How to Get ADHD Medication in the UK
It is sometimes difficult to get prescriptions for ADHD medication due to shortages. This is a problem for all pharmacies and doctors.
If you'd like to delay waiting, select the 'Right to choose" method to access your evaluation. Before prescribing ADHD medication or a treatment, your local mental health provider might require a recent ADHD specialist review.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the medications most commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in the UK. They help by increasing the quantity of various neurotransmitters in the brain - chemicals that enable the brain to communicate. They are highly efficient and can ease many of the issues that come along with living with ADHD. As with all medications, they can have side negative effects. It is essential to communicate with your GP about how you feel and if any changes are needed in treatment.
Stimulant medication works best for adults, but it 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 (Prozac) however, it is only approved for use by children 8 and older.
They are usually introduced with low doses and then gradually increased over several days. This is called titration, and it allows you to adjust your dosage as you discover the effects of the medication on your child or adult. The psychiatrist will consider the adverse effects observed and assist you in finding the dose that is most effective for you, while minimizing any side negative effects.
It could take a while to determine the proper dosage of stimulant ADHD medication however it is essential to stay on track because long-term use is required. Regular appointments with your GP and keeping in close contact about any side effects will ensure that the ideal balance is achieved.
At present, titration of ADHD medications is only undertaken by specialist psychiatrists, however this could change. In the meantime, GPs are advised not to start new patients on any stimulant medication until the supply is over.
You can support the fight for a better diagnosis and access to medications by writing to your GP asking them to refer you to an assessment. buy adhd medication online can also download and print the support letter from ADHD UK that you can send to your GP.
Most pharmacies sell stimulants, which are widely prescribed psychiatric medications. They are typically prescribed in the form of tablets and can be taken either as an immediate-release or extended-release drug. Extended-release medicines are usually used once per day in the morning. They can last for up to eight hours. Many people supplement their extended-release medication 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.
The argument that ADHD is a condition that requires a lot of medication and that children are being "drugged up" to manage their behaviour and improve their school grades has some merit but it's difficult to keep going when medication is so scarce. There are estimated to be 2.6 million children and adults suffering from the condition in the UK but only around 200,000 of them are currently on medication. This figure is likely to rise as the stigma surrounding the condition fades and more people are referred for an ADHD assessment.