Focalin Review – 14 Things You Didn’t Know

Focalin (generic: Dexmethylphenidate HCL) is a central nervous system stimulant primarily prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6-12, adolescents, and adults.[1][2] The drug may also be prescribed off-label to help patients who suffer from narcolepsy (a sleep disorder).

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1) Quick Overview

Focalin may decrease hyperactive behavior and impulsivity, and improve focus, hallmark ADD/ADHD symptoms in some patients with the condition. The formula contains the same active ingredient (Dexmethylphenidate) as medications like Daytrana and Ritalin.[3]

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has classified Focalin as a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can lead to dependence or be easily abused. The formula has not been studied or tested in children under the age of 6.[4][5]

We strongly recommend not taking Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate HCL) unless prescribed to you by a medical doctor.

2) How Did Focalin Start?

Dexmethylphenidate was approved for medical use in the United States in 2001.[6] It is suggested that stimulants such as Dexmethylphenidate help improve the symptoms of ADD/ADHD by making it easier for the patient to control his behavior, avoid distraction, and concentrate on tasks. Furthermore, according to a 2009 placebo-controlled trial, once-daily Dexmethylphenidate X.R. may be effective at improving ADD/ADHD symptoms and generally well tolerated.[7]

Improvements in ADHD symptoms in children were significantly more significant dexmethylphenidate X.R. versus placebo.[8] It also showed greater efficacy than osmotic controlled-release oral delivery system (OROS) methylphenidate over the first half of the laboratory classroom day. Still, assessments late in the day favored OROS methylphenidate.

Focalin is produced by Novartis Corporation, a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland.[9] It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies by both market capitalization and sales.

Besides Focalin, Novartis also makes Voltaren (diclofenac), Clozaril (clozapine), Tegretol (carbamazepine), Ritalin (methylphenidate), Neoral/Sandimmun (ciclosporin), Diovan (valsartan), Gleevec/Glivec (imatinib mesylate), Femara (letrozole), Lamisil (terbinafine), and others.

Novartis Corporation contact information:

• Phone: +1 862 778 21 00 / +41 61 324 11 11
• Address: Lichtstrasse 35 Basel, 4056 Switzerland
• Website: novartis.com

3) Details on Focalin Ingredients and Uses

Focalin contains the following active ingredients[10]: Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride.

Inert (inactive) ingredients include Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer, FD&C Blue #2 (5mg strength), FDA/E172 Yellow Iron Oxide (10mg strength), gelatin, ink Tan SW-8010, Methacrylic Acid Copolymer, Polyethylene Glycol, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and Triethyl Citrate.

4) Does Focalin Work?

Dexmethylphenidate has a 4 to 6-hour duration of effect (a long-acting formulation, Focalin X.R., which spans 12 hours, is also available.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treatment with behavioral therapy for ADHD before medication for children under the age of 6. For children, ages 6 to 11, the American Academy of Pediatrics says, “The primary care clinician should prescribe U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for ADHD and/or evidence-based parent- and/or teacher-administered behavior therapy as a treatment for ADHD, preferably both.” [11][12]

Likewise, the National Institute of Mental Health finds the most impactful treatment plans use a combination of behavioral therapies and ADD/ADHD medication, like Focalin.[13]

Focalin is available in two forms: I.R. (Immediate-Release) that has a duration of effect of four (4) to six (6) hours and X.R. (Extended-Release) that provides a sustained psychostimulant impact for up to twelve (12) hours.

5) Focalin Health Benefits

Focalin claimed benefits[14] include:

• Improves ADD/ADHD symptoms within the first 30 minutes;
• Convenience – Focalin X.R. is an extended-release capsule that is taken once daily and remains active for up to 12 hours;
• Powerful stimulant medication;
• It is used in the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6-12, adolescents, and adults.

6) Potential Focalin Adverse Effects

Common side effects of Focalin[15][16][17][18] may include:

• Dizziness
• Stomach pain, vomiting, or heartburn
• Nervousness or jitteriness
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Headache

Serious side effects of Focalin may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Being unusually suspicious of others
• Chest pain
• Extreme fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Purple blotches under the skin
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Changes in vision
• Aggressive behaviors
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, face, throat, or eyes
• Slow or difficult speech
• Fever
• Numbness or weakness of an arm or leg
• Joint pain
• Seizures
• Hallucinations or believing things that aren’t true
• Mood changes or depression
• Rash, hives, or itching
• Skin color changes in the fingers or toes
• Blistering or peeling skin
• Pain, sensitivity, or numbness to temperature in the fingers or toes
• Unexplained wounds on the fingers or toes

7) Precautions of Focalin Use

Before taking Focalin, tell your physician or pharmacist if you have any known allergies. This prescription drug contains Dexmethylphenidate (active ingredient) and several inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.

Known interactions:

• Blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin);
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs);
• Antidepressants such as nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), protriptyline (Vivactil), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);
• Decongestants (cough and cold medications);
• Medicines for seizures such as phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), and phenytoin (Dilantin);
• Medicines for high blood pressure;
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), and paroxetine (Paxil);
• Other prescription drugs such as Venlafaxine (Effexor), Methyldopa (Aldomet), Guanabenz, and Guanfacine (Intuniv).

8) Where to Buy Focalin?

Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) is a prescription medication. That means it can’t, and it shouldn’t be purchased from unauthorized stores. It is available, however, at most pharmacies.

9) Focalin Price

The cost for Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) oral tablet 2.5 mg is about $75 for a supply of 100 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.

10) Alternatives to Focalin

Because Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) is a prescription medication, we can only review prescription medicines as potential alternatives. We don’t advocate substituting a treatment directed by your medical doctor with an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Adderall (Dextroamphetamine)[19][20][21] also treats ADHD in patients age six (6) years and older. However, it also treats narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder where a person has trouble staying awake throughout the day.

Similar to Focalin, Ritalin (Methylphenidate)[22][23][24] is a potent central nervous system stimulant and a controlled substance, which means your doctor will have to monitor its use carefully. It is usually prescribed in the treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy.

11) Directions For Taking Focalin

As with all prescription drugs, follow your physician instructions exactly. Focalin is taken orally, with or without food, once daily. The medication is typically taken first thing in the morning. For best results, take medicine at the exact same time every day.

12) Variations of Focalin

Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate) is available in several variations:

• 5 mg extended-release capsules
• 10 mg extended-release capsules
• 15 mg extended-release capsules
• 20 mg extended-release capsules
• 25 mg extended-release capsules
• 30 mg extended-release capsules
• 35 mg extended-release capsules
• 40 mg extended-release capsules

13) What Customers Say About Focalin

14) Bottom Line – Does It Really Work?

Stimulant prescription medication such as Focalin is the treatment most frequently used for ADD/ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. They can help you manage symptoms, such as hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and short attention span. While not always useful, the treatment with these stimulant drugs eases ADHD symptoms in about 70% of adults and 70% to 80% of children.[25]

Although there is some dispute about whether performance at school or social skills improves, there are people who benefit from taking this type of stimulant prescription medication.

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