Prescription requests
At Child Psychiatry Consultancy, we specialize in mental health support, for ADHD and other psychiatric conditions. We customize medication plans to improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance emotional health. We provide thorough evaluations and ongoing support to ensure appropriate treatment. Our goal is to empower families to manage ADHD challenges confidently, prioritizing your child's mental health. We are here to assist you throughout the process.
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Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medicine for ADHD. It belongs to a group of medicines called stimulants, which work by increasing activity in the brain, particularly in areas that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.
Methylphenidate may be offered to adults, teenagers and children over the age of 6 with ADHD.
Methylphenidate is only available on prescription. It comes as standard (immediate release) tablets and capsules and slow release (also called extended, modified or prolonged release) tablets and capsules.
Some children may need to take both slow release and standard methylphenidate to help improve their ADHD.
It's best to stick to the same brand, particularly if your child has slow release methylphenidate. Different brands work differently in how they release the medicine into the body, and this can affect how they work to manage your child's symptoms.
Common side effects of methylphenidate include:
a small increase in blood pressure and heart rate
loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain
trouble sleeping
feeling aggressive, irritable, depressed, anxious or tense
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Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that stimulates certain parts of the brain. It improves concentration, helps focus attention and reduces impulsive behaviour.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD if at least 6 weeks of treatment with methylphenidate has not helped.
Dexamfetamine is similar to lisdexamfetamine and works in the same way. It may be offered to adults, teenagers and children over the age of 5 with ADHD.
Dexamfetamine is usually taken as a tablet 2 to 4 times a day, although an oral solution is also available.
Common side effects of dexamfetamine include:
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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 aid concentration and help control impulses.
Atomoxetine may be offered to adults, teenagers and children over the age of 6 if it's not possible to use methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
Atomoxetine has been linked to some more serious side effects that are important to look out for, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
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Guanfacine acts on part of the brain to improve attention, and it also reduces blood pressure.
It may be offered to teenagers and children over the age of 6 if it's not possible to use methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
Guanfacine is usually taken as a tablet once a day, in the morning or evening.
Common side effects include:
tiredness or fatigue
headache
abdominal pain
dry mouth
ADHD Shared Care & Prescribing: What You Need to Know
Why does this matter?
Many patients ask if their GP can take over prescribing ADHD medication after a private assessment. The answer depends on local NHS policy, which varies across England.
What is “shared care”?
Shared care means your GP prescribes your medication on the NHS.
Your specialist (NHS or private) continues to monitor your ADHD and provide updates.
This arrangement requires an official shared care agreement between your GP and your ADHD specialist.
Current situation
Some NHS areas (called Integrated Care Boards, or ICBs) only allow shared care with NHS-commissioned ADHD services.
This means if you were assessed privately, your GP may not be able to take over your prescription.
In some regions, GPs can enter shared care with private or “Right to Choose” providers, but this is not universal.
What this means for you
Your ADHD care will always remain safe — we will not leave you without support.
If your GP cannot accept shared care, we can continue prescribing privately.
If policies change, or if our service gains NHS commissioning, we’ll update you immediately.
What you can do
Check your local ICB policy — ask your GP or look on your ICB’s website.
Bring any letters or reports from us to your GP to support discussions.
Keep regular follow-up with us so your treatment stays safe and effective.
Our commitment
Provide your GP with clear clinical information.
Support you with continuity of care.
Be transparent about what is and isn’t possible under current NHS rules.
Note for patients: This is a national issue, not specific to you or your GP. We’re working with NHS
commissioners to make shared care more widely available.
The charity AADD-UK has a list of support groups across the UK, including groups for adults, parents and carers.