It's Time To Upgrade Your UK ADHD Medication Options
Medications For ADHD
Medications can help people with ADHD to concentrate, be less impulsive and acquire new skills. They can also enhance the social interactions and school performance.
But millions of people with the condition are struggling to get their medicine because of shortages. Many are rationing their supplies or stockpiling. But a taskforce is trying to ease the problem.
Stimulants
The medications used to treat ADHD are usually classed as stimulants, meaning they increase the levels certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you to control your thoughts and focus on the task at the moment.
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed type of UK ADHD medication. They are a group of drugs that include the methylphenidate family (such as Ritalin) and the amphetamine salts family (like Adderall). Both drugs work in a different manner, however, they both decrease the amount of dopamine released by the brain during an impulse.
The methylphenidate family of medicines is the most widely used in Europe and the UK. It includes methylphenidate as well as dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. They are available as short or long-acting medications, or as two medications called 'immediate ' release' and'modified release'. Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medicines can last as long as twelve hours.
In the year 2000, the government issued a national patient safety alert advising of the upcoming shortage of these ADHD medications. The shortages were due to both manufacturing problems and an increased global demand. Certain products were out of stock for a time however, supplies have since resumed.
As the availability of ADHD medication increased, more adults could take these medications. This means that for the first time, more adults than children are receiving these medications in England. As a result, more women are being diagnosed with ADHD. They are receiving the same medications as their male counterparts.
More than 200,000 adults are now receiving a stimulant ADHD medication in the UK. But, this is just a tiny portion of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK who suffer from the condition. The decision to either take or not take medication is often an individual decision. Some people prefer to take medication, while others opt for therapy.
There are also nonstimulant ADHD medications that have a different effect on the body. This kind of medication boosts the levels of noradrenaline in the brain. Noradrenaline acts as a messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This medication can help with concentration, and lower impulses. However adhd medication uk for adults takes a few weeks for the effects to begin to manifest in the brain. It's also more expensive than stimulants. It is nevertheless important that adults are aware of their options and discuss the options with their doctors or ADHD services. They will be able to provide additional guidance on the options available for parents and children. This is crucial considering that the availability of these medications has been impacted by the recent shortages in the UK.