Medications For ADHD
Medications can help people with ADHD to concentrate, feel less impulsive and learn new skills. They can also improve the social interactions and school performance.
Due to the shortages of medication, millions of people are not able to get their medication. Many are storing up or rationing items. But a taskforce is trying to solve the issue.
Stimulants
The drugs used to treat ADHD are classified as stimulants. This means they increase the levels certain chemicals within the mind. This helps you to control your impulses and concentrate on the task at the moment.
The stimulants are the most commonly used type of ADHD medication used in the UK. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included in this category. Both work in a different manner, but both reduce the amount of dopamine that is released in the brain during an impulse.
In Europe and the UK in the UK and Europe, the methylphenidate family is the most commonly used. It includes methylphenidate Hydrochloride, dimesylate of dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine. These are available in short-acting and long-acting formulations or a combination of "immediate release" and "modified release". Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medications can last for up to twelve hours.
In the year 2000, the government issued a national patient safety alert 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 out of stock for a while but they are now back in stock.
As the supply of ADHD medications improved and more adults were able access them. For the first time adults in England are now receiving these medications more often than children. There is also an increasing number of women who have been diagnosed with ADHD due to the COVID-19 epidemic and are now being treated with these drugs as well as their male counterparts.
More than 200,000 adults are being treated with a stimulant ADHD medication in the UK. However, this is still only a small percentage of the estimated 2.6 million people in the UK with the condition. The decision to either take or not take medication is often an individual decision. Some people choose to take medication, whereas others opt for therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medication options, which have a different impact on the body. This type of medication increases noradrenaline in the brain which is a messenger chemical that passes information between nerve cells. This medication can help with concentration, and also reduce the amount of impulses. However it takes a few weeks for the effects to be felt in the brain. It's also more expensive than stimulants. However, adhd medications is essential for adults to be aware of the options available for them and to talk about this with their GP or ADHD service. They will be able to give further guidance on the available options for them and their families. This is particularly important considering that the availability of these drugs has been impacted by the recent shortages across the UK.