Focalin XR: Medicine for ADHD
ByFocalin xr
Focalin XR is a relatively new ADD/ADHD medication. Its chemical name is dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride. This long-acting version of Focalin can be used to treat not only children, but teens and adults as well.
Each capsule of this medication, like so several other attention deficit drugs, is filled with beads in a precise ratio set to release the drug at specific intervals. In the case of Focalin XR, half of one capsule (regardless of the dosage) is filled with beads designed to release immediately. The other half of the beads is enteric-coated, delayed-release set to provide another dose of the medication at a later time.
Your physician can prescribe this version of the drug in different strengths: 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg capsules. One of the assets to these increments of 5 mg is that adjustments in medications can be more finely tuned.
Some doctors have prescribed daily doses as high as 30 to 40 mg. To give you an idea of the strength of the dosage, compare it to that of Concerta. If these were “translated” into an equivalent dosage of Concerta, for example, it would be somewhere between 54 and 72 mg.
This longer-acting version of Focalin lasts about 8 hours in the body compared to the 5 hours of regular Focalin. The latest studies reveal that it’s approximately 70 percent effective in alleviating ADD/ADHD symptoms.
Perhaps the most welcome aspect of this drug, though, especially for younger children is that it requires only 30 minutes before it starts working on a system. This provides children with some relieve and help in the early hours of the morning, when they first start waking up and preparing for the school day itself…
Many parents say that the mornings are the most difficult for children with ADD/ADHD. Results of a survey conducted several years ago seem to bear these observations out with some statistics. This survey revealed that out of a total of 16 specific behaviors investigated parents or caregivers reported 12 of them were worse before the start of school.
These behaviors included speaking out of turn, failure to complete tasks, poor concentration, messiness, and interrupting others, to name just a few.
According to some specialists, this quick acting onset also helps children academically at the start of the school day as well.
If you experience any of the following side effects of Focalin XR, consult your physician. The symptoms include: dry mouth, heartburn, stomach pain, headache, difficulty or change in sleeping pattern, loss of appetite, weight loss or nervousness.
Is Focalin xr a good choice for your specific situation and symptoms? Only you and your physician can decide that.
Do you have personal experience with Focalin XR? Please share it below to help other people learn more.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
Hi Dr Kenny
Why aren’t we using more D-methylphenidate products like Focalin? i thought that the D enantiomer would decrease the unwanted cardiovascular effects and still have the good effects on the symptoms just like D-amphetamine. How would you rate the difference between L and D Methylphenidate compared to L and D amphetamine?
Since Concerta have the both enantiomers L and D it will have higher rate of unwanted side effects, right, can you estimate how much higher the unwanted side effect are on Concerta compared to Focalin?
Great questions. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any direct experience to share with you – as Focalin is not available in Canada so I don’t have any experience with it.
While companies which make enantiomers (isomers) often discuss the increased benefits and decreased side effects, often they are quite similar for most people.
Dr. Kenny
http://www.SafeADHDMedication.com
My six year old son was just found to be ADHD. He started on 5mg of Focalin xr this past Saturday. Although we are excited that his school day will be more productive, the effect on our family life after the drug wears off is still suffering. By the time he gets home we still is over-active and gets himself all stressed out about the smallest things. I will except a good school day…but is there an option for a short term release for night time. His happiness is all we care about, but family harmony effects what the next day brings. I would like to see his immediate family see results as well as his school.
I am new to this and dont want to “drug” him non-stop, but he seems to be suffering once the meds wear off.
will someone answer john harte question i have the same one.
Hi,
You can use a short acting methylphenidate medicine to help with the evenings – or alternatively, try a different adhd medication which may last longer into the evening…
Dr. Kenny
I have a question , when my son was in school he took his med at 6 in the morning, and then again in the afternoon. He was doing good, but now its summer and he doesnt get up real early , so he takes it at a later time. Does he have to take it everyday at the same time for it to work? Please does anybody have an answer for me ?