ADHD Titration Information
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD can bring a mix of relief, validation, and uncertainty. At ISC-CARE, we provide trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care that goes beyond the diagnosis—supporting you with structure, tools, and guidance to help you thrive.
Considering Medication?
Following your ADHD diagnosis, you may choose to begin medication. This starts with a titration phase—a structured 12-week period where our prescriber works with you to identify the right medication and dosage through regular reviews (typically every 28 days).
Although therapy is not required during titration, we highly recommend it. Therapy provides a space to adjust emotionally, build coping strategies, and strengthen resilience. Many clients find that combining medical and therapeutic support creates the most effective, balanced start to ADHD treatment.
What is ADHD Titration?
Titration is the process of safely finding the right ADHD medication and dosage for you. Everyone responds differently to medication, so this step-by-step approach allows our prescribers to monitor progress, check for side effects, and make careful adjustments.
At ISC-CARE, our titration programme usually takes place over 12 weeks, with three structured prescriber sessions. During these reviews, we will assess how the medication is working, whether the dosage needs to be changed, and how you are managing day-to-day.
What to Expect from Titration
For many people, three sessions are enough to find an effective medication and dose that supports focus, reduces symptoms, and feels manageable.
For others, titration may take a little longer. Some people need additional sessions to explore alternative medications or fine-tune the dosage.
For some individuals, medication may not provide the desired results, or side effects may outweigh the benefits. In these cases, we will guide you through other treatment options, including therapy and lifestyle strategies.
No matter the outcome, our focus is always on providing safe, ethical, and supportive care, tailored to your needs.
Our Approach
We believe medication is only part of the picture. Alongside titration, we encourage therapy to support emotional adjustment, resilience, and long-term success. Many clients find that the combination of medical and therapeutic support provides the most effective start to their ADHD journey.
Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and empowered—whether or not medication turns out to be the right choice for you.
ECG Requirement
All clients who wish to begin medication must also have had an ECG within the last 3 months. This can usually be requested from your GP, and we are happy to help facilitate the request. If your GP is unable to provide an ECG promptly or declines, we can carry out the test at our Liverpool clinic for £40.
An ECG is an essential part of the process, as it helps to identify any underlying heart issues that could make stimulant ADHD medications unsafe. This ensures your treatment is both effective and safe from the very beginning.
Options and Pricing
We are committed to keeping our services accessible and ethically priced.
ECG (If not available through GP): £40
Titration Package (3 prescriber sessions): £390 + ( £30 P&P) for each prescription (paid upfront)
Titration + Therapy Package (3 prescriber + 3 therapy sessions): £510 + ( £30 P&P)
One-off Titration Session: £145
Individual Therapy Session: £65
Therapy Package (6 sessions): £340
The Prescribing Team
Dr Luisa Searle - Consultant Psychiatrist - GMC Registration 6122230
Navinder Dhesi - Pharmacist Prescriber - GPhC Registration 2064595
Darren McCabe - RN NMP - NMC Registration 12E0827E
After Titration: Shared Care
Once you are stable on medication, we may be able to initiate a Shared Care Agreement with your GP. This allows your NHS GP to take over prescribing, while ISC-CARE continues to provide ADHD reviews every six months.
Shared Care setup fee: £50
Reviews every 6 months: £120
We currently support approximately 400 Shared Care Agreements across the UK, though each GP practice has the right to decide whether to accept private shared care. We recommend checking in advance with your GP.
If Shared Care is declined, prescriptions can continue privately through us:
Private prescription: £35 (max 28-day supply)
Ongoing reviews: £120 every 6 months
Therapy at ISC-CARE
We believe ADHD is a difference, not a deficit. Therapy provides the tools to reframe challenges, improve self-esteem, and build lasting strategies for everyday life.
Our CBT-informed therapy can support you with:
Managing executive dysfunction
Building emotional resilience
Reducing anxiety and overwhelm
Next Steps
If you would like to begin titration or therapy, please reply to this email or contact our team and we will get you booked in.
If you are feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, remember—we are here to help, whether you need clarification, support, or simply a listening ear, please reach out to one of the team on - 0151 3160470
(Please note: Titration appointments are available only to existing ISC-CARE clients who have received a formal ADHD diagnosis and completed the required medical checks, including ECG and provision of their GP summary.)
ADHD Medication Options After a Positive Diagnosis
If you receive a positive diagnosis of ADHD, medication may be one of the treatment options discussed with you. Medication is not mandatory, and for many people it is used alongside psychological therapy, coaching, workplace or academic adjustments, and lifestyle changes.
This page explains the main medication options for ADHD, including stimulant and non-stimulant treatments, how medication is prescribed and monitored, and what happens if standard treatments are not effective or suitable.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulant medication is the most commonly prescribed and evidence-based treatment for ADHD. Despite the name, these medicines work by helping key parts of the brain regulate attention, impulse control, and activity levels.
Stimulant medications increase the availability of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are neurotransmitters involved in focus, motivation, and executive functioning.
Common stimulant medications
Methylphenidate-based medications
Examples include: Ritalin, Equasym, Medikinet, Concerta XL
Often the first medication offered, particularly for children and young people
Lisdexamfetamine / Dexamfetamine
Examples include: Elvanse, Dexedrine
May be offered if methylphenidate is not effective or causes side effects
How stimulant medication is used
Started at a low dose
Gradually increased during a titration period
Effects and side effects are closely monitored
Dose is tailored to the individual
Possible benefits
Improved concentration and attention
Reduced impulsivity
Better emotional regulation
Improved organisation and task completion
Possible side effects
Reduced appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Headaches
Increased heart rate or blood pressure
Anxiety or irritability (usually dose-related)
Not everyone experiences side effects, and many settle as the dose is adjusted.
Non-Stimulant Medications
Non-stimulant medication may be considered if:
Stimulants are ineffective
Side effects are not tolerated
There are medical reasons stimulants are not appropriate
Non-stimulants tend to work more gradually and may take several weeks to reach full effect.
Common non-stimulant medications
Atomoxetine (Strattera)
A selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor
Often used when stimulants are not suitable
Requires consistent daily dosing
Guanfacine (Intuniv)
More commonly used in children and adolescents
Can help with emotional regulation, impulsivity, and sleep
Possible benefits
Steadier effect across the day
Less risk of sleep or appetite disruption
Useful where anxiety or tics are present
Possible side effects
Fatigue or sedation
Low blood pressure
Nausea
Mood changes
Medication Titration and Monitoring
All ADHD medication is prescribed following careful assessment and medical review.
Titration involves:
Regular follow-up appointments
Monitoring of symptoms and functioning
Monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and side effects
Adjusting dose or medication where needed
Once a stable dose is achieved, shared care with a GP may be considered where appropriate.
If Standard Medication Options Are Not Effective or Suitable
In some cases, individuals may find that:
Two different ADHD medications have been tried
Adequate titration has taken place
Benefits are limited or side effects outweigh improvements
Where this occurs, further options may be discussed as part of a specialist-led review, considering the person’s full clinical picture.
Medical Cannabis (Specialist Consideration Only)
Medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment for ADHD and is not routinely prescribed.
In the UK, it may only be considered:
After at least two appropriate treatment attempts with standard ADHD medications
Where treatments have been ineffective or not tolerated
Following a specialist assessment
Through a licensed specialist prescribing pathway
The evidence base for cannabis in ADHD is limited and still developing, and it is not recommended by NICE as a standard treatment.
Any discussion around this option would focus on:
Risks and benefits
Legal and regulatory considerations
Individual health factors
Alternative non-pharmacological approaches
Making an Informed Choice
Medication decisions are always collaborative. At ISC-CARE, we support clients to:
Understand all available options
Weigh benefits and risks
Make informed choices that fit their needs, values, and circumstances
If you have questions about ADHD medication, titration, or next steps following a diagnosis, our clinical team will be happy to discuss this with you.
Contact us
You can reach us by email, phone, or by completing the contact form below. A member of our team will respond promptly — typically within one working.
Telephone - 0151 3160470
Email - info@isc-care.co.uk