Medications For ADHD
The use of medication can help those with ADHD focus, be less impulsive, and develop new skills. They can also improve the performance of students and social interactions.
However, millions of people suffering from the disease are struggling to obtain their medications because of shortages. Many are stockpiling or rationing items. A taskforce is working to help ease the situation.
Stimulants
The medications used to treat ADHD are categorized as stimulants. This means they increase the levels certain chemicals within the mind. This allows you to manage your thoughts and focus on the task at the moment.
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed form of UK ADHD medication. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included in this category. Both drugs work in a different manner, but they both reduce the amount of dopamine that is released in the brain during an impulse.
The methylphenidate family of medicines is the most frequently used in Europe and the UK. It includes methylphenidate as well as dexamfetamine and Lisdexamfetamine. They are available as short acting or long-acting medications or as an amalgamation of both called 'immediate ' release' and'modified release'. Short-acting tablets generally last about two to three hours, while modified release tablets can be taken for up to 12 hours.
In the last year the government issued an alert to patients about the possibility of shortages of these ADHD drugs. This was due to both manufacturing issues and increased global demand. Some products were unavailable for a time however, now they are available again.
As the availability of these ADHD medications improved, more adults were able receive these medications. For the first time adults in England are receiving these medications more frequently than children. There is also an increasing number of women who have been diagnosed with ADHD as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and they are now receiving these medicines as are their male counterparts.
In adhd medication ritalin than 200,000 adults receive stimulant ADHD medication. However, this is still just a tiny fraction of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK with the condition. The decision to take or not take medication is often an individual choice. Some individuals choose to take the route of taking meds, while others opt for therapy and may never need or want to take medication.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications available that have a different impact on the body. This type of medication raises the noradrenaline levels in the brain. Noradrenaline is a chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This can help improve concentration and lowering of impulses, however it takes a few weeks to affect the brain. This is why non-stimulant ADHD medication is often required to be monitored by psychiatrists more closely. It is also more expensive than stimulants. It is nevertheless important that adults are aware of their options and discuss them with their GPs or ADHD services. They can provide more information on the options available to them and their family. This is especially important in light of the fact that the availability of these medications has been impacted by the recent UK-wide shortages.