How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It is sometimes difficult to obtain prescriptions for ADHD medication due to shortages. This affects all doctors and pharmacies.
If you want to delay waiting, choose the 'Right to Choose" option to get your assessment. Your local mental health clinic will require details of an upcoming specialist ADHD review before prescribing.
Stimulants
In the UK stimulants are the most frequently prescribed drugs to treat ADHD. They are effective by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters (chemicals that enable brain cells to communicate) in the brain. They are highly efficient and can ease many of the difficulties that come along with living with ADHD. As with all medications they may cause adverse effects. It is important to inform your GP what you are feeling and if any adjustments are required in your treatment.
Stimulant medicine is best suited to adults, but can also be utilized by adolescents and children. They are available in a number 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 above eight years of age.
They are usually started with low doses and gradually increased over a few weeks. This is called titration and allows for adjustments to be made as you come to know the effect of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will take into consideration the adverse effects observed and work with you to find the dosage that works for you, while minimizing side effects.
It may take some time to find the appropriate dosage of stimulant ADHD medications, but it's important to stay on track because long-term usage is required. Regular visits with your GP will help you find the appropriate balance.
The current titration process for ADHD medications is currently only done by psychiatrists who specialize in this area, but this may change. In the meantime, general practitioners are advised not to begin new patients on any stimulant medication until the shortfall is over.
You can support the fight for a more accurate diagnosis and easier access to medication by asking your GP to refer you for an assessment of your medical condition. You can also print and download the letter of support from ADHD UK to give to your GP.
Most pharmacies sell stimulants which are commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. They are usually prescribed as tablets and can be taken either as an immediate-release or an extended-release drug. Extended-release medicines are prescribed every day in the morning and can last up to eight hours. click the up coming webpage will take a second dose of their extended-release medication along with an immediate-release medication in the afternoon, between mid and late afternoon, to ensure they have a steady supply of their medication throughout the day.
It is difficult to support the claim that ADHD medication is over-medicalised, and that children are 'drugged up" to control their behaviour and improve their grades in school. There are thought to be 2.6 million adults and children with the condition in the UK but only around 200,000 of them are currently on medication. This number is likely to rise as the stigma around ADHD diminishes and more people are being referred to an ADHD assessment.