How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It is sometimes difficult to obtain prescriptions for ADHD medication due to a shortage. This affects all pharmacies and doctors.
You should get your assessment via the 'Right to Choose route if you wish to avoid lengthy wait times. Before prescribing ADHD medication or a treatment, your local mental health service may require a current ADHD specialist review.
Stimulants
Stimulants are among the drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in the UK. They work by increasing the availability of various neurotransmitters in the brain. These are chemicals that enable the brain to communicate. They are highly effective and can help with the many challenges that come with living with ADHD. However, as with all medications, they may have side effects so open communication is important with your GP about how you are feeling and any changes to treatment that may be necessary.
Stimulant medications are best used by adults, although it can be utilized by children and adolescents. They are available in a variety of different forms - the most popular being methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine dimesylate (Dexamethasone). There is also atomoxetine, or Prozac however it is only approved for children over eight years of age.
They are usually started at low dosages and gradually increased over several days. This is called titration, and it permits you to make adjustments as you learn the effects of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will collaborate with you and look at any adverse effects you might be experiencing to determine a dosage that is right for you, while minimizing adverse effects.
It may take some time to find the appropriate dosage of stimulant ADHD drugs but it is essential to keep the dosage in check since long-term use is necessary. Regular visits with your GP will help you find the ideal balance.
Currently, only psychiatrists are able titrate ADHD medications. However, this may change. In the meantime, general practitioners are advised not to begin new patients on any stimulant medication until the supply is over.
adhd medication uk for adults can contribute to the fight for a better diagnosis and access to treatment by writing to your GP asking them to refer you for an assessment. You can download and print the support letter from ADHD UK that you can give to your GP.
Most pharmacies sell stimulants which are widely prescribed psychiatric drugs. They are usually prescribed as tablets and can be taken either as an extended-release or immediate-release drug. Extended-release medicines are usually taken daily, in the morning. They can last for up to eight hours. Many people supplement their extended-release medication with an instant-release medicine between mid-late afternoon and the evening to ensure they have a constant supply of their medication during the day.
The argument that ADHD is a condition that requires a lot of medication and that children are 'drugged up' to control their behaviour and improve their school grades has merit, but it is hard to endure when medications are so in short supply. In the UK there are 2.6 million adults and children who suffer from the condition. However, only 200,000 are on medication. adhd medication uk for adults is likely to rise as the stigma associated with the condition diminishes and more people are referred to an ADHD assessment.