Thanks for you replys. I did end up calling Novartis to ask them about the drug as well, and they said in clinical trials it worked up to 12 hours. But I know in real life situations the picture can look quite different, and people respond differently. I might just give it a try and see if I can get a couple more hour than the metadate is giving us. She is absolutely climing the walls by 4 PM. I would try concerta but she cannot swallow a pill.
Crazymama thanks for the info about your son. The metadate has not been helping DD with irritability, in fact I think it has been making her more irritable. Maybe the focalin will be gentler for her too.
Focalin XR is formulated to last 8 hours. The first half of the dose is released immediately upon taking it and the second half of the dose is released after 4 hours to cover 8 hours total. My son sometimes takes a dose of short-acting Focalin at 4 pm so he can concentrate on his homework.
Just remember that effective usefulness of XR meds are dependent by the way they are made on each individual's digestive system. It can be affected by factors like acidity of the stomach, speed of digestion, etc.
For example my dexedrine spansules can work 8 to 12 hours for many. For me - it works fantastic for 6 to 7 hours and I find it's nearly all gone in about 9 hours. Each person will find it slightly different but that the XR works longest of all the med varieties.
Also - XR meds become lessened in duration as the person becomes acclimated to it's effect. That's why it typically needs to be adjusted after some time.
Everyone is different!
My son took focalin xr and it only lasted him 8 hours. I think that is all it is suppose to last. My other son takes concerta and it last for a good 12 hours.My ds, 8, started taking 10 mg focalin xr once a day about a week ago. So far so good. Seems to wear off easier, not as much irritability. Seems to last well too. He takes it about 7 in the morning and seems to wear off between 5 or so. I like it so far. Son is calmer, emotionally more stable and teacher impressed also. He was adderral xr before this. He also doesn't have dark circles under his eyes any more and goes to bed easier. I did notice it is a lot more expensive.I have read that focalin XR has a longer duration of action (up to 12 hours) than other extended release preperations such as metadate CD and ritalin LA. Does anyone have any experience with this. My dd takes metadate CD and it wears off after 8 hours, but she needs a longer time for homework.
Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.
I am taking Concerta which has a 12 hour release, I think it even like 13 hrs. for me. It works good for me. I am focused all day, no fidgeting, a little sharper. All in all it has been great. There is some adjusting to the meds because it supressed my appetite and gave me stomach aches but that stoped when I forced myself to eat more.
But as I am learning on this site all medicines work different for different people.