ADHD medication titration for adults: Preparing for medication

Yes. You can request your GP summary from your GP practice now.

This is one of the most helpful things you can do while you wait, because GP practices can take up to 4 weeks to provide this information.

Once you receive your GP summary, you can upload it to your patient portal straight away.

Yes. You can upload your GP summary as soon as you receive it. You do not need to wait for us to ask for it.

Uploading it early may help avoid delays later, because our clinicians need to review your GP summary before medication titration can move forward.

Your GP summary gives our clinicians important information about your health.

It should include:

• current medication

• allergies

• medical conditions

• relevant health history

This helps us check whether ADHD medication titration is safe and appropriate for you.

We cannot safely move forward with medication titration until this information has been reviewed.

No. Please do not upload screenshots or downloaded information from the NHS App.

We need a GP summary provided by your GP practice. This helps make sure the relevant information is brought together for our clinicians to review.

You can upload it through the Documents section of your patient portal.

1. Log in to your patient portal.

2. Select Documents from the menu on the left-hand side.

3. Select Upload.

4. Choose GP Summary as the document type.

5. Upload your file.

Once uploaded, your GP summary should appear in the Documents section of your portal.

The heart health survey is a short questionnaire about your health and family history.

Some questions can be answered by selecting tick boxes. Other questions may ask you to write a short sentence or two about your personal circumstances.

It usually takes around 5 minutes to complete.

Some ADHD medications can affect your heart.

The survey helps our clinicians understand whether medication is safe and appropriate for you, and whether any additional checks may be needed before treatment begins.

We cannot move forward with medication titration until the survey has been completed and reviewed.

You may find it helpful to have the following information nearby:

• Details of any heart conditions you have been diagnosed with

• Information about any previous heart-related symptoms or investigations

• Details of any vitamins, supplements or non-prescription medicines you take

• Information about any known family history of heart conditions or significant heart-related concerns

• Details of any previous ECGs, if known

You do not need to know every answer. If you are unsure, provide as much information as you can.

That is okay. Please answer as accurately as you can. If there is a free-text box, you can explain that you are unsure.

The important thing is to complete the survey honestly, so your clinician has the best information available.

Not everyone needs an ECG. Your answers to the heart health survey help our clinicians decide whether any additional checks, such as an ECG, may be needed before medication titration can move forward.

If an ECG or another check is needed, we will explain what you need to do next.

Your health measurements help us keep you safe during medication titration.

They give your clinician a clear starting point before medication begins and help monitor how your body responds to medication over time.

These measurements are not just admin. They are part of the clinical information your prescriber uses to make safe treatment decisions.

You will need to provide:

• blood pressure

• pulse

• height

• weight

Please wait until we email you to ask for your first patient health metrics.

The measurements need to be recent, so arranging them too early may mean they cannot be used.

When we are ready for you to submit them, we will email you with clear instructions.

For your first medication appointment, your measurements need to be taken by a healthcare professional.

This could be a:

• GP

• Practice nurse

• Pharmacist

• Other registered healthcare professional

Please ask them to provide either:

• A printed or signed record of the measurements, or

• Documentation showing their name and professional registration number

After your first medication appointment, you can usually take your measurements at home if you have suitable equipment.

You may also be able to use blood pressure equipment available in your GP surgery reception or another healthcare setting, if this is available.

Your clinician needs an up-to-date picture of your health.

Medication can affect people differently. Recent readings help your clinician understand how your body is responding and whether it is safe to continue, adjust or review your medication.

Without accurate and recent health measurements, your clinician may not have the information needed to make safe treatment decisions.

This means your medication appointment may not be able to go ahead safely and may need to be rearranged.

No. ADHD medication is not intended to change who you are.

The aim is to help manage ADHD symptoms, such as attention difficulties, impulsivity or hyperactivity, so daily life may feel more manageable.

You should still feel like yourself. If you ever feel unlike yourself, or feel worried about how medication is affecting you, please tell your clinician.

Some people worry that ADHD medication will make them feel 'flat' or emotionless.

While it can improve focus and reduce impulsivity, which can lead to emotional changes, it shouldn’t numb your emotions. If you notice emotional changes that feel uncomfortable, talk to your clinician about adjusting the dose or trying a different medication.

Like all medicines, ADHD medication can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them.

The most common are:

• loss of appetite

• changes to sleep pattern

Other possible side effects include:

• jitteriness or restlessness

• irritability or mood changes

• headaches or stomach aches

• increased heart rate or blood pressure

These usually happen in the first few days of starting or changing a dose and often settle as your body adjusts. ADHD medication leaves the body quickly, so side effects tend to wear off within a few hours.

If side effects don’t improve, your clinician may adjust the dose or suggest a different medication.

Your clinician will explain possible side effects before you start. If you notice anything that concerns you, please get in touch.

Side effects are also more likely in those that are taking other medications or who have other health conditions so discussing this with your clinician is crucial.

If you are worried about a particular side effect, please discuss this with your clinician before starting medication and this can be taken into account.

If you experience side effects, please contact our team. Your clinician may need to review your medication or adjust the dose. For severe side effects, we recommend calling 111 for advice.

Serious side effects are not expected for most people, but side effects can happen. This is why we complete safety checks before medication starts and continue monitoring during titration.

Your clinician will review your medical history, heart health information and health measurements before prescribing.

If you notice any side effects, please contact our team so we can support you. Your clinician may need to review your medication or adjust the dose to help manage the symptoms.

Some side effects can improve after a few days but if they persist, exploring this with your clinician to ensure that there is the correct balance between benefits and side effects is important.

If you experience severe or worrying side effects, we recommend calling NHS 111 for immediate advice, or calling 999.

ADHD medications are not addictive when taken as prescribed, but they can lead to dependence if misused.

It’s important to work closely with your clinician to ensure you’re using the medication correctly.

Many adults find that medication helps them build better routines and focus, and over time, they may need less of it or even stop it entirely.

Your clinician will monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

It is completely normal to feel unsure or have questions. Starting medication can feel like a big step. Titration is designed to be gradual and carefully monitored, so your clinician can work with you to find the safest and most effective approach.

You can talk to your clinician about any worries before medication starts.

You do not need to do everything at once.

Small, manageable steps can help. You may want to:

• Request your GP summary

• Read your assessment report

• Write down any questions for your clinician

• Notice which symptoms you most want support with

• Explore one or two recommendations from your assessment report

• Watch our ADHD video playlist for support and ideas

As you move through the medication pathway, we will email you when we need information from you.

The information we request is used by clinicians to make safe decisions about treatment.

Responding promptly helps avoid unnecessary delays and means we can arrange appointments as soon as you reach the top of the medication waiting list.

Keep a journal of your symptoms, maintain a healthy diet and sleep routine, and regularly communicate with your clinician. You might want to let someone close to you know that you are starting medication so that they can support you if needed.

It can also help to set realistic expectations about the time it may take to find the right dosage or medication so that you do not feel rushed.