What ADHD medications are available in New Zealand?

In NZ, ADHD is treated with stimulants (methylphenidate brands: Ritalin, Rubifen, Rubifen SR, Ritalin LA, Concerta, Methylphenidate Teva ER, Methylphenidate Sandoz XR; amphetamines: dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine/Vyvanse) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine/Strattera). All stimulants are Class B controlled drugs regulated by Medsafe and funded by Pharmac via Special Authority.

Can GPs prescribe ADHD medication in New Zealand?

From 1 February 2026, vocationally trained GPs and nurse practitioners can diagnose and prescribe stimulant medications for adults with ADHD without needing a specialist referral. For children under 18, paediatricians, psychiatrists, or nurse practitioners in child/adolescent mental health services can initiate treatment.

Is Vyvanse funded in New Zealand?

Yes, Pharmac funded lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) from 1 December 2024. It is available via Special Authority for patients aged 5 and over with ADHD. Pharmac also removed the two-yearly renewal criteria for all ADHD stimulant Special Authorities.

What are the best sources for ADHD medication information?

Key sources include: Medsafe NZ (official data sheets), Pharmac (funding and Special Authority), NZ Formulary (dosing and interactions), bpacnz (prescribing guides), AADPA Australian Clinical Guideline (endorsed by RANZCP), NICE NG87 (UK), CADDRA (Canada), CHADD, and ADDitude Magazine.

Where can I find ADHD support groups in New Zealand?

ADHD New Zealand (adhd.org.nz) is the national advocacy organisation. Regional support groups exist across NZ. Online options include r/ADHD on Reddit, CHADD, ADDA, and various Facebook and Discord communities. ADHDinfoNinja curates a comprehensive list of NZ and international support groups.

Medications - ADHDinfoNinja

ADHD medications in New Zealand: Medsafe data sheets, Pharmac funding, Vyvanse, Ritalin, methylphenidate, clinical guidelines from AADPA, NICE, CADDRA. NZ prescribing changes 2025-2026.

2025 NZ Prescribing Updates (10)

bpacnz Guide: Changes to Psychostimulant Prescribing (Jan 2026) bpacnz

Primary care guide for new ADHD prescribing rules, funded medications table, brand switching and monitoring from Feb 2026

GPs and Nurse Practitioners Able to Start ADHD Treatment (Jun 2025) Ministry of Health NZ

Ministry of Health announcement that GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to start medical treatment for adults with ADHD from February 2026

Medsafe & Pharmac Joint Consultation on Stimulant Prescribing (Dec 2024) Medsafe NZ

Joint consultation proposing to allow GPs and nurse practitioners to initiate prescribing of ADHD stimulant medications from July 2025

Ministry of Health NZ — Changes to ADHD Prescribing Rules Ministry of Health NZ

Official government announcement on regulatory changes allowing GPs and nurse practitioners to prescribe ADHD stimulants from Feb 2026

NZ Clinical Principles Framework for ADHD Ministry of Health NZ

NZ Ministry of Health clinical principles framework for ADHD assessment and treatment, developed with sector representatives

NZ Government Beehive — Changes for Prescribing ADHD Medications Beehive.govt.nz

Minister's statement on the regulatory changes to ADHD medication prescribing with implementation timeline

Pharmac — Decision to Change Regulatory & Funding Restrictions Pharmac

Full decision document on Feb 2026 changes allowing GPs and nurse practitioners to initiate ADHD stimulant prescribing

Pharmac — Funding Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) Decision Pharmac

Nov 2024 decision to fund Vyvanse from December 2024 and remove two-yearly renewal criteria for all ADHD stimulant medications

Pharmac — Methylphenidate Sandoz XR Proposal Pharmac

Sep 2025 proposal to fund Methylphenidate Sandoz XR (generic Concerta) to address ongoing global supply shortages

RANZCP — Upcoming Changes to Stimulant Regulation in NZ RANZCP

Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists response to Vyvanse funding and prescribing regulation changes

Clinical Guidelines (7)

AADPA — ADHD Prescribing Guide for AU/NZ Professionals AADPA

Dedicated prescribing guide to assist qualified healthcare professionals in navigating ADHD medication in Australia and New Zealand

AADPA — Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for ADHD AADPA

113 clinical recommendations endorsed by RANZCP and RACGP. The primary guideline referenced by NZ prescribers for ADHD medication choice and monitoring

AADPA — Pharmacological Interventions AADPA

Medication choice, monitoring treatments and adherence recommendations from the Australian clinical guideline

APA — ADHD Parents Medication Guide APA

American Psychiatric Association's comprehensive parent guide with FDA-approved medication tables and safety information

CADDRA — Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines CADDRA

Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance practice guidelines covering assessment, treatment and medication management across the lifespan

NICE NG87 — ADHD: Diagnosis and Management (UK) NICE

Gold-standard UK guideline covering medication choice by age, comorbidity management, shared care arrangements and monitoring protocols

NICE NG87 — Treatment Recommendations NICE

Specific medication recommendations from the NICE guideline including first-line choices and titration guidance

Clinical References (5)

Medscape — ADHD Medications Reference Medscape

Drug-by-drug clinical breakdown with FDA approval details, pharmacology, dosing and contraindications

Medscape — ADHD Treatment & Management Medscape

Deep clinical reference covering all medication classes, titration protocols, monitoring requirements and off-label treatment options

Nature — ADHD Treatments Move Beyond Stimulants (Jan 2026) Nature

Feature article on emerging non-stimulant options, pipeline drugs, repurposed medications and alternative treatment approaches for ADHD

NCBI Bookshelf — ADHD Medications for Adults Review NCBI/CADTH

Comprehensive evidence review of stimulants vs non-stimulants for adult ADHD including clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness

UpToDate — ADHD Treatment with Medications UpToDate

Gold-standard clinical reference for ADHD pharmacotherapy. Referenced by NZ Medsafe prescriber updates. Subscription required

Medication Comparison Charts (6)

ADDitude — ADHD Medication List & Comparison Chart ADDitude Magazine

Consumer-facing comparison chart of all major ADHD medications including dosages, formulations and special considerations. Updated annually

ADDitude — Complete ADHD Medication Guide ADDitude Magazine

In-depth guide to ADHD medication for adults and children explaining how stimulants and non-stimulants work, with release mechanism details

ADHD Medication Guide (Northwell Health / Dr Adesman) Northwell Health

Visual chart of all FDA-approved ADHD medications with dosing information and medication images. Updated September 2025. Widely referenced by clinicians and patients

CADDRA — Canadian ADHD Medication Chart CADDRA

Bilingual colour-coded chart showing first/second line treatments, starting dose, duration of action, delivery method and dose titration. Updated October 2024

CHADD — FDA-Approved ADHD Medications Infographic CHADD

Visual infographic of all FDA-approved stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications from the CDC-funded National Resource Center on ADHD

Pharmac Schedule Online — Stimulants/ADHD Treatments Pharmac

Live NZ funded medications list showing all subsidised ADHD treatments with current prices and brand availability

Medication Education & Guides (10)

CADDAC — Medication & Treatment Information CADDAC

Canadian patient advocacy site with medication info, provincial formulary access guides and co-pay assistance programmes

CHADD — Choosing the Best Medication for Adult ADHD CHADD

Dr William Dodson's guide to the trial-and-error process of finding the right ADHD medication, widely recommended by the ADHD community

CHADD — Medication Management for Adults CHADD

Comprehensive guide to ADHD medication management in adults from the CDC-funded National Resource Center covering stimulants, non-stimulants and trial processes

CHADD — Medications Used in the Treatment of ADHD CHADD

Parent-focused overview of all ADHD medication types including behavioural combination therapy recommendations

Cleveland Clinic — ADHD Medications: How They Work & Side Effects Cleveland Clinic

Evidence-based patient guide covering medication types, comprehensive side effect tables and medication comparison charts

Drugs.com — 57 ADHD Medications Compared Drugs.com

Comprehensive database of 57 ADHD medications with user ratings, reviews, side effects and drug interaction information

GoodRx — ADHD Medications Guide GoodRx

Medication guide covering all ADHD drug classes with price comparison information and practical treatment guidance

Healthline — ADHD Medication List: Stimulants and Nonstimulants Healthline

Detailed breakdown of stimulant vs non-stimulant medications with side effects, dosing and FDA approval information

Medical News Today — Best Medication for Adult ADHD Medical News Today

Detailed adult-focused medication review covering stimulants, non-stimulants and factors affecting medication choice

WebMD — ADHD Medications and Side Effects Chart WebMD

Consumer-friendly medication comparison covering stimulants, non-stimulants and antidepressants with side effect information

NZ Funding & Prescribing Rules (2)

Pharmac — ADHD Hub Pharmac

Central Pharmac page for ADHD information including funding decisions, Special Authority details and medication supply updates

Pharmac — Special Authority Details for ADHD Pharmac

Specific Special Authority forms and criteria for each funded ADHD medication including SA2590 and SA2591

NZ Medication Info (15)

ADHD New Zealand — Stimulant Medication ADHD NZ

NZ-specific list of stimulant medications with Medsafe data sheet links, side effects overview and prescribing information

Auckland Neuropsychiatry — ADHD Medication Guide Auckland Neuropsychiatry

Detailed NZ psychiatrist walkthrough of every medication available in NZ including off-label options like modafinil, bupropion and guanfacine

bpacnz — Changes to Psychostimulant Prescribing for ADHD bpacnz

Jan 2026 guide for NZ primary care: funded meds table, brand switching advice, Special Authority forms and monitoring requirements

Healthify — ADHD Medicines for Adults Healthify NZ

Plain-language NZ patient guide: how ADHD meds work, prescribing and funding rules, Special Authority explained

Healthify — ADHD Medicines for Children Healthify NZ

Parent and caregiver guide to ADHD medications for children in New Zealand including funding and safety information

KidsHealth NZ — Methylphenidate for ADHD KidsHealth NZ

Parent leaflet on methylphenidate (Ritalin, Rubifen) use in children, adapted from the NZ Formulary for Children

Medsafe Consumer Medicine Information Medsafe NZ

Patient-friendly medicine information sheets for ADHD medications approved in New Zealand

Medsafe Data Sheets — ADHD Medications Medsafe NZ

Official NZ data sheets for all approved ADHD medications including Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta, Rubifen and more

Medsafe Prescriber Update — Lisdexamfetamine Spotlight Medsafe NZ

Detailed safety overview of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) covering prescribing restrictions, cardiovascular risks, abuse potential and monitoring

Medsafe Prescriber Update — Safety of ADHD Medicines in Adults Medsafe NZ

Sep 2025 safety bulletin covering psychiatric effects, cardiovascular risks and seizure considerations for adult ADHD medications

Medsafe — Regulatory Changes for ADHD Stimulants Medsafe NZ

Proposal and decision to allow GPs and nurse practitioners to initiate ADHD stimulant prescribing from February 2026

New Zealand Formulary — CNS Stimulants & ADHD Drugs NZ Formulary

Comprehensive NZ formulary section: dosing, interactions, contraindications and monitoring for all ADHD medications

NZ Formulary for Children — ADHD Medications NZFC

Paediatric-specific dosing and patient information leaflets for methylphenidate and other ADHD medications in children

Petra Hoggarth — ADHD Medications in NZ Part 1: Stimulants Petra Hoggarth

NZ psychologist's detailed guide to all stimulant medications available in New Zealand with Medsafe data sheet links and duration of action

RNZCGP — GP ADHD Prescribing Guidance RNZCGP

Royal NZ College of GPs guidance on new prescribing rules for ADHD stimulant medications effective from February 2026

💊 Medications