ADHD medication
Our ADHD medication suitability criteria
Before starting ADHD medication with us, it’s important to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for your situation. Our clinicians carefully review your health history to ensure that medication won’t cause harm or interact with any other medical conditions you might live with.
Please note that access to medication through ProblemShared is subject to clinical assessment, a GP referral, and approval by your NHS provider, insurer, or university health service.
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Some medical conditions mean ADHD medication isn’t a suitable support option, while others mean it might be possible with extra checks. Below you’ll find a summary of how we assess suitability. This is not an exhaustive list of medical conditions, but it does provide context for the more common ones.
When ADHD medication cannot be safely prescribed by our service
ADHD medication can’t be prescribed safely through ProblemShared if you have any of the following conditions:
Heart & circulation conditions
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Ongoing or unstable heart conditions (like angina, arrhythmia, or heart failure)
Structural heart defects (e.g. congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy)
Brain & nerve conditions
Pre-existing Cerebrovascular disorders
Brain or nerve conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, or cerebral palsy
Ongoing movement disorders (e.g. dystonia)
Mental health conditions
Any history of psychosis (including drug-induced psychosis)
Suicide attempt or significant self-harm within the last year
Crisis team involvement in the last 6 months
Currently under secondary mental health services
Severe emotional dysregulation affecting safety
Drug or alcohol use
Current support from drug or alcohol services
Ongoing alcohol dependence
Ongoing substance use including the use of medical cannabis.
Hormones & metabolism conditions
Active or uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (e.g. Graves’ disease)
Adrenal tumours (pheochromocytoma)
Eye health conditions
Narrow-angle glaucoma
Raised intraocular pressure
Eating & nutrition conditions
Active anorexia or bulimia
BMI under 18.5 (for adults)
Other medical conditions
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Receiving pharmacological treatment for cancer
Liver or kidney disease with abnormal test results
Liver or kidney transplant
BMI under 18.5 (for any reason)
Age over 70 or under 7
Recent Mental Health Act section or Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Taking mental health medications which are not yet stabilised
Lack of capacity to consent
When ADHD medication may be prescribed by our service following specialist review
Some people with medical conditions can still safely take ADHD medication, but this requires careful review by our multidisciplinary team to ensure suitability for our online remote prescribing service. Sometimes liaison with other specialists (for example, cardiology, psychiatry, or endocrinology) is required. Your acceptance onto the medication pathway will depend on the outcome of this review.
Heart & circulation conditions
Previous heart attack or arrhythmia that’s now stable
Well controlled high blood pressure
Family history of sudden cardiac death
Heart murmur or other cardiac/circulatory concerns
Brain & nerve conditions
Past Cerebrovascular disorders
Epilepsy (if seizure-free for at least 12 months)
Tourette’s or tics
Multiple sclerosis
Mental health conditions
Suicidal thoughts or crisis within the past year
Bipolar disorder or cyclothymia
Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD / BPD)
Drug or alcohol use
Past alcohol or substance dependence (if stable and abstinent for at least a year)
Occasional recreational substance use
High alcohol consumption
Hormones & metabolism conditions
Controlled thyroid disease (stable for 6+ months)
Eye health conditions
At risk of angle-closure glaucoma
Eating & nutrition conditions
Past anorexia or bulimia in full remission (for at least 2 years)
BMI between 18–20 (for adults)
Weight concerns or restrictive eating in under-18s
Other medical conditions
Taking specialist or complex medicines (e.g. biologics, immunosuppressants)
Stable use of antidepressants, mood stabilisers, or antipsychotics
Liver or kidney issues that are stable
Marfan’s syndrome
Adults aged 60–70 (will need extra tests such as ECG and bloods before prescribing)
When ADHD medication is likely to be a good fit for you through our service
Some people with medical conditions can still safely take ADHD medication, but this it requires careful review by our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and, sometimes, liaison with other specialists (for example, cardiology, psychiatry, or endocrinology).
Medication may be appropriate if you:
Are aged between 7 and 70
Have no major heart, neurological, or mental health conditions
Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
Have a healthy, stable weight
Are not dependent on alcohol or substances
Have stable physical and mental health
Are not taking interacting medications
ADHD medication
What happens if you’re unsure?
If you’re not sure whether any of these conditions apply, your GP will be able to advise you.
When you complete your medical questionnaire, our clinicians will review all your information carefully and let you know if anything needs further discussion or investigation.
We’ll always prioritise your safety and collaborate with your GP or other specialists if needed.
Please note
GPs, Clinicians, or Partner Organisations
ProblemShared does not prescribe ADHD medication where known contraindications exist (see BNF and NICE NG87).
In the case of our "May be suitable" criteria, ADHD medication may only be prescribed to patients with existing medical conditions after careful review and approval by our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), and in some circumstances, may also require approval from a relevant specialist (e.g. a cardiologist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist).
An up-to-date GP Summary/medication list and relevant specialist letters must be reviewed before proceeding with any ADHD pharmacotherapy decision.
“Not suitable” exclusions are absolute.