Medications For ADHD
The use of medication can help those with ADHD focus, be less impulsive and also learn new abilities. They can also help improve school performance and social interactions.
However, millions of people suffering from the disease are struggling to obtain their medications due to shortages. Many are stockpiling or rationing supplies. However, a taskforce is working to solve the issue.
Stimulants
The drugs used to treat ADHD are categorized as stimulants. This means that they boost the levels of certain chemicals that are present in the brain. This allows you to manage your impulses and focus on the task at hand.
The stimulants are the most commonly used kind of ADHD medication prescribed in the UK. They are a group of drugs which include the methylphenidate family (such as Ritalin) and the amphetamine salts family (like Adderall). They function in different ways, but they both of them work by reducing the amount of dopamine that is released by the brain when you experience an impulse.
In Europe and the UK, the methylphenidate drug family is the most widely used. It includes methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and the lisdexamfetamine. These drugs are available in short-acting or long-acting forms or in a combination known as "immediate release" and "modified release". Short-acting tablets typically last for two to three hours, while modified release tablets can be taken for up to 12 hours.
The government last year issued a national safety alert advising of the upcoming shortage of these ADHD drugs. This was due to both manufacturing issues and a rising global demand. Some products were unavailable for a while however, now they are back in stock.
As the supply of ADHD medication increased, more adults were able to take these medications. This meant that for the first time more adults than children are getting these medications in England. As a result, an increasing number women are being diagnosed with ADHD. They are now receiving the same medication as their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults receive stimulant ADHD medication. However, this is just a tiny fraction of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK with the condition. For many, the choice of whether or not to use meds is a decision that is personal. Some individuals choose to go down the medication route, whereas others choose to pursue therapy and never need or want to take medication.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and they have a different effect on the body. This type of medication increases noradrenaline levels in the brain, which is a kind of messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This can help improve concentration and reduce the frequency of impulses, but it takes a few weeks to be effective on the brain and this is the reason why non-stimulant ADHD medications are often required to be monitored by a psychiatrist more closely. best adhd medication for adults 's also more expensive than stimulants. It is still important that adults are aware of their options and talk about them with their GPs or ADHD services. They can also provide more information on the options available to them and their family. This is especially important, due to the recent shortages in the UK have impacted the availability of these drugs.