Posted by ed_uk on May 24, 2005, at 16:17:48
In reply to Re: Stimulants...Are they bad for anxiety???, posted by Nickengland on May 24, 2005, at 15:30:56
Dear Nick,
As an adult, it is VERY difficult to get a stimulant prescribed in the UK. Child psychiatrists sometimes prescribe stims to children, especially Ritalin.... but occasionally Dexedrine- Adderall is not available in the UK. The vast majority of adult pdocs never prescribe stimulants.
Part of the reason for this attitude/behaviour is because of what it says in the BNF (British National Formulary). The BNF is like the UK 'Drug Bible', doctors and pharmacists alike take it very seriously, which actually makes me feel a bit sick. On the pharmacy degree, we are constantly told that the BNF is VERY accurate and reliable blah blah blah. <puke>
Here is a excerpt from the BNF- that little book that our docs love so much...............
'They (stimulants) have very few indications and in particular, should NOT be used to treat depression.............
The amphetamines have a limited field of usefulness and their use should be DISCOURAGED as they may cause dependence and psychotic states. They have NO PLACE in the management of depression.........'
Kind regards,
Ed.PS. I emailed the editors of the BNF a few weeks ago to point out some errors. They said that they will correct them by the next edition. Perhaps I should send them a further email with a few more suggestions LOL. The section on MAOIs is particularly poor and in need of an update!
poster:ed_uk
thread:502202
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050521/msgs/502331.html