Medications For ADHD
Medications can help people with ADHD to focus, feel less impulsive and learn new skills. They can also help improve school performance and social interactions.
Due to the shortages of medication, millions of people aren't able to access their medication. Many are rationing their medications or stockpiling. A taskforce is working to ease the situation.
Stimulants
Treatments for ADHD are typically classified as stimulants. This means they boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This allows your brain to concentrate and stop acting on impulses.
The stimulants are the most popular type of ADHD medication that is prescribed in the UK. They are a category of medications that comprise the methylphenidate family (such as Ritalin) as well as amphetamine salts (like Adderall). Both drugs function in a different manner, however, they both decrease the amount of dopamine that is released in the brain when an impulse occurs.
The methylphenidate medication family is the most frequently used in Europe and the UK. It includes methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and Lisdexamfetamine. They are available as short-acting or long-acting medicines or as a combination of the two known as 'immediate release' and'modified release'. Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. adhd and medication can last up to twelve hours.
In the last year the government issued a warning to patients about the possibility of shortages of these ADHD drugs. The shortages were caused by manufacturing issues as well as an increased global demand. Certain products were not available for a period of time but they are now back in stock.
As the supply of these ADHD medications increased and more adults were able access these medications. For the first time, adults in England are receiving these medications more often than children. There is also a growing number of women diagnosed with ADHD as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and are now being treated with these medicines as are their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults are on stimulant ADHD medications. However, this is still just a tiny portion of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK with the condition. The choice to take or not take medication is often an individual decision. Some people prefer to take medication, while others choose to seek 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 the noradrenaline levels in the brain. Noradrenaline acts as a messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This medication can aid in concentration, and also reduce the amount of impulses. However, it takes several weeks for the effects to begin to manifest in the brain. It's also more expensive than stimulants. It is nevertheless crucial that adults are aware of their options and can discuss these with their GPs or ADHD services. They can give more details on the options available to them and their families. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the availability of these medications is being affected by recent UK-wide shortages.