Reporting side effects during ADHD medication titration

At ProblemShared, we are here to support you through your ADHD medication journey. While we are not an emergency service, it’s still very important that you keep your prescribing team informed of any side effects you experience during titration. 

What to do if you experience side effects

Mild and expected side effects

Some side effects are common during titration and not usually a cause for concern. These include:

• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty getting to sleep

These symptoms are easily managed, and we recommend discussing them with your prescriber at your next scheduled review.

Serious side effects that need to be reported sooner

In some cases, side effects - while still non-emergency - may impact your titration and should be reported to your prescribing team as soon as possible. These include:

• A significant increase in anxiety
• Noticeable changes in your mood
• Feeling very agitated or confused
• Severely disturbed sleep
• Suicidal thoughts

These could be signs of very rare but more serious conditions, such as:

Serotonin syndrome – symptoms may include:

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Muscle rigidity or twitching
• Loss of coordination

Psychosis – symptoms may include:

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
• Delusional thinking
• Confused or disturbed thoughts
• Mania (elevated energy, arousal and mood)

If you experience any of the serious side effects above, stop taking your medication and email us immediately at adhdmedication@problemshared.net. We also advise contacting your GP, especially if symptoms persist after stopping the medication.

In an emergency (if you suspect you may have serotonin syndrome or psychosis)

If you are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms, contact emergency services immediately by calling 999, or visit your local A&E department.

If you're ever unsure whether a symptom is worth reporting, it's better to let us know - we're here to help guide you through your treatment safely.

What to do if you accidentally overdose on your ADHD medication

If you accidentally take too much of your ADHD medication:

• Contact your GP for advice immediately.
• If you experience any serious side effects - such as those listed in this article - go to A&E without delay.
• Do not take any more ADHD medication until you have spoken with your ProblemShared prescriber.
• After seeking medical advice, you can also contact your prescribing team at adhdmedication@problemshared.net for further guidance and support.