The four ADHD medications prescribed in the UK are methylphenidate (Concerta XL, Ritalin, Medikinet, Equasym XL), lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse), atomoxetine (Strattera), and guanfacine (Intuniv). They are available under more than a dozen brand names in immediate-release and modified-release formulations. This page covers all of them.
ADHD medications fall into two categories. Stimulants (methylphenidate and amphetamines) increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. They work within 30 to 60 minutes and the effects are noticeable on the first day. Non-stimulants (atomoxetine and guanfacine) work through different mechanisms and take several weeks to reach full effect. They must be taken every day without breaks.
Stimulants are recommended as first-line treatment by NICE. Non-stimulants are typically prescribed when stimulants are ineffective, cause significant side effects, or are clinically unsuitable.
Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication in the UK. It is available in immediate-release tablets (taken 2 to 3 times daily) and several modified-release formulations (taken once daily in the morning). All methylphenidate formulations contain the same active molecule but differ in how they release it through the day.
Short-acting tablets taken 2 to 3 times daily. Peak effect within about 2 hours. Fast onset but requires multiple doses through the day. Tablets can be crushed or cut. Useful for fine-tuning timing but requires more management.
Doses: Ritalin 10mg. Medikinet 5mg, 10mg, 20mg.
Capsules taken once daily in the morning. These use a 50/50 split of immediate-release and extended-release beads, creating a bimodal release profile (two peaks). Contents can be sprinkled on yoghurt or apple sauce for children who have difficulty swallowing.
Doses: Medikinet XL 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg. Equasym XL 10mg, 20mg, 30mg. Ritalin XL 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg.
Tablets using the OROS osmotic pump system. A 22% immediate-release coating provides initial effect, then the remaining 78% is released gradually through a laser-drilled hole over 10 to 12 hours. Creates a slowly-rising plateau rather than a sharp peak. Tablets must not be crushed or broken. All OROS brands listed here are pharmacologically equivalent to Concerta XL.
Doses: 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, 54mg (all brands).
OROS generic brands. Matoride XL, Xaggitin XL, Delmosart XL, Xenidate XL, and Affenid XL all use the same OROS delivery system as Concerta XL. They are therapeutically equivalent. Your pharmacy may dispense any of these depending on availability. There are ongoing supply shortages affecting several of these brands. ADHDose supports all of these formulations. If your pharmacy switches your brand, the app models the same concentration profile because the PK is identical.
Two amphetamine-based medications are prescribed in the UK: lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and dexamfetamine (Amfexa). Both produce d-amphetamine as the active molecule, but they differ in how quickly it reaches the brain.
A prodrug that converts to d-amphetamine in the bloodstream. The conversion process creates a slow, smooth onset (peak at about 4 hours) and a long tail (half-life approximately 10 hours). Taken once daily. The extended duration means medication is still active late into the evening, which can affect the wind-down window for sleep.
Doses: 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg, 70mg.
Also known as: Vyvanse (US, Canada), Venvanse (EU). Same molecule, different brand name.
The same active molecule as Elvanse but absorbed directly rather than as a prodrug. Faster onset (peak at about 2.5 hours), shorter per-dose duration. Typically prescribed 1 to 3 times daily. The 10-hour half-life means levels from a morning dose are still significant when a second dose is taken at midday.
Doses: Amfexa 5mg, 10mg, 20mg.
Note: The UK uses the spelling dexamfetamine (no 'p'), following MHRA convention.
Non-stimulants work differently from methylphenidate and amphetamines. They do not produce an immediate noticeable effect. Instead, they build up over weeks to provide steady, around-the-clock coverage. They cannot be used with medication breaks and must be tapered rather than stopped abruptly.
Works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine. Takes 4 to 6 weeks to reach full effect. Available as capsules and liquid. Active 24 hours a day. Half-life varies significantly by genetics: approximately 5 hours in most people (extensive metabolisers), but up to 22 hours in poor metabolisers (about 7% of Caucasians).
Doses: 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg, 100mg.
UK prescribing note: NICE guidelines and most UK prescriptions use the generic name atomoxetine rather than the brand name Strattera.
Works through alpha-2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex, not the dopamine pathway. Takes 2 to 4 weeks to reach full therapeutic effect. Should not be taken with a high-fat meal (increases absorption by up to 75%). Currently only licensed for ages 6 to 17 in the UK, though off-label adult use occurs.
Doses: 1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 4mg.
ADHDose handles stimulant and non-stimulant medications differently because they work differently.
For stimulant medications (methylphenidate and amphetamines), ADHDose models the pharmacokinetic concentration curve hour by hour. You can see when your medication is building, when you reach peak, when the wear-off begins, and when your levels have dropped enough to start winding down for sleep. For multi-dose medications like Ritalin IR, each dose is modelled separately and the curves are combined.
For non-stimulant medications (atomoxetine and guanfacine), there is no daily curve to model because the medication provides continuous coverage. Instead, ADHDose focuses on daily tracking: focus, mood, sleep, and adherence patterns over time. This data becomes especially useful during the initial weeks when you and your specialist are assessing whether the medication is reaching full effect.
| Medication | Type | Duration | Dosing | UK brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate IR | Stimulant | 2-4h | 2-3x daily | Ritalin, Medikinet |
| Methylphenidate MR (bimodal) | Stimulant | 6-8h | 1x daily | Medikinet XL, Equasym XL, Ritalin XL |
| Methylphenidate MR (OROS) | Stimulant | 10-12h | 1x daily | Concerta XL, Matoride XL, Xaggitin XL, Delmosart XL, Xenidate XL, Affenid XL |
| Lisdexamfetamine | Stimulant | Up to 14h | 1x daily | Elvanse |
| Dexamfetamine | Stimulant | Up to 6h | 1-3x daily | Amfexa |
| Atomoxetine | Non-stimulant | 24h | 1x daily | Strattera (generic: atomoxetine) |
| Guanfacine | Non-stimulant | 24h | 1x daily | Intuniv, Paxneury (generic: guanfacine) |
For detailed information on individual medications, see our medication guides:
Elvanse · Concerta XL · Ritalin · Medikinet · Dexamfetamine
For related topics:
Best time to take Elvanse · Does Elvanse affect sleep? · Concerta XL vs Elvanse · What happens when you miss a dose · Right to Choose for ADHD in the UK
ADHDose models the concentration curve for stimulant medications and tracks daily patterns for non-stimulants. Free on Android.
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