ADHD medicines

There are 5 types of medicine that can be used to treat ADHD in the UK. These medicines can help you feel more relaxed, focus better, be less impulsive and learn and practise new skills to help you better manage your ADHD symptoms. We’ll work with you to decide which medicine is suitable for you.

Methylphenidate is the most common ADHD medicine. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, especially in areas that control attention and behaviour.

Atomoxetine works differently from other ADHD medicines.

It's a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which means it increases the amount of a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline.

This chemical passes messages between brain cells, and increasing it can help concentration and impulse control.

If we can’t prescribe methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine, we may offer atomoxetine instead.

Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that stimulates certain parts of the brain. It improves concentration, helps focus attention and reduces impulsive behaviour.

It may be prescribed if you’ve used methylphenidate for at least 6 weeks and it hasn’t helped.

Dexamfetamine is similar to lisdexamfetamine and works in the same way on the brain.

Guanfacine acts on part of the brain to improve focus, and reduces blood pressure. If we can’t prescribe methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine or atomoxetine, we may offer guanfacine instead if appropriate.

Side effects

Like with all treatments, these medicines can have some side effects. The most common ones are loss of appetite, headaches, mood changes, nausea and trouble sleeping, which can improve after the first couple of weeks of taking the medicine.

Different medicines may have other side effects – the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine will have all the information you need to know, including possible side effects.

Using your medicine

If we prescribe one of these medicines, you’ll likely start with small doses at first which may then slowly increase. How often you need to take them depends on the type of medicine – some need to be taken every day, while others can be taken less frequently.

Throughout treatment, we’ll have regular check-ups with you to monitor your progress and keep your GP updated. We’ll also check for any signs of side effects or issues – it’s important to let us know if you experience any problems, or if you feel you want to change or stop your treatment.

We’ll discuss with you how long to take treatment for, but in many cases, you can continue for as long as it’s helping.

When you’re on a stable and effective dose, we’ll ask your GP to take over prescribing your medicine. We’ll share more information about this process with you during your appointment.

Other treatment options

Other ADHD treatments not offered by Boots Digital Health include therapies such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), social skills training and behaviour therapy.

Some people also find cutting out certain foods or taking supplements helpful. However, there’s no strong evidence that these work, and you should speak to your GP before trying any of these options. In general, people with ADHD should aim to eat a balanced, healthy diet.