Medications For ADHD
Medications can help people with ADHD to concentrate, feel less impulsive and learn new skills. They can also help improve the performance of students and social interactions.
Due to shortages of medication, millions of people are not able to get their medication. Many are rationing their medications or stockpiling. However, a taskforce is working to ease the problem.
Stimulants
The medications used to treat ADHD are usually classed as stimulants, meaning they boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you to control your thoughts and focus on the task at the moment.
Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed type of UK ADHD medication. They are a class of drugs which include the methylphenidate family (such as Ritalin) as well as amphetamine salts (like Adderall). Both work in a different way, however, they both decrease the amount of dopamine released by the brain during an impulse.
In Europe and in the UK, the methylphenidate drug family is the most frequently used. It comprises methylphenidate hydrochloride dimesylate of dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These are available in either short-acting or long-acting forms, or a combination called "immediate release" and "modified release". Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medicines can last as long as twelve hours.
Last year, the government issued an alert to patients warning about shortages of these ADHD drugs. The shortages were caused by both manufacturing problems and an increasing demand in the world. Some products were completely unavailable for a time but supply has since returned.
As non prescription adhd medication uk of ADHD medications increased, more adults could receive these medications. For the first time, adults in England are now receiving these medications more than children. This means that an increasing number women are being diagnosed with ADHD. They are now receiving the same medications as their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 people are prescribed stimulant ADHD medications. This is a tiny portion of the 2,6 million people living in the UK with the condition. The decision to take or not take medication is usually an individual choice. Some people choose to take medication, whereas others opt for therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications available, which have a different effect on the body. This kind of medication boosts noradrenaline in the brain which is a messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This can aid in concentration and lowering of impulses, but it takes a few weeks to affect the brain. This is why non-stimulant ADHD medication often needs to be monitored by a psychiatrist more closely. It's also more expensive than stimulants. However, it is essential for adults to be aware of the options available for them and to discuss it with their GP or ADHD service. They can give more details on the options available for them and their family. This is particularly important, given that the recent shortages in the UK have impacted the availability of these medications.