, electric shock sensations ("brain zaps"), insomnia and, rarely, seizures.
If your medication is unavailable: contact your pharmacy immediately. Under SSP arrangements, they can often supply an alternative on the spot. If nothing is available, see your GP the same day.
In crisis? Call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or NHS 111.
Can You Suddenly Stop Venlafaxine or Quetiapine?
No — never stop venlafaxine or quetiapine abruptly, even if your pharmacy is temporarily out of stock. Both carry a well-documented discontinuation/withdrawal risk, and NHS guidance is explicit that any change in dose, brand or formulation should be managed by a prescriber, not decided by stock availability on the day.
Venlafaxine: why abrupt stopping is especially risky
Venlafaxine has one of the shortest half-lives of any commonly prescribed antidepressant, so missing even one or two doses can trigger discontinuation symptoms — dizziness, "brain zaps," nausea, anxiety and flu-like symptoms — within 24 hours. If your usual strength or brand is out of stock, ask your pharmacist first: MR capsules, immediate-release tablets and the oral solution are often interchangeable at the same total daily dose. If nothing is available, contact your GP or NHS 111 the same day rather than reducing your own dose. Check the live venlafaxine status page →
Quetiapine: why abrupt stopping is especially risky
Quetiapine, prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and off-label for sleep or anxiety augmentation, can cause rebound insomnia, nausea and, at higher psychiatric doses, symptom relapse if stopped suddenly. Switching between immediate-release and modified-release (XL) quetiapine is not a simple swap — the release profile differs, so any change needs prescriber input rather than a same-strength pharmacy substitution. Check the live quetiapine status page →
MediWatch's live data does not currently show an active DHSC or NHSBSA shortage row for either venlafaxine or quetiapine (last checked 21 July 2026) — most local unavailability is a pharmacy stock issue rather than a national shortage. The advice above applies regardless: never stop either medicine without talking to your pharmacist or GP first.
Quick Status: All Mental Health Drugs
Recent Supply Issues
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluoxetine 10mg, 30mg & 40mg capsules/tablets
No current official shortageHistoric SSPMediWatch's latest official data does not show active SSPs for fluoxetine. Historic SSPs affected 10mg, 30mg and 40mg presentations; the medicine page should be used for the live position.
Fluoxetine is the UK's most-prescribed SSRI, listed by NICE NG222 as a first-line antidepressant. The shortage primarily affects less common strengths. The standard 20mg capsule, which accounts for the vast majority of prescriptions, remains fully available. If you take 40mg daily and 40mg capsules are unavailable, your pharmacist can supply two 20mg capsules instead under the DHSC SSP framework.
Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine 37.5mg modified-release tablets
No current official shortageHistoric SSP + DHSC MSNMediWatch's latest official data does not show venlafaxine as a current active shortage. Historic rows affected 37.5mg modified-release tablets and are retained here for context.
Venlafaxine has a notably short half-life, meaning discontinuation symptoms can begin within hours of a missed dose. It is especially important not to miss doses or run out.
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Quetiapine 150mg, 200mg & 300mg tablets
No current official shortageHistoric SSPMediWatch's latest official data does not show quetiapine as a current active shortage. Historic rows affected 150mg, 200mg and 300mg tablets and are retained here for context.
Switching between IR and MR (XL) quetiapine is not straightforward — any switch must be managed by your prescriber. The total daily dose may need adjusting.
Drugs NOT Currently in Shortage
Good news: Sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, mirtazapine and lithium all have no current supply issues.
Understanding Mental Health Drug Classes
- SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram) — first-line for depression and anxiety per NICE NG222 and the BNF antidepressant summary. Increase serotonin levels.
- SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine) — affect both serotonin and noradrenaline. Venlafaxine has a short half-life.
- Atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine, olanzapine, aripiprazole) — for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and treatment-resistant depression.
- Mood stabilisers (lithium, valproate) — primarily for bipolar disorder. Require blood monitoring.
What to Do If Your Mental Health Medication Is Affected
- Do not stop or reduce your dose without medical advice.
- Contact your pharmacy immediately. Under SSP arrangements, they can often dispense an alternative strength or formulation.
- Call multiple pharmacies. Stock levels vary.
- Contact your GP the same day if no alternative is available.
- Check if a different formulation works. Tablets vs capsules, IR vs MR, or liquid formulations may be available.
- Keep a 2-week buffer. Order repeat prescriptions before your supply runs out.
Support in Crisis
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24 hours) — samaritans.org
- NHS 111: Call 111 for urgent medical advice
- Mind: 0300 123 3393 — mind.org.uk
- Crisis text line: Text SHOUT to 85258
Further Reading
- Mental health medication availability — full analysis
- What to do when your prescription is out of stock
- Antidepressant shortage page — SSRIs and SNRIs
Related Condition Pages
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