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Adult ADHD Medication in the UK In the UK In the UK, the NHS has guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in adults. Referrals to the adult ADHD specialist clinic quadrupled during the pandemic. Both stimulants and non-stimulants are used to treat ADHD. Methylphenidate is a popular medicine to help manage symptoms of ADHD as are two amphetamine-based medications known as dexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. Stimulants The most common kind of medication used to treat adult ADHD is stimulants. These medications increase the activity in the brain regions that control attention and behavior. They are fast-acting and are frequently the first choice of GPs. Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin is the most frequently prescribed stimulant for adults and children. This drug boosts the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. It increases attention span, and decreases the impulsivity and hyperactivity. It can also reduce depression and anxiety, which can co-occur with ADHD. In the past, stimulant substances have been used medicinally and for recreational purposes, to enhance cognitive function, motivation, performance, and mood. They include nicotine and caffeine, amphetamines modafinil, methylphenidate, and cocaine. These substances are used to control appetite and increase energy levels. However, they may also have negative psychological and physical consequences if they are taken in large quantities. There are a number of different drugs used to treat adults with ADHD, and a psychiatrist will usually carefully titrate the doses on each person they see. They will also take into consideration any other medical conditions that a patient may be suffering from, and the effects of the medication on their sleep patterns. They will also consider the effects of medication on the patients' lifestyle and diet. A large network meta-analysis, conducted by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre and Stichting Eunethydis, has found that the drug lisdexamfetamine (commonly referred to as Adderall) is more efficient than other stimulants in reducing symptoms of ADHD. It is recommended by NICE and is available in the UK on prescription. Despite the positive evidence however, there's a stigma associated with the use of medication to treat ADHD, with unhelpful framings that compare it to child abuse and compare it to controlled substances. This makes many unwilling to seek an assessment, or even to consider taking medication for their condition. As adhd and anxiety medication of people referred to NHS mental health services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, so too did the number of adults receiving treatment for ADHD. Adult ADHD referrals are now more than those for children. Boys are still more likely to receive ADHD treatment, but the number women receiving it has quadrupled in just the past two years. Unlicensed Medication There are a variety of medicines that can be prescribed to treat ADHD in both adults and children. These include stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate, and occasionally the more recent amphetamine-based drug Lisdexamfetamine. These are classified as 'controlled medications' because they are addictive and abuse. Your psychiatrist will only prescribe them if they think they are the best option for you as part of your treatment. You will receive an official prescription that you can pick up at your local pharmacy. The pharmacist will explain to you that this prescription is for a monthly supply of drug. In some instances, your doctor may decide that the medicines available to them are not suitable for you, and may recommend an unlicensed medication. This is a decision that is made on a case-by-case basis. Your psychiatrist should only recommend non-licensed medications as a last option. It is important to keep in mind that even though medication is an integral part of treatment for ADHD, talking therapy is equally important. Medicine can aid in managing your symptoms, but therapy can work at changing long-standing negative coping mechanisms as well as behaviour patterns. Medication used to treat ADHD in adults has to be licensed in the UK with a license known as marketing authorisation (MA) that will define the specific health conditions it is approved for. This will include the age of the people who are treated and the method by which the medication should be taken. The MHRA will review any IMP prior to its release and the manufacturer is only permitted to promote it under their MA, except if they have a specific licence to market paediatric medicines. This is when a medication has been approved for a child but a psychiatrist believes it is appropriate to prescribe it to an adult. This is also called off label prescribing. It is also possible to create”manipulated products” – where the pharmacist creates a formulation for an individual patient by mixing ingredients, for instance in the event that they are unable to take tablets. Some psychiatrists have voiced their displeasure at the over-prescription of psychoactive drugs to treat mental health problems, including ADHD. Licensing In the UK, a number of treatments are available to treat ADHD for adults. These include a number of stimulant medications, including methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the newest amphetamine-based medication Lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse). These are typically offered to patients who have been diagnosed with the condition by psychiatrists. The treatment is prescribed as capsules and the patient should be closely monitored by their doctor to determine the appropriate dosage. There are other methods to manage and treat the condition, in addition to medications. For example, behavioural therapy can help people to understand the root cause of their symptoms and create strategies to combat these. Environment-related changes can aid in reducing the impact that their symptoms can have on their day-to-day lives. This includes arranging seating arrangements at work or school or at home, scheduling frequent breaks for movement and providing 'I need a break' cards, and cutting down on the amount of distractions and noise. The medications that are approved to treat ADHD in adults in the UK are not intended to be an effective cure, but they can significantly improve the quality of life for many people suffering from the condition. However, they are not a magic bullet and should only be used as part of a holistic care plan that includes psychoeducation and psychiatric care. It is important that any patient of the potential of becoming pregnant undergoes an examination for pregnancy prior to starting medication and inform their GP immediately in the event that they become pregnant or wish to become pregnant. Patients should also talk to their GP for any adverse effects or if they don't feel they are benefiting. A national patient safety alert concerning the shortage of methylphenidate prolong-release tablets, guanfacine extended-release tablets, and lisdexamfetamine capsules was issued on 27 September 2023. It was replaced by a Medicine Supply Notification (MSN) on May 8, 2024. The MSN lifted restrictions on prescribing Elvanse capsules and advised ADHD services to resume the initiation of treatment. how to get adhd medication uk is a Schedule 2 controlled drug so it is prescribed by an authorized doctor and is subject to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. The guidelines recommend that an ADHD patient be evaluated annually by a healthcare professional with expertise and training in managing the disorder. This can be done in primary or secondary care, depending on local arrangements. This review should include monitoring for heart rate and blood pressure as well as a discussion on the need for ongoing treatment, as well as ongoing monitoring and assessment of symptom improvement. Side Effects ADHD medication is safe and generally well accepted by adults, but it is not a cure for the condition. It can reduce symptoms of behavioural disorders and improve quality of life. It can also improve working, learning and relationships. It is important that anyone who is beginning treatment be aware of any possible adverse side effects. They should discuss these with their physician prior to starting the medication. Some of the side effects include headaches, insomnia and an increase in appetite. Certain medications can raise your heart rate. It is usually harmless and mild, but it is important to tell your doctor if there is an history of heart disease or heart problems. The effects of stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This alters how the brain receives and transmits messages and improves attention and focus. These are the first-line treatment of adult ADHD. Nonstimulant medicines like buproprion and atomoxetine are available, but they perform more complex actions on the brain and take longer to begin working. The latter works by blocking dopamine reuptake by nerve cells and assists with concentration. Research suggests that about half of children diagnosed with ADHD get rid of their symptoms by adulthood. This may be because they learn to manage their symptoms, or because they are less hyperactive. Many of them continue to struggle with a world that was not built to meet their needs. This is why Nice recommends doctors prescribe ADHD drugs only when they are necessary and keep monitoring patients on a regular basis. There are a number of other ways to help with ADHD symptoms, such as lifestyle changes and psychoeducational therapies. These can be used alongside medication to reduce the need for GPs to refer patients suffering from ADHD to specialist services. The stigma that surrounds ADHD can make it difficult to be open about treatment and many adults are reluctant to admit that they take it to their family, friends or employers. There is increasing evidence that talking about the condition and raising awareness of its symptoms can help overcome barriers to treatment.