Adult ADHD Medication

Medication will help around 90 percent of those with diagnosed ADHD. If you are being held back by symptoms of the disorder, then it is very likely medication will be helpful.

ADHD medication is regulated and must be started by a specialist, usually a consultant doctor (psychiatrist or paediatrician). Sometimes other prescribers with additional training can also become ADHD specialists. They commonly work under the supervision of a consultant doctor.

ADHD medication is regulated in the UK and therefore can only be started and monitored by a ‘specialist prescriber’. Therefore, your GP cannot start the medication

Medication for ADHD is only licenced for those with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD.

ADHD medication can in rare cases affect blood pressure and heart rhythm. Therefore, if you have any history of cardiac problems these would need to be considered. Sometimes people will need a check of the heart rhythm called an ECG before starting the medicine.

People with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety need to carefully consider the risks and benefits of ADHD medications as in some cases it can make things worse.

ADHD medications are very safe, but there are risks, including weight loss, slow growth in children and a slight increase in some mental health conditions. For most people with moderate to severe ADHD symptoms the risks are outweighed by the benefits.

You should notice that you are able to focus and complete tasks more easily. People describe a feeling of calm, and that they are able to think more clearly. Some people notice that they can remember things more easily. If you feel that there is an unhelpful change to your energy levels or ‘personality’, the dose can be adjusted downwards.

If you take stimulant medication, many people will notice the ‘wear off’ effect when the medicine runs out at the end of the day. This can range from a few minutes to an hour or more of tiredness or mood change as your brain adjusts.

Stimulant medication can cause weight loss by supressing your appetite and slightly increasing metabolism. It is unusual but possible that weight gain can occur if individuals feel very hungry and eat a lot in the evenings when the medicine wears off. Usually, any concerns about weight changes are manageable with small adjustments to eating routines.

As medication is the recommended treatment for moderate to severe ADHD, it is likely that you will be prescribed medication. The main reason for not starting is if other conditions need to be treated first. In an extended consultation the options for alternatives (such as anxiety treatment) can be considered.

If you start medication, then typically between 1 and 3 follow-ups (a month apart) are necessary to get the dose right.

Once the dose is stable, you will need to be seen for follow up after three months. This is because sometimes side effects can take some time to emerge and also some people find their response to the medicine changes over time

Young people under 18 require 6 monthly appointments to monitor the medication and adults must be seen yearly to meet the prescribing regulations.

Some people will have done lots of research about the types of medication and have a preference. This preference will form part of the decision making about the treatments offered.

As this is a private service you will have to pay for the medicine at the pharmacy. The cost of ADHD medicine typically ranges from £20 to £80 monthly.

As part of your ADHD care, sometimes melatonin is offered for poor sleep. If there are coexisting mental health conditions the psychiatrist may advise that those are treated prior to considering ADHD medications.

Shared care is an agreement between a specialist and a GP that the GP will issue NHS prescriptions in between reviews. GP surgeries have different policies about these agreements. We have a high rate of acceptance due to the quality of the care we are providing, however, due to the number of new diagnoses, some GP practices are not able to take on any extra work or responsibility. It is best to discuss this in advance with your GP.

If your GP does not accept shared care, we will continue to provide monthly prescriptions. There is an admin fee for this service, and you would continue to pay for the medication in the pharmacy as it will be on a private prescription.

Currently, ADHD medication supply is not meeting demand. We work with a private pharmacy that can source medication more flexibly than the NHS can, so up until now private patients have continued to have access to medication. However, stock levels change rapidly, and this cannot be guaranteed. Stimulant medication does not have to be taken every day, and in fact it is good for you to have breaks from it, so if you do have a disruption in supply, it is not dangerous, but it can be very inconvenient. If this affected you, we would advise on alternative options.

There are other ways to treat ADHD. These include ‘brain-training’ and ‘coaching’. However, medication is safe and effective for those with moderate and severe symptoms and can be “life-changing”.

Stimulant medication does not need to be taken every day. In fact, many people with ADHD benefit from a more flexible approach. It is usually recommended that children use medication on school days and take breaks over weekends and holidays.