Focalin

Pronunciation: dex-METH-il-FEN-i-date
Generic Name: Dexmethylphenidate
Brand Name: Focalin

Use Focalin with caution if you have a history of emotional problems or alcohol or substance abuse. Abuse of Focalin may cause it to not work as well. Abuse may also lead to addiction and severe mental changes. Do not suddenly stop using Focalin. Depression or other mental problems may occur. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over a period of time if you need to stop using it.

Focalin is used for:

Treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Focalin is a central nervous system stimulant. Exactly how it works is not known.

Do NOT use Focalin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Focalin or to methylphenidate


• you have severe anxiety, agitation, or tension


• you have glaucoma


• you have motor tics (involuntary movements), Tourette syndrome, or a family history of Tourette syndrome


• you have serious heart problems (eg, heart defect, irregular heartbeat)


• you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or have taken an MAOI within the past 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Focalin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Focalin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems (eg, heart failure, fast or irregular heartbeat), or recent heart attack, or if a family member has a history of irregular heartbeat or sudden death


• if you have a history of seizures or abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs)


• if you have a history of overactive thyroid or chronic fatigue


• if you have a history of mood or mental problems (eg, agitation, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, tension), abnormal thoughts, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence, or if a family member has a history of any of these problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Focalin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because severe high blood pressure may occur


• Clonidine because serious side effects may occur


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), certain anticonvulsants (eg, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), phenylbutazone, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, imipramine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Focalin


• Medicines for high blood pressure (eg, guanethidine, metoprolol) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Focalin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Focalin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Focalin:

Use Focalin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Focalin comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Focalin refilled.


• Take Focalin by mouth with or without food.


• Take your doses at least 4 hours apart unless your doctor tells you otherwise.


• You may have trouble sleeping while taking Focalin. If this occurs, taking your last dose earlier in the day may help. Check with your doctor before you change the way that you take Focalin. If trouble sleeping continues, talk with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Focalin, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Focalin.

Important safety information:

• Focalin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Focalin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• If your symptoms do not get better within 1 month or if they get worse, check with your doctor.


• Serious effects, including heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, have occurred with the use of stimulant medicines in patients with heart defects or other serious heart problems. If you have a heart defect or another serious problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Focalin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, heart function, complete blood cell counts, and platelet counts, may be performed while you use Focalin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Focalin may affect growth rate and weight gain in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth and weight checks while they take Focalin.


• Caution is advised when using Focalin in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially loss of appetite, stomach pain, weight loss, trouble sleeping, and fast heartbeat.


• Focalin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Focalin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Focalin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Focalin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Focalin may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Focalin stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Some people who use Focalin for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. Do not suddenly stop taking Focalin. If you stop taking Focalin suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include depression or other mental problems.

Possible side effects of Focalin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; joint pain; purple or brownish red spots on the skin); behavior changes (eg, aggression, hostility, restlessness); blurred vision or other vision problems; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, persistent crying, unusual sadness); one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; slurred speech; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; uncontrolled speech or muscle movements; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Focalin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; dilated pupils; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; flushing; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; muscle twitching; seizures; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; tremors; unusual sweating.

Proper storage of Focalin:

Store Focalin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Focalin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Focalin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Focalin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Focalin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Focalin resources

• Focalin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Focalin Dosage
• Focalin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Focalin Drug Interactions
• Focalin Support Group
• 26 Reviews for Focalin - Add your own review/rating

• Focalin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Focalin Consumer Overview


• Focalin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Focalin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Dexmethylphenidate Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Focalin XR Prescribing Information (FDA)

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