Medications For ADHD
The use of medication can assist people suffering from ADHD to focus, reduce impulsivity and learn new skills. They can also improve school performance and social interactions.
But millions of people with the condition are struggling to get their medication due to shortages. Many are rationing their medications or stockpiling. However, a taskforce is working to ease the problem.
Stimulants
Medications used to treat ADHD are typically classified as stimulants, which means they boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you to control your thoughts and focus on the task at the moment.
The stimulants are the most common type of ADHD medication that is prescribed in the UK. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included in this category. Both drugs function in a different way, but they both reduce the amount of dopamine that is released in the brain during an impulse.
In Europe and in the UK, the methylphenidate drug family is the most widely used. It includes methylphenidate hydrochloride, dexamfetamine dimesylate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. They are available as short-acting or long-acting medicines or as two medications called 'immediate ' release and modified release. Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medications can last up to twelve hours.
In adult adhd medication uk , the government issued a national patient safety alert warning of shortages of these ADHD medication. The shortages were caused by manufacturing issues as well as an increasing demand in the world. Some products were completely unavailable for a period of time however, supplies have since resumed.
As the supply of ADHD medications improved as more adults were able get them. For the first time adults in England are receiving these drugs more frequently than children. There is also a growing number of women diagnosed with ADHD as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and they are now receiving these medications as well as their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults are on stimulant ADHD medication. However, this is still just a tiny fraction of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK with the condition. The choice to take or not take medication is often a personal choice. Some people choose to take medication, whereas others prefer therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medication options, which have a different impact on the body. This type of medication increases noradrenaline in the brain, which is a messenger chemical that passes information between nerve cells. This can help with concentration and decrease of impulses, but it takes several weeks for it to affect the brain and this is the reason why non-stimulant ADHD medication is often required to be monitored by a psychiatrist more closely. It is also more costly than stimulants. It is still crucial that adults are aware of their options and discuss the options with their doctors or ADHD services. They can provide more information on the options available to them and their families. This is especially important considering that the availability of these medications has been impacted by the recent shortages across the UK.