adhd medication For ADHD
Medication can help people suffering from ADHD concentrate, feel less impulsive and also learn new skills. They can also improve the quality of their interactions with others and improve school performance.
Due to the shortages, millions of people are unable to obtain their medications. Many are stockpiling or rationing items. However, a taskforce is working to ease the problem.
Stimulants
Medications used to treat ADHD are generally classified as stimulants, which means they increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you control your impulses and focus on the task at the moment.
The stimulants are the most commonly used kind of ADHD medication used in the UK. The methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and amphetamine-salts (such Adderall) families are included within this group. Both drugs function in a different manner, but both reduce the amount of dopamine released in the brain during an impulse.
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 or long-acting medicines or as an amalgamation of both known as 'immediate release and modified release. Short-acting tablets typically last for two to three hours, while modified release medications can be taken for up to 12 hours.
Last year the government issued a national patient safety alert warning of shortages of these ADHD medications. This was due to both manufacturing issues as well as the increase in global demand. Some products were unavailable for a while, but now supplies are available again.
As the availability of ADHD medications increased, more adults could get these medications. This meant that for the first time, more adults than children are getting these drugs in England. There is also a growing number of women diagnosed with ADHD as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and they are now being given these drugs as well as their male counterparts.
In the UK, more than 200,000 adults receive stimulant ADHD medications. This is only a small part of the estimated 2,6 million people living in the UK who suffer from the condition. For many, the decision of whether or not to take medication is a personal one. Some people prefer to take medication, whereas others opt for therapy.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications with a different effect on the body. This type of medication raises the levels of noradrenaline in the brain. Noradrenaline acts as a messenger chemical that transmits information between nerve cells. This medication can aid in concentration, and lower impulses. However it takes several weeks for the effects to begin to manifest in the brain. It is also more costly 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 additional guidance on what options are available for parents and children. This is particularly important due to the fact that the availability of these medications has been impacted by the recent shortages across the UK.