How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It can be difficult to obtain prescriptions for ADHD medication due to shortages. This affects all doctors as well as pharmacies.
You should seek your evaluation via the 'Right of Choice' pathway if you want to avoid long waits. The local mental health services will require details of an upcoming specialist ADHD review before prescribing.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the medications most often 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 efficient and can assist with many of the difficulties that come along with living with ADHD. Like all medications, they may cause adverse negative effects. It is important to inform your GP about how you feel and if adjustments are required in your treatment.
Stimulant medication works best for adults, but can be used by children and adolescents. They are available in a number of different forms, the most common being methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin), amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine dimesylate (Dexamethasone). There is also atomoxetine or Prozac however it is only approuvé for children over the age of eight.
They are usually started at low doses, and gradually increased over several days. This is known as titration. It allows for adjustments to be made as you come to understand the effects of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will collaborate with you and take into account any side effects you may be experiencing to determine a dose that is appropriate for you while minimizing the adverse effects.
It may take some time to determine the proper dosage of stimulant ADHD drugs, but it is important to stay on track since long-term use is necessary. Having regular appointments with your GP and keeping in constant contact with any side effects will ensure that the proper balance is reached.
At present, only psychiatrists are able to adjust ADHD medications. However, adhd uk medication may change. In the meantime, doctors are advised not to start new patients on any stimulant medication until the shortfall is gone.
You can help support the fight for a better diagnosis and access to treatment by writing to your GP asking them to refer you to an assessment. You can also download and print a support letter from ADHD UK that you can present to your GP.
Stimulants are the most widely utilized psychiatric medication and are available at many pharmacies. They are prescribed as tablets, and can either be taken as an immediate-release or extended-release drug. Extended-release medications are administered once a day in the morning and can last up to eight hours. Many people take their extended-release medication with an instant-release drug between mid-late afternoon and the evening to ensure they have a steady supply of their medication throughout the daytime.
The argument that ADHD is a condition that requires a lot of medication and that children are being "drugged up" to control their behaviour and improve their school performance is a valid argument, but it is hard to keep going when medication is so in short supply. In the UK there are 2.6 million adults and children who suffer from the condition. However only 200,000 of them are on medication. This figure will likely to grow as the stigma around the condition continues to fade and more people are referred for an ADHD assessment.