Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your ADHD Medication?
How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It can be difficult to get prescriptions for ADHD medication due to shortages. This is a problem for all pharmacies and doctors.
If you wish to avoid waiting, you must opt for the "Right to Choose" option to get your assessment. Your local mental health clinic will require a copy of the most recent specialist ADHD review before prescribing.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the drugs most often prescribed to treat ADHD in the UK. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters within the brain - chemicals that allow the brain to communicate. They are highly efficient and can ease many of the challenges associated with living with ADHD. As with all medications they may cause side effects. It is important to inform your GP how you feel and if modifications are required in your treatment.
Stimulant medications are best for adults, but it can be used by children and adolescents. There are many different stimulant drugs available. The most common ones include the methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine salts, and dexamfetamine (Dexamethasone). There is also atomoxetine or Prozac, but it is only approved for children over eight years old.
They are usually introduced at low doses and gradually increased over a few weeks. This is known as titration and it allows you to adjust your dosage as you discover the effects of the medication on your adult or child. The psychiatrist will consult with you and take into account any side effects you may be experiencing to determine the dosage that is suitable for you, while minimizing side effects.
a fantastic read can take some time to find the correct dosage of stimulant ADHD medication, but it is vital to keep on track since long-term use is essential. Having regular appointments with your GP and staying in constant contact with any side effects will ensure that the proper balance is found.
Presently only psychiatrists are able to titrate ADHD medications. However, this could change. In the interim, GPs have been advised to not prescribe stimulant medications to new patients until the shortage has ended.
You can help support the fight for an accurate diagnosis and access to treatment by writing to your GP asking them to refer you to an assessment. You can also print and download the letter of support from ADHD UK to give to your GP.
Stimulants are the most widely used psychiatric drugs and are available at many pharmacies. They are usually prescribed as tablets and are available either as an immediate-release or extended-release drug. Extended-release medications are used once per day, in the morning. They can last up to eight hours. Many people supplement their extended-release medication with an immediate-release drug in the afternoon, between mid and late afternoon, to ensure that they have a constant supply of their medication throughout the day.
The argument that ADHD is over-medicalised and that children are being "drugged up" to manage their behavior and improve their school grades has some merit but it is hard to sustain when medication is so scarce. In the UK there are 2.6 million adults and kids who suffer from the condition. However, only 200,000 are on medication. The number of people diagnosed with ADHD will likely to grow as the stigma associated with the condition diminishes and more people are being referred for an ADHD assessment.