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Pharmacotherapy for ADHD in Australia

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MNKMD123

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Joined
Feb 3, 2011
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Location
New Jersey
Hello,

I am a psychiatrist in Pennsylvania. I have a college-aged student who has been doing extremely well on Adderall XR 30 mg q AM for his ADHD. He going to Australia for a special internship from February through June 2011.

What are his best options to ensure he is adequately treated for his ADHD while he is in Australia? His internship is going to be very demanding so he will need a stimulant to succeed.

Is Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salt combo) available in Australia? If not, what is available? How do I help him to ensure he can take the medication he will need?

Thank you so much for whatever information you can provide.

[snip], M.D., M.A.
Psychiatrist
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The only form of amphetamine available for ADHD treatment in Australia is pure dextroamphetamine in 5mg tablets. Unlike adderall it doesn't come in a sustained release form, and as far as I understand it most ADD patients take multiple 5 - 15mg doses throughout the day.

Other than that, there's ritalin, concerta and the standard SNRI/DRI type meds.

I'd imagine if you wrote your patient a solid referral letter he'd have no problem procuring a presciption for dextroamphetamine.
 
Hi MNKMD123,

Welcome to Bluelight. As Crankit mentioned there shouldn't be any issues if an appropriate referral letter is provided. Perhaps you could even contact a local physician in the area your student is going to be staying to set up an appointment ahead of time?

I've just removed your name from your post as this is the kind of site where it sometimes pays to preserve some anonymity.
 
As has been mentioned already, only instant release dexamphetamine is available; no sustained release amphetamine.

Can you write him a script allowing him to pick up sufficient repeats to last him while he is here in Australia? That might be your best option.
 
^ Yes. It's just amphetamine, which is S8 here so can be prescribed.

Getting multiple repeats filled to bring over with the prescription would be the easiest thing, rather then trying to switch him over to an IR regimen that works before he gets here.
 
Amphetamine is S8?
What for?

They don't give it out to anyone as far as i knoo
 
^ Dexamphetamine tablets... they were mentioned at the beginning of this thread and have been discussed on this forum before.

Methamphetamine is also still S8 on the SUSMP.
 
Oh so dex being S8 means amphetamine sulphate is as well for adhd?
 
^ Well, not necessarily: if the TGA wanted to or felt it necessary, they could schedule the dextrorotary isomer in S8, and racemic in S9 or where ever they wanted.

But amphetamine itself, meaning racemic amphetamine, is also listed in S8.

Funnily enough, the non-recreational stereoisomers of amphetamine and methamphetamine are also in S8.
 
I'd agree with Mr Blonde that getting multiple repeats to bring over would be the best option. Insurance may cause problems with this, they don't like people getting early repeats but maybe it's different if you have a good reason.

Since we don't have adderall available here at all his only option would be dexamphetamine. Some people that switch from adderall to dex. find that it doesn't work quite the same, but I personally believe he could adjust.

If bringing multiple repeats over isn't possible, your best bet would to be find a good psychiatrist beforehand. Regular doctors can't prescribe ritalin or dex for ADD, a psychiatrist is required here.

I'm not sure if he'd need a referral to a psychiatrist from a GP beforehand. Mr Blonde might be able to help you with this...we need a referral but might be different for non-citizens?

What area is he moving to? Your best bet is contacting one of the ADD support groups...they should be able to point you in the right direction of a suitable psychiatrist. http://www.adders.org/ausmap.htm

Not all psychiatrists deal with ADD and prescribe meds here....most don't. Some only deal with young children, and can be suspicious of adults. You'd want to contact the psychiatrist asap to check they'd be willing to prescribe and have appointments available...so long as he can get in to see a psychiatrist that prescribes there shouldn't be a problem considering he's got backing from you and was prescribed similar meds before.
 
You should contact the Drugs of Dependence Unit (or equivalent) in whatever state the person is travelling to. They can provide information on the process for either bringing meds into the country, and accessing further scripts while here.
 
Crankinit said:
The only form of amphetamine available for ADHD treatment in Australia is pure dextroamphetamine in 5mg tablets. Unlike adderall it doesn't come in a sustained release form, and as far as I understand it most ADD patients take multiple 5 - 15mg doses throughout the day.

Other than that, there's ritalin, concerta and the standard SNRI/DRI type meds.

I'd imagine if you wrote your patient a solid referral letter he'd have no problem procuring a presciption for dextroamphetamine.
Click to expand...

I'm on Concerta for ADHD, I suppose adult ADHD now. I believe that's methylphenidate and it certainly works for me. Particularly with school, which is typically the only reason I take it now.
 
^ It's sustained release methylphenidate.

I'm not sure if he'd need a referral to a psychiatrist from a GP beforehand. Mr Blonde might be able to help you with this...we need a referral but might be different for non-citizens?
Click to expand...

Referrals are really only necessary if you want the session to be covered under Medicare; however as he will be an international visitor from a country that Australia does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with, he won't have access to Medicare or the PBS.

Travelling to Australia, medicine for personal use and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme


This page has a list of relevant Australian authorities that provide information on bringing medication into the country, as well as countries covered by the RHCA.
 
Mr Blonde said:
Referrals are really only necessary if you want the session to be covered under Medicare; however as he will be an international visitor from a country that Australia does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with, he won't have access to Medicare or the PBS.
Click to expand...

That makes perfect sense. Had a feeling you'd know the answer to that :) cheers.
 
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