Medications For ADHD
Medications can help people with ADHD to focus, reduce impulsivity and acquire new skills. They can also enhance school performance and social interactions.
But millions of people with the disease are struggling to obtain their medication because of shortages. Many are storing or rationing their items. A taskforce is attempting to ease the situation.
Stimulants
The drugs used to treat ADHD are classified as stimulants. This means that they increase the levels certain chemicals within the mind. This assists your brain focus and stop you acting on impulses.
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed type of UK ADHD medication. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included in this group. Both drugs function in a different way but they both reduce the amount of dopamine released by the brain during an impulse.
In Europe and in the UK in the UK and Europe, the methylphenidate family is the most frequently used. It includes methylphenidate Hydrochloride, dexamfetamine dimesylate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. They are available as short-acting or long-acting medications, or as a combination of the two called 'immediate ' release and modified release. Short-acting tablets usually last between two to three hours, while modified release tablets are able to be used for up to 12 hours.
Last year the government issued a national patient safety alert advising of the upcoming shortage of these ADHD medication. This was due to both manufacturing issues and increased global demand. Certain products were out of stock for a time, but supplies have now been restored.
As the supply of these ADHD medications improved, more adults were able to receive them. This meant that for the first time, more adults than children are getting these medications in England. There is also an increasing number of women diagnosed with ADHD due to the COVID-19 epidemic and are now being treated with these medications as well as their male counterparts.
More than 200,000 adults are now being treated with a stimulant ADHD medication in the UK. This is only a small part of the estimated 2,6 million people in the UK who suffer from the condition. The decision to either take or not take medication is often an individual choice. adhd medication uk choose to take medications, whereas others prefer therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medicines available with a different effect on the body. This kind of medication boosts the levels of noradrenaline in the brain. Noradrenaline acts as a messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This medication can improve concentration and reduce impulses. However it takes a few weeks for the effects to be felt in the brain. It is also more expensive than stimulants. However, it is essential for adults to be aware of the options available to them and to discuss this with their GP or ADHD service. They will be able to provide additional guidance on the options available for parents and children. This is particularly important given that the recent shortages in the UK have affected the availability of these medicines.