Medications For ADHD
Medicines can aid people suffering from ADHD to concentrate, be less impulsive and learn new skills. They can also improve the social interactions and school performance.
how does medication for adhd work to the shortages of medication, millions of people aren't able to access their medications. Many are rationing their medications or stockpiling. A taskforce is attempting to help ease the burden.
Stimulants
Medications used to treat ADHD are usually classed as stimulants, which means they increase the levels certain chemicals in the brain. This helps you control your impulses and concentrate on the task at hand.
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 group. Both work in a different way however, they both decrease the amount of dopamine released by the brain when an impulse occurs.
The methylphenidate family of medications is the most frequently used in Europe and the UK. It includes methylphenidate Hydrochloride, dexamfetamine dimesylate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate. They are available as short acting or long acting medications, or as an amalgamation of both known as 'immediate release' and'modified release'. Short-acting tablets last between two and three hours. Modified release medicines can last up to twelve hours.
In the year 2000, the government issued a national patient safety alert warning of shortages of these ADHD medication. types of adhd medication resulted from both manufacturing problems and an increase in global demand. Certain products were out of stock for a period of time however, supplies have since been restored.
As the supply of ADHD medications increased, more adults could get these medications. For the first time adults in England are now receiving these medications more frequently than children. In the process, an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with ADHD. They are receiving the same medications as their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults receive stimulant ADHD medications. But, this is 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 usually an individual decision. Some people choose to take medication, while others opt for 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 noradrenaline in the brain which is a kind of messenger chemical that passes information between nerve cells. This can help with concentration and decrease of impulses, however it takes a few weeks to have an effect on the brain and this is the reason why non-stimulant ADHD medications are often required to be monitored by a psychiatrist more closely. It is also more expensive than stimulants. It is nevertheless important that adults are aware of their options and can discuss them with their GPs or ADHD services. They can provide additional guidance on the available options for their families and for them. This is particularly important considering that the availability of these drugs is being affected by recent shortages across the UK.