How is Focalin? | ADHD Information

MommieD,
Adderall has not been tested in children under 6 either. Adderall is an amphetamine and dextroamphetimine based product with two isomers. It's the only medication with 4 components like that. Focalin is a dexmethylphenidate based medication. Neither one tested under children under 6.

 

Wildman02,
As everyone said, it's all trial and error. We all respond differently to stimulants. Some people do horrible on a particular med, while the next person will find it to be perfect for them. It really is a matter of just trying them out to see if it works for your child. I'm glad his response so far has been good :).

Hi all...my son, 14, has been on Focalin for 3 weeks and what a difference.  He was on concerta for 3 years and I am not sure if he built up a resistance or what, but it was just not working at the end of the day.  About 3pm his behavior changed and caused alot of problems. His doc added risperdal whick helped alittle, but the end of the day was still a nightmare. His doc added strattera and it made his so sick.  Terrible headaches. We took him off the strattera.  I started reading the postings here and there are alot of people on Focalin.  I did some research and talk to his doc about it.  The focalin works quicker in the morning and lasts longer at the end of the day.  It has been very good for him.  He is still on the risperdal to help him with the aggitation that he feels.  The risperdal also conteracts the lack of appetite that the focalin causes.  So far so good here.  Chris is old enough that he sees the difference at the end of the day.  Good luck with it.

As with all the ADHD drugs, it's really trial and error. Some kids do really great on Focalin, others do horribly. Some do great on Concerta or other forms of Ritalin, others do horribly.

Lots of kids do really well on focalin. Focalin did wonders for my son as far as attention and focus are concerned, but it caused him to throw up. Same thing with Adderall. Concerta (a form of Ritalin) he's doing fine on.

Unfortunately, you will just have to try the Focalin and see how it works. If it doesn't work, you may need to go to a higher dose or switch to a different drug.

Best of Luck to you.

 

 

same as above.  My son did ok on focalin, while adderall was horrible and strattera worthless.  Trial and error.

The 4 yo with lead posioning has been digonosed with ADHD and is put on 5mg of Focalin. I have not giving him his first dose yet. She told me to not give it to him until in the morning so it will not mess with his sleep. I wanted to know if there are anyother children who are on this and what is it doing to them. Thanks for any info- April Thank you all SO much! This has been VERY calming to me to hear such good things! Today is day 1 and so far so good and he has changed into a better him.

My 5 yld has been of Focalin XR for about 4 months now and I really have had no problems. After about a month or so we had to up it because the 5mg only lasted so long. Hes now at 10mg and I am going to up it right after school starts. We had a few days with out it and he is no way a canidate for summers and weekends off. He had a slight appeatite loss but has it back now, his sleep was alil off for about a month but he is know sleeping in till about 8am, while my 3 yld is up at 6... It really is a trial and error but in my case I am very happy with it. Because of this med. he is going into a regular kindergarden class. Needless to say I am very very happy with Focalin personally so give it a shot, for my son, severe ADHD-ODD, he mellowed out in about 1 hour.

Good luck!

LOOK at the list of amphetimines used to treat ADD/ADHD. There is a listing of suggested ages of which three are recommended for age three.

I would trust the physicians associated with The Texas Medical Center and Texas Children's Hospital and the advice they gave my husband and myself regarding recommended ages and the dosages of these drugs.

Thanks!
MommieD38943.7673842593

[QUOTE=MommieD]LOOK at the list of amphetimines used to treat ADD/ADHD. There is a listing of suggested ages of which three are recommended for age three.

I would trust the physicians associated with The Texas Medical Center and Texas Children's Hospital and the advice they gave my husband and myself regarding recommended ages and the dosages of these drugs.

Thanks!
[/QUOTE]

I don't need to look at it, I read the full prescribing information from the manufacturer of Adderall when my son was on it. It's clearly stated. I think the manufacturers of the medication know who they tested it on better then anyone.

Which isn't to say it shouldn't be, or isn't, used on those under six, but it has not, by the manufacturers own words, been tested on those under 6. Most stimulants have not.

In case you are interested in facts: http://www.adderallxr.com/  Up at the top is the full prescribing info from the manufacturer.

Please be careful with Focalin. My daughter was given it first (age three) and our new doctor has switched her to Adderall since Focalin is not suggested for anyone under the age of six.

Just a friendly FYI!