Medications For ADHD
Medication can help people with ADHD concentrate, feel less impulsive and also learn new skills. They can also help improve social interactions and school performance.
But millions of people with the condition are struggling to get their medicine due to shortages. Many are storing up or rationing items. A taskforce is working to help ease the situation.
Stimulants
Medications used to treat ADHD are generally classified as stimulants, which means they boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you to control your thoughts and focus on the task at being done.
Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed form of UK ADHD medication. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included within this group. Both drugs function in a different way however, they both decrease the amount of dopamine that is released in the brain during an impulse.
In best medication for adhd and in the UK The methylphenidate drug family is the most commonly used. It comprises methylphenidate hydrochloride dexamfetamine dimesylate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. They are available as short acting or long-acting medicines or as an amalgamation of both called 'immediate ' release and modified release. Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medications can last for up to twelve hours.
Last year the government issued a nationwide patient safety alert advising of the upcoming shortage of these ADHD drugs. This was due to both manufacturing issues and increased global demand. Certain products were out of stock for a while but they are now available again.
As the supply of these ADHD medications improved and more adults were able receive them. This means that for the first time ever more adults than children are getting these drugs in England. As a result, more women are being diagnosed with ADHD. They are receiving the same medication as their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults are on stimulant ADHD medications. But, this is just a tiny portion of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK who have the condition. The choice to take or not take medication is usually a personal choice. Some people prefer to take medications, whereas others prefer therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and they have a different effect on the body. This kind of medication boosts noradrenaline in the brain, which is a kind of messenger chemical that transfers information between nerve cells. This medication can aid in concentration and reduce impulses. However it takes several weeks for the effects to take place in the brain. It is also more expensive than stimulants. It is nevertheless important that adults are aware of their options and can discuss the options with their doctors or ADHD services. They will be able to provide further information on what options are available for parents and children. This is particularly important, due to the recent shortages in the UK have affected the availability of these medicines.