ADHD Medication
Following your ADHD assessment, if you receive a diagnosis of ADHD and medication is recommended by one of our prescribing consultants as part of your treatment plan, please note that medication must initially be issued on a private prescription.
ADHD medication can be expensive. You should expect to pay your chosen pharmacy approximately £50-£150 for a one-month supply of medication; however, costs vary between pharmacies and may occasionally be higher.
Most commonly prescribed ADHD medications in the UK are Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs and are therefore subject to additional prescribing and monitoring requirements. Prescribing decisions are made in line with national guidance and controlled drug regulations. GPs are usually unable to prescribe ADHD medication until you have been stabilised on an optimal dose and only where a Shared Care Agreement has been accepted by your GP practice (see below).
When you first begin ADHD medication, there is typically a period of dose adjustment and, in some cases, a change to an alternative medication. This is known as medication titration and will be overseen by your prescribing consultant.
Medication titration
When starting ADHD medication, and unless you experience significant side effects or wish to speak directly with your prescribing consultant, the initial titration process may be supported via secure email communication with our service.
During titration, you will be advised what physical health monitoring (for example, blood pressure, pulse and weight) is required and how to submit these readings safely to the clinic. You will be asked to provide regular feedback to your prescribing consultant, including reporting any common side effects such as:
- changes in appetite
- changes in sleep pattern
- headaches
- abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- palpitations, anxiety, or nervousness
- changes in weight and/or blood pressure
You are responsible for ensuring requested physical health checks are completed and submitted to the clinic as advised.
Your feedback will be clinically reviewed by your prescribing consultant, who will advise you of any concerns and any recommended changes to your treatment plan.
Important: If you experience severe side effects (such as chest pain, fainting, severe mood changes, or thoughts of self-harm), seek urgent medical attention via NHS 111, your GP, or emergency services (999).
Repeat prescriptions issued during the titration period do not incur a prescription writing fee. Once you are stabilised and wish to continue on the same dose of your medication, you may request a repeat prescription using the following link: www.adhdandautismclinic.co.uk/prescriptions/
A prescribing fee applies to repeat prescriptions following stabilisation. Prescription request fees are available on our Fees & Payment page (Fees & Payment – ADHD & Autism Clinic).
Shared Care Agreements
Once you have been maintained on the same dose of medication for approximately three months and have reported no significant side effects, you should arrange a follow-up appointment with your prescribing consultant to review ongoing stability. Current follow-up fees are available on our Fees & Payment page (Fees & Payment – ADHD & Autism Clinic).
If your consultant is satisfied that your treatment is stable and clinically appropriate for shared care, they may write to your GP to request a Shared Care Agreement.
Shared Care Agreements are formal arrangements between healthcare providers that set out how your treatment and monitoring will be managed and are subject to clinical appropriateness and GP agreement.
Please note: Acceptance of shared care is always at the discretion of your GP practice.
Important information about Shared Care
The ADHD and Autism Clinic is a CQC-registered, non-NHS-commissioned private practice.
Some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which manage NHS budgets and work with local NHS providers such as hospitals and GP practices, do not support Shared Care Agreements between NHS prescribers and non-NHS-commissioned private providers.
We strongly recommend that, before proceeding with your assessment, you contact your GP practice to check whether they would be willing in principle to consider a Shared Care Agreement with our clinic should medication be recommended.
If your GP practice does not enter into shared care with us, you may continue to obtain ADHD medication privately through our service, subject to appropriate clinical review and prescribing.
Alternatively, once you receive your diagnostic report, you may ask your GP to refer you to local NHS ADHD services. Please be aware that NHS waiting times can be significant, and NHS services may require further assessment and titration before considering shared care.
Ongoing care and monitoring
If your GP agrees to a Shared Care Agreement, your medication will usually be issued via NHS prescription through your GP’s repeat prescription service. You will normally be required to pay the standard NHS prescription charge per item unless you hold a valid exemption or prepayment certificate.
We will inform you of the outcome of any shared care request.
All patients prescribed ADHD medication — whether under shared care or continuing with private prescriptions — are required to attend regular clinical reviews.
You will be asked to attend:
- an annual ADHD medication review, and
- additional follow-up appointments if clinically indicated
This monitoring is in line with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and supports the safe and effective use of ADHD medication.
Your consultant may recommend earlier review if you or your GP report concerns, if side effects occur, or if there are changes in your clinical circumstances.
Current fees for annual reviews and follow-up appointments are available on our Fees & Payment page (Fees & Payment – ADHD & Autism Clinic).