A Step-By-Step Guide To ADHD Medication
How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It is sometimes difficult to get prescriptions for ADHD medication due to a shortage. This is true for all pharmacies as well as doctors.
You should access your evaluation via the 'Right to Choose option if you wish to avoid lengthy wait times. Your local mental health service will require a copy of an upcoming specialist ADHD review prior to prescribing.
Stimulants
In the UK in the UK, stimulants are among the most frequently prescribed drugs to treat ADHD. They are effective by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow the brain communicate) in the brain. They are extremely efficient and can assist with many of the issues that arise from living with ADHD. However, like all medications they can have side effects so open communication is essential with your GP about how you are feeling and any changes in treatment that might be required.
Stimulant medicine is best suited to adults, but it can also be utilized by adolescents and children. There are a variety of stimulant medications available. The most popular include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) amphetamine salts and dexamfetamine (Dexamethasone). There is also the atomoxetine (Prozac) however, it is only licensed for use by children 8 and over.
They are typically started with low doses and then gradually increased over a few days. This is called titration and allows for adjustments to be made as you get to understand the effects of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will consider the adverse effects encountered and collaborate with you to determine a dose that works well for you, while minimizing side adverse effects.
It can take a while to determine the proper dosage of stimulant ADHD medications, but it's crucial to remain on the right track as long term use is necessary. Having regular appointments with your GP and keeping in close contact about any side effects can ensure that the ideal balance is achieved.
The current titration process for ADHD medications is currently only done by specialist psychiatrists, however this may change. In the interim, GPs have been advised not to prescribe stimulant medication to new patients until the shortage is over.
You can support the fight for a better diagnosis and access to medication 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.
The majority of pharmacies sell stimulants, that are frequently prescribed psychiatric drugs. They are typically prescribed as tablets and are available either as an immediate-release or extended-release drug. Extended- managing adhd without medication are taken once a day, in the morning. They can last up to eight hours. Many people will take a second dose of their extended-release medication along with an immediate-release medication in the mid to late afternoon to ensure that they have a constant supply of their medication throughout the day.
It is difficult to support the claim that ADHD medication is over-medicalised and that children are "drunk up" to manage their behavior and improve their performance in school. In the UK there are 2.6 million adults and children with the condition. However only 200,000 are taking medication. This figure is likely to increase as the stigma associated with the condition diminishes and more people are being referred for an ADHD assessment.