Managing ADHD medication and prescriptions

Summary: ADHD medication affects everyone differently. Lots of people notice real improvements in their focus and attention levels. Side effects are common at first but usually settle quickly. Medication is flexible – you take it for as long as it's useful to you 

• What to expect when you start medication

• Managing your medication

• Planning for the longer term

• How to request a repeat prescription

• How to pay for your prescriptions

• Breakdown of costs

• How to contact our partner pharmacy FAQs 

This article only applies to patients diagnosed with ADHD, or ADHD together with other conditions like autism – where treatment is often different.  

Starting ADHD medication is different for everyone. Many people notice real improvements in focus, impulse control, and attention. Some find their thoughts feel less overwhelming and easier to manage. 

You might also notice some side effects at first, like headaches or changes in your appetite. These should ease off as your body gets used to the medication.  
You can find out more about side effects here. 

• Keeping a diary
  Keep a diary of how you're feeling, what dose you're on, and when you take it. This gives you and your clinician a clearer picture of your progress and makes it easier to fine-tune your medication.

• Switching medications
  If you’d like to switch medications, bring it up with your clinician at your next appointment. They’ll look at how your current treatment is going and talk you through your options. If you don’t have a review booked or would like an extra appointment sooner, you can arrange an individual medication review (free for NHS patients, £140 for private patients) by contacting us on 020 4525 0709.

• If you feel unwell
  In rare cases, ADHD medication can affect your mood or anxiety levels. If you notice anything significant, we recommend that you stop taking your medication immediately and contact us or your GP. If the changes aren’t significant, and it’s safe to wait, you can stay on your medication and raise this at your next appointment. We’re not a crisis service, but if you’re struggling, there are ways to get help today. 

• ADHD medication is flexible
  ADHD medication is there to support you when you need it – there's no obligation to take it forever. How long you take it is entirely your decision, and depends on your circumstances and how well it’s working for you.

• Finding the right medication use for you
  Some people find it genuinely transformative and choose to take it long-term. Others only use it during busier or more demanding periods – like exams, a hectic stretch at work, or a stressful life event. And some people pause or stop once they feel on top of their symptoms without it.

• Consulting a clinician
  Your clinician will review your treatment at regular intervals to make sure it's still working for you. If you're thinking about permanently stopping or changing your medication, always speak to a clinician first – they will safely guide you through any changes. 

Once you’ve found the right medication and dose for you, you can request a repeat prescription by completing our medication request form. Private patients pay a £20 prescription fee and pay the cost of the medication to our partner pharmacy. 

Our prescribing clinicians review all prescription requests. They take the time to:   

• Check your request – they review the information you share with us to make sure nothing has changed in your health that could affect your medication.

• Oversee clinical safety – ADHD medications are controlled drugs, so prescribing them safely is something we take seriously.

• Write and issue the prescription – once everything's checked, we'll send it to the pharmacy 

Alternatively, you can book a separate consultation with a clinician to review your medication and request a prescription during this appointment. 

As part of our titration service, we'll also send a shared care agreement to your GP. If your GP agrees, you'll be able to get prescriptions at the NHS rate once titration ends – even if you went through titration privately. For full details on how shared care works, see our article on shared care.  

If you request a prescription from us, we’ll then share this with our partner, Pharmacy by Cure Clinics. They’ll contact you to arrange payment and delivery of your medication. Once they receive payment, they’ll send your medication to you. 

Pharmacy by Cure Clinics usually sends a payment link via email. If you haven’t received this within a week of your prescription being issued, please check your spam or junk folder. If there’s no email there, we recommend contacting them directly: contact@pharmacy.cureclinics.uk , 01772 500 424. 

If you've been referred via your GP, titration and annual reviews are fully funded by the NHS – you won't be charged for these. You'll only pay the standard NHS prescription rate for your medication (currently £9.90 per item, or free if you're eligible). Check to see if you're eligible for free prescriptions here. 

If you're paying for treatment privately: 

• Full Titration Pathway: £599 is the fee for 12 weeks of specialist titration from our clinicians. This doesn’t include the cost of medication itself.

• Cost of medication: This amount varies depending on your medication and dose. On average people pay between £75–£160 per month. This is paid directly to our partner pharmacy, which is independent of us.

• Annual or ad hoc medication reviews: £140. Please note – this still applies as a private patient with shared care in place.

• Post-titration prescription fee: £20 per prescription, plus the cost of medication. You might be able to access your repeat prescriptions via your GP at NHS costs (£9.90).

• Rescheduling of missed appointments: £75 for a missed titration appointment, £150 for a missed assessment appointment 

For medication pricing, please contact our partner pharmacy directly by either emailing contact@pharmacy.cureclinics.uk or calling 01772 500 424. 

How long will my medication take to arrive? 

As long as payment goes through promptly, you can usually expect your medication within a week of your prescription being processed – whether that's following a titration appointment or after completing the medication request form. 

What if I run out of medication? 

If you're running low and don't have a review booked, submit a request via our medication request form. You can also book an extra consultation with a clinician to review your medication and get a new prescription in the same appointment. 

I'm pregnant or planning a pregnancy – what should I do? 

For your safety and that of your baby, we can't provide ADHD medication treatment during your pregnancy. We’ll be happy to carry on with your treatment after you’ve given birth. If you’ve already started treatment, please speak to your prescribing clinician as soon as possible. For more information, please see here.