Focalin XR | ADHD Information

Focalin is just the dex isomer of methylphenidate. This is the more centrally active form and it has less side effects for some. It can have a harder rebound for some though. Everyone is different.

My kids are on it and do wonderful. The weight issues are not as bad for focalin as compared to concerta for my youngest.

My daughter is 6 and we have tried Conterta with horrible rebound and Vyvanse. Vyvanse was initially great then we started dealing with depression symtoms and some rebound. Once we stoped the meds within a couple of days everything was fine (no depression). We had an appointment today and we were given a script for Focalin XR 5 mg. We also take Tenex. Just wondering what others experienced with this med. I think I will start this on Saturday while we are at home. I look forward to any responses. Thanks!!

Thanks for the response we will be trying it tomorrow. I just do not understand how these stimulants can effect individuals so differently. I am a little nervous that we will have the same experiences as in the past. I am not feeling very confident right now. Did it take you several tries before discovering what worked for your children? 

 

We were lucky and both concerta and focalin work for both of my kids. We switched to focalin for the youngest because of weight issues and for the oldest because it can be sprinkled and she cannot swallow meds a lot of the time.

I think the individuallity is due to differences in intelligence (the ability to compensate), other co-existing issues (stress, anxiety, other learning disorders, other issues) and basic brain chemistry/level of brain maturation differences. These disorders appear to be a spectrum and to be due to multiple genes so there may be a very wide difference in what the exact brain chemicals are affected and to what extent.

My son (9) has been on Focalin xr for a year now.  We've had great results with it, although as Vickie said, rebound can be a problem.  My son's doc gave him  short- acting focalin at 1/2 his regular dose in the afternoon which helped ease the rebound, and after a few weeks we were able to stop that as the side effect went away.

The benefits are well worth the hassle for us though- I feel like I've finally really gotten to know my son in the past year, as he's been able to communicate sooooo much better with the meds. 

My teens are on Focalin and doing well since.

twirly1

My son was diagnosed at age 6 with ADHD. We started on Strattera but he was like a zombie and we took him off. Then ritalin, but he was not gaining weight. He has been on focalin xr 20 mg for last year. lately, it seems to not be as effective. Ped wants to try him on 25 mg so wrote me 2 rx- one for 20 and one for 5. I was shocked when I was charged a copay for each! have anyone else gone over 20 mg? if that does not work, she said may go to 20 + 10. this seems like a high dose to me.

if so, how has this worked for you? Also, did you have to pay for 2 medications each month? i will of course do it if needed, but it wil be expensive!

new to forum. i appreciate any help

 

 

 

Hi and welcome. Anytime we've filled 2 prescriptions (2 different doses) we've had to pay 2 copays. WOW .00 each is expensive! I only pay .00 each. My just turned 6 year old son started Focolin 2 mos. ago and at first, we
weren't sure if the benefit outweighed the side effects. He's been dealing
with some minor tics and aggression, but the last 2 days have been
amazing. It's like he's able to communicate and express himself in a
whole new way. He's extremely confident now, too, both with his athletic
and academic abilities. Today we were at the store and he began
speaking to an employee at the store and was so eloquent in his
conversation, asking her about herself, introducing his younger brothers
to her, etc. that I really didn't know who he was. It brought tears to my
eyes and gave me so much hope.

We have dealt with the rebound and what I have found to help is vigorous
exercise as the medicine is starting to wear off, as well as a carb type
snack to help with his blood sugar level. We also made the mistake of not
giving it to him on the weekend to give him a break, but it took him
several days for his body to readjust and get back on track. We now give
it to him every day (3/4 of a 5 mg. capsule). Although it's supposed to be
long-acting, it only lasts 5 1/2 hours for us. So, just about when it's
supposed to wear off, I get him outside running, jumping on the
trampoline, riding his bike, etc. I also give him fish oil in the morning. I
think this helps.

Will takes 20mg by 7am and 15mg by noon.  It worked great for a while (we've been on Focalin longer than anything else), but I'm starting to see some changes in him that I do not like.  I'm considering asking about Vyvanse when we go back Thursday.

I wonder if we are at or near the max dosage.

I pay for each Rx.

We actually just started yesterday and I am seeing a little rebounding, but not as bad as the other meds we tried. I ate lunch with her at school yesterday and she seemed like herself. Which, was nice to see. On the other meds she seemed very withdrawn. I have not gotten any feedback from her teacher yet, but so far so good. So, you do not give your son the full 5mg dose?  My doctor mentioned that we may need to increase. (we give 5mg) Thanks for the idea about vigorous exercise. I will give that a try tomorrow. We usually give her meds at around 7:15am and notice she starts rebounding around 3:00.  She did mention this afternoon that she did not even get warnings at school taking that blue pill. What is the fish oil for? Thanks!!