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What ADD/ADHD medications are available in Europe?


I am a college student and rely on my medication (Adderall) to treat my ADD, with which I was diagnosed many years ago. I am studying abroad in Spain for about five months and am unsure how to obtain medication once I'm there.

In the US, doctors are unable to prescribe Schedule II medications (stimulants, etc.) beyond a months' dosage, so I can't stock up. I am also aware ADD and ADHD are not widely accepted as psychological disorders in Europe, and Adderall is not approved for prescription.

So, I need to consider my medication options in Europe. Not medicating is not an option for me-- I've tried it and it would be an academic disaster for me.

According to a website in England, here are some of their findings that I hope helps:
Medication

The most commonly used medications for treating AD/HD are described as follows*:

STIMULANTS: Methylphenidate, (brand names Ritalin and Equasym), Dexamphetamine (brand name Dexedrine) and Pemoline (only available in the UK on a named patient basis following the Committee of the Safety of Medicine's concern of the incidence of liver toxicity. It should only be prescribed in specialist units.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS: Imipramine and Nortriptyline

ANTIHYPERTENSIVES: Clonodine and Carbamazepine

Only Methylphenidate (Ritalin or Equasym) or Dexamphetamine (Dexedrine) should be used in most generic mental health and paediatric services; the other drugs are unlicensed for this indication and should be reserved for specialist centres.

*See p.7 of the FOCUS report 'The Use of Stimulants in Children with ADHD - Primary Evidence-Base Briefing', published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Research Unit, London, 1999. (available from IPS).

A second important resource on Methylphenidate is the recently published National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) report, available on the Internet.

Hope this helps! Check out the site for more detailed info.

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