Optimal efficacy
Titration ensures the medication is working effectively to manage ADHD symptoms, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
ADHD medication for adults
This page provides information about ADHD medication and titration for adults diagnosed through our NHS Right to Choose service. The purpose is to give you all the information you need to help you make an informed decision about whether titration with Clinical Partners is the right option for you.
About our ADHD Right to Choose titration service
In September 2024, we expanded our services to include medication titration for people diagnosed with ADHD through our NHS Right to Choose service. If you received a diagnosis from us and you are interested in titration, we will contact you by email to offer you a place on our waiting list.
We will work through our waiting list in order of appointment date, prioritising people who received their diagnosis the earliest.
You don't need to contact us. If you received an ADHD diagnosis through our NHS Right to Choose service, we will send you an email containing a link to confirm your interest. Once you've clicked the link, you will be automatically added to our waiting list.
What is titration?
If you need medication, titration is the process that ensures the medicine your clinician prescribes is right for you. The goal is to find the dose of medicine that controls your ADHD symptoms with the fewest side effects.
You’ll likely be prescribed a low dose at first, but this may be raised gradually until the effective target dose is reached. This approach limits potential side effects by allowing time to see how you react to the medicine.
Why titration is important
Working with a specialist over time and making adjustments where required will help reach the optimal medication to help effectively manage your ADHD symptoms.
Minimised side effects
By gradually adjusting the dosage, healthcare professionals aim to minimise or manage side effects, such as insomnia, decreased appetite, or increased heart rate.
Personalisation
ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Titration will help us tailor the treatment plan to your specific needs.
How ADHD titration works
1
Initial medication appointment
Your first appointment usually lasts about 50 minutes, during which we will discuss your treatment goals, symptoms, and medication options. We will also review any relevant physical health information.
2
Follow-up titration appointments
You will then usually need several 30-minute appointments. In these sessions, your clinician will monitor you while you are trialling different dosages and, potentially, different types of medication. Once we have established the most appropriate medication and dosage, we will pass your future prescriptions to your GP.
3
Monitor medication
Once you are stabilised on the medication, your GP will monitor your physical health. However, we will invite you back at least once per year for a comprehensive review, during which we will see how you've responded to the medication and make any necessary adjustments.
FAQs
Waiting times vary depending on demand, but you will be kept informed about your place on the waiting list. Our waitlist will be worked through fairly and equitably; this means people who were assessed and diagnosed first will be seen first.
If you received your ADHD diagnosis in 2022 or 2023, we will contact you towards the end of 2024.
If you were assessed from January - June 2024, you will likely wait at least six months before we can offer you an appointment. If you were assessed from July 2024 onwards, it may be 12 months before we contact you.
The duration of titration varies from one person to another but usually takes between two and four months, depending on how quickly the right medication and dosage are found.
No. We are currently only offering titration to people diagnosed with ADHD via our Right to Choose service. If you were diagnosed elsewhere, we cannot add you to our waitlist.
While medication works well for many people with ADHD, others find non-medication strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments extremely helpful. Many people find the best results come from a combination of medication and behavioural strategies.
We can only treat adults once their GP has confirmed they are happy for us to begin titration and undertake shared care. We are actively contacting GPs of people interested in titration to seek this confirmation. Not all GPs accept shared care agreements for ADHD, so we must get this confirmation before we can proceed.
Shared care is a formal agreement between your GP and the specialist provider who is monitoring or treating your condition. In this instance, the agreement will allow us to manage your titration appointments. Once you are stabilised on the medication, your GP will monitor your physical health. However, we will invite you back at least once per year for a comprehensive review with a specialist clinician. This is why it's called a shared care agreement.
If your GP declines, we will not be able to start ADHD medication for you. In this instance, we suggest speaking with them to understand their reasons and explore other treatment options, perhaps with a different provider.
The clinician managing your ADHD titration will write the prescriptions while you have titration appointments with us. Once on shared care, your GP will write the prescriptions.
You can collect the prescription at your usual nominated pharmacy. You will be charged the usual NHS prescription charge when you collect your medication.
Yes, you will still have annual check-ups with us to review your overall treatment. If adjustments to your medication are needed, your clinician will manage those changes.
Once shared care begins, your GP and your Clinical Partners clinician will monitor how you will respond to the medication at least once per year. If any adjustments or a different medication are needed, your Clinical Partners clinician will oversee this to ensure that any changes are carefully managed and monitored.
You may need to see your GP for physical check-ups, such as blood pressure or weight monitoring, as part of your medication management. These appointments help ensure your health is not negatively affected by the medication.
Our ADHD service, which includes assessments and titration appointments, is funded by the NHS through its Right to Choose service. This means you can receive the support and care you need, and the process is provided by NHS funding.
Yes, you will pay the usual NHS prescription charge unless you qualify for free prescriptions.
The agreement will usually stay in place unless your condition changes and you require additional treatment or support. For example, if there are significant changes in someone's health, they may be returned to specialist care for closer monitoring and adjustment.
No. In the UK, ADHD medication must be initially prescribed by a specialist, typically a psychiatrist or a specialist ADHD clinic. Once you are stabilised on medication, your GP will continue to prescribe your medication and monitor your physical health for the duration of your treatment.