Focalin can have less side effects, but can also have a harder rebound (per my kid's doc). My kids have done great on both concerta and focalin. We switched to focalin because the oldest could not routinely swallow the concerta and because we wanted to see if the weight effects were less on focalin for the younger child. We have found that the weight issues seem to not be a problem with the focalin.
All this is very individual and you just need to try it out. If you go the the web site for focalin:
http://www.focalinxr.com/index.jsp
for a coupon to get a free month's worth of focalin for the trial (with the doc's prescription of course).
My son is 6 years old and just started Focalin XR today, the lowest dose, 5mg. This is the first time he is on meds since we did not want to medicate him at all ever since he started school at the tender age of 3. He ran into problems at school immediately. Today, I gave him the Focalin XR at 6 am. He seemed the same just a less hyperactive, which is a good thing. The teacher told me he actually had an excellent day. He had minor issues but nothing like he was before the medication. The teacher is happy and my son is happy too and that means the world to me. He felt like he was never going to be a "good" kid. What I did notice was that once it hit 3:00, time to go home, he seemed more hyperactive than before...even now I am struggling with keeping him a little more relaxed. So I guess it lasts around 8-9 hours on my son. I read that it can last anywhere from 8-12 hours, but good thing it's not 12 hours. Even though he's jumping everywhere and getting defiant (he does have Oppositional Defiant Disorder too) at least I still see that he has not changed and has no side effects, for now, and the meds are working where he really needs it most-at school. The Focalin XR is supposed to treat his hyperactivity, which I have seen in the morning but not now...Is this normal and what can I do so I, too, can have an easier afternoon with my son? &n bsp; &n bsp; &n bsp; &n bsp; &n bsp;
It may be that a slightly higher dose will make the med effective for a few more hours, or it may be that you will need a 'booster dose' of a short acting med at around 3 PM if that is when you are noticing it wearing off. The short acting forms are immediate and last 2-3 hours, which would make it wear off around 6 or so in the evening...or sometimes a doctor will prescribe tenex (guanfacine) to help with the rebound (which is what it is called when a child is more hyperactive as the med wears off).
The guanfacine is a blood pressure med that is prescribed off label for ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, anger and for sleep and appetite issues that are sometimes a problem with the stimulants.
[QUOTE=dmid]Our son did very well on Focalin XR...that is until 15 mg was not enough for him. We upped it to 20mg and it was too much, and he became like a zombie, mainly in the morning.
We have tried a few other things, but now his is on Metadate CD 40 mg, with a booster short acting dose of methylphenidte (sp?) at 2 pm because the Metadate was wearing off too early. We are just starting our second month and he seems to be doing very well.
I don't see him during the day during the week, but my general impression is that he is not quite as somber on the Metadate as he was on the Focalin.
[/QUOTE]
dmid, I'm so glad you posted this info. because you made a lightbulb go off in my head. My child has taken Focalin XR since July. He's always seemed too mellow for a couple of hours in the morning, but then he bounces back to "being a person" again. Since he was getting great ADHD symptom control with the Focalin XR, I thought I just had to put up with the couple of hours where he was too mellow. You've helped me see that maybe I don't! I'd rather wait until the summer to try a new med. b/c the ADHD behaviors have severe negative impacts on his social interactions, and a couple of bad weeks would create lasting damage. Still, you've helped me see that I need to explore if there's a better option for him. You have made a huge difference for my child, and thank you sooooo much!
Some teachers when told a child is on meds will change thier expectaions and "see" the child in a new light. Others may see ADHD as an excuse and look down on the meds and the child who is taking them. Teachers are just people and many are not educated in these disorders. So basically, it is your call.Friday my son did well in school, with some minor setbacks since some of his teachers do not know that he is on Focalin XR now. Since they don't know this, his homeroom teacher said that they continue to point the finger at him whenever something goes wrong. They are so used to him being the one to start everything before the meds. His teacher feels it is no one's business to know that he is meds now and I understand but should I say something to the other teachers? I know they see a difference since now he is more calm but since I skipped Sunday, he got up cranky. He was angry and did not want to go to school and even told me that the medicine is "fake". He said that other kids are on meds and they still act up sometimes. I feel like he has no faith in the meds anymore. Could it have been because I skipped a day? I am going to see how he behaves this week since I don't want to up his meds yet unless I have to. I am also waiting for counseling to treat his oppositional defiance disorder. I feel lost. I am new to this so at times I feel like I am not doing enough for him. Since my husband does not agree to the meds I can't talk to him and he doesn't even know that I began his meds yet...what should I do?
The focalin XR is a good drug for some....but so is the metadate CD....it is an individual thing...he could do wonderfully on the focalin, but it could also be a giant flop, you never know until you try....since he is inattentive, if you are going to try it, it would be best to try it while school is in session so you will know if it helps him to focus for school.
Our son did very well on Focalin XR...that is until 15 mg was not enough for him. We upped it to 20mg and it was too much, and he became like a zombie, mainly in the morning.
We have tried a few other things, but now his is on Metadate CD 40 mg, with a booster short acting dose of methylphenidte (sp?) at 2 pm because the Metadate was wearing off too early. We are just starting our second month and he seems to be doing very well.
I don't see him during the day during the week, but my general impression is that he is not quite as somber on the Metadate as he was on the Focalin.
My 7 year old on meds for only about a month takes Medadate CD...He