We know how important getting your medicines is. You may be offered the choice between taking a treatment break or changing your medication to one that is not currently affected by the supply shortage. The change in medication may mean you are taking medication more often throughout the day, or that they are tablets instead of capsules.

The CYPNP will liaise closely with your GP as needed, and work together to minimise disruption. There may be temporary changes to how and where you collect your prescription or medication.

Once the supply shortage has been resolved medication will be changed back to the medicine previously prescribed, as appropriate. Please be aware that there may still be delays at Pharmacies in obtaining the newly prescribed medication.

• Check with multiple pharmacies including chains and independents regarding their stock.
• Check with your pharmacy what strengths of the prescribed medication are available, so that you can ask your prescriber to do a new prescription with the available strength to make up the total dose.
• Visit NHS Find a Pharmacy to find Pharmacies in your local area.
• Ask them if they can order it for you to collect once the medication is in. You may leave the prescriptions with your local pharmacy who can order in the drug once stock is replenished.

• Please consult your GP prescriber for guidance if you think you are running out of medication.
• NICE guidelines recommend having regular treatment breaks from ADHD medications.
• It is not unusual to stop taking medication over the weekend or during school holidays. Therefore, no harm should come from stopping the medication, but this should be done in a planned way.
• If you are prescribed Guanfacine (Intuniv) please contact the ADHD service (01823 342692) and this medication must be stopped slowly as it can cause your child’s blood pressure to increase if stopped suddenly. Consult your ADHD service as soon as possible if you cannot get your prescription from the pharmacy. If you have stocks at the home of Intuniv 2mg and 1mg please conserve them to use for dose decrements (after discussing with the prescriber) rather than using them to administer the prescribed dose.
• Atomoxetine can be abruptly stopped but advisable to gradually wean off. Please contact the GP prescriber for advice.
• All the other medications are safe to be stopped abruptly and there should be no physical withdrawal effects, however, the child/young person may feel different. You can give these medications during school days only if possible so that you can reserve the stocks longer.

• Note that if your child has recently commenced on ADHD medications and is not under the Shared Care yet your prescriptions should be obtained from the specialist team.
• Families should reach out to schools to ensure they are aware if their child or young person is not on their usual or any medication.
• Children or young people should maintain school attendance and not be kept at home.
• All children and young people will react differently to a change or reduction in their medication.
• It is essential during this time that non-pharmacological strategies are fully utilised. This will include maintaining routine, sleep hygiene and good nutrition.
• Structure and routine are important strategies in all children and young people’s lives, but even more important with children who are neurodiverse. Doing the same things daily will help with working memory and will also aid in allowing a child or young person with ADHD to make better choices in all areas of life.
• Children and young people may have a change in behaviour, it is important to recognise that this is not a choice for them and kind, supportive response is necessary.
• Punishments can lead to low self-esteem, lead to arguments, and be counterproductive.
• Praising and rewarding success is MUCH more effective than punishment.

• Listen carefully in a non-judgemental and validating manner, Children and young people may feel emotionally different whilst medication is being changed or reduced.
• Be prepared for them to need to discuss things for longer periods during this time.
• Have realistic expectations and acknowledge that a lot of effort is required to manage their ADHD symptoms.

These are important strategies in all children and young people’s lives, but even more important with children who are neurodiverse. Doing the same things daily will help with working memory and will also aid in allowing a child or young person with ADHD to make better choices in all areas of life.

• Whilst consequences are important, punishing negative behaviour is problematic.
• Children and young people may have a change in behaviour, it is important to recognise that this is not a choice for them and a kind, supportive response is necessary.
• Punishments can lead to low self-esteem, lead to arguments, and be counterproductive.
• Praising and rewarding success is MUCH more effective than punishment.

• Listen carefully in a non-judgemental and validating manner, children and young people may feel emotionally different while medication is being changed or reduced.
• Be prepared for them to need to discuss things for longer periods during this time.
• Have realistic expectations and acknowledge that a lot of effort is required to manage their ADHD symptoms, this includes movement breaks and meeting sensory needs.