Packaging for Elvanse/Lisdexamfetamine

Packaging, including empty bottle and the package leaflet, for Elvanse/Lisdexamfetamine 40mg, a medicine used to treat ADHD, made by Takeda, 2023

Around 1 in 25 people in the UK have ADHD. The impact of the condition varies from person to person, but common symptoms include issues with impulse control, focusing, and organisation. This stimulant medication is commonly used in the UK to help manage these symptoms. There is no cure for ADHD, but many people find medication to be an essential tool, even if it used alongside other tools, such as workplace accommodations and lifestyle changes. Scientists do not know exactly what causes ADHD, but stimulant medication like this works by making the brain producing more of specific neurotransmitters. Finding the right medication often involves a period of trial and error, involving both different drugs and different doses of those drugs.

Research shows, there is no difference in the prevalence of ADHD between different genders and races. However, it is and has historically been underdiagnosed in women and people of colour. Many people also report that it can be very difficult to access ADHD services in the UK. In October 2023, an ITV News and ADHD UK investigation found that the average wait time for a referral is three years in the UK.