11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your ADHD Medication
How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
The supply of ADHD medications is sporadic and it can sometimes be difficult to obtain prescriptions due to a shortage. This is a problem for all pharmacies and doctors.
If you wish to avoid waiting, you must select the 'Right to choose" pathway to access your assessment. Your local mental health service will require a copy of a recent specialist ADHD review before prescribing.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the drugs most commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in the UK. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow the brain communicate) in the brain. They are extremely effective and can help with the many challenges associated with ADHD. Like all medications, they can cause adverse effects. It is important to inform your GP what you are feeling and if changes are needed in treatment.
Stimulant medication is best used by adults, although it is also used by children and adolescents. They are available in a variety of different forms, the most common being methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine dimesylate (Dexamethasone). There is also the atomoxetine (Prozac) however, it is only approved for use by children 8 and over.
They are generally started at low doses, and then increased gradually over a few weeks. This is known as titration. It allows for adjustments to be made as you come to know the effect of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will collaborate with you and consider any side effects you may be experiencing to determine the dosage that is appropriate for you while minimizing adverse effects.
It may take some time to determine the right dosage of stimulant ADHD medications, but it is vital to remain on track as long-term use is required. Regular appointments with your GP can help you find the right balance.
Currently titration of ADHD medications is only undertaken by psychiatrists who specialize in this area, but this may change. In the meantime, general practitioners are advised not to start new patients on any stimulant medication until the shortfall is gone.
You can join the fight for a more accurate diagnosis and better access to medications by asking your GP to refer you for a medical assessment. You can also download and print a support letter from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Stimulants are the most widely used psychiatric drugs and can be purchased from most pharmacies. They are prescribed as tablets and can be taken as an immediate-release drug or an extended-release one. Extended-release medications are administered every morning in the morning and can last up to eight hours. Many people will take a second dose of their extended-release medication along with an immediate-release medication during the afternoon, between mid and late afternoon, to ensure they have a steady supply of their medication throughout the day.
adhd anxiety medication that ADHD is being treated too much and that children are 'drugged up' to control their behavior and improve their school performance is a valid argument, however it is difficult to sustain when medication is so scarce. In the UK, there are 2.6 million adults and kids suffering from the condition. However only 200,000 of them are on medication. This number is likely rise as the stigma around ADHD diminishes and more people are referred for an ADHD assessment.