How Effective is Focalin? Know the Dosage & Side Effects of Focalin

The use of focalin or dexmethylphenidate is strictly restricted if you consumed any MAO based inhibitor in the last 14 days. Some of the common MAO inhibitor includes tranylcypromine, linezolid, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, rasagiline, methylene blue injection, selegiline etc. Also, if you are allergic to methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate such as concerta, Ritalin then focalin is not recommended.

Focalin or dexmethylphenidate is a drug that regulates the release of certain chemicals in central nervous system that controls the impulse and hyperactivity. Focalin or dexmethylphenidate is an effective medication for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it also carries the risk of some serious side effects including death or heart problems if not taken appropriately.

People who have glaucoma must also avoid focalin or dexmethylphenidate. Some people who have a familial background of Tourette’s syndrome or tics (muscle twitches) must not take focalin or dexmethylphenidate. The use of this drug can lead to tension or anxiety and make the symptoms worse.

Thus, it is strongly recommended that you inform your doctor about any of the following conditions before starting a dose of Focalin.

• Anxiety, bipolar disorder, mental illness, depression or suicidal thoughts, psychosis or any other mental disorder.
• Addiction to alcohol.
• Abnormality in brain wave test (EEG)
• seizures or epilepsy;
• Tourette’s syndrome or muscle twitches/motor tics;
• Poor circulation of blood in feet and hands;

Patients Who are New To Methylphenidate:

Initially, the dosage must be limited to 5 milligrams orally per day broken into two dosages of 2.5 milligrams with a gap of minimum 4 hrs apart

During the maintenance dose, the dosage can be increased by 2.5 to 5 milligrams per week.

The maximum dosage of Focalin must not exceed 20 milligrams per day broken into 10 milligrams orally two times a day

Initially, the dosage of 10 milligrams must be taken once orally after getting up each day

During the maintenance phase, the dosage can be gradually increased by 10 milligrams per week.

The maximum dosage of Focalin must not exceed 40 milligrams once a day taken orally.

Patients Presently taking Methylphenidate:

The initial dosage must be restricted to a maximum of 20 milligrams/day broken down into two equal dosages. The daily dosage is usually determined as the half of the racemic methylphenidate dosage.

The initial dosage of focalin or dexmethylphenidate must be equal to half the total daily dose of racemic methylphenidate given once per day orally.

The maximum dosage per day must not exceed 40 milligrams.

During the transition phase, the same dosage must be continued.

General Pediatric Dose of Focalin or Dexmethylphenidate for Attention (ADD) Deficit Disorder:

Patients New To Methylphenidate (Age is 6+ years):

Initially, the dosage of focalin or dexmethylphenidate must be 5 milligrams per day broken into two equal dosages given at an interval of 4 hours or more.

The dosage can be gradually increased at the rate of 2.5 to 5 milligrams per week.

The maximum dosage must not exceed 20 milligrams/day broken into 10 milligrams twice per day.

The initial dose of focalin or dexmethylphenidate should be kept to 5 milligrams per day given orally.

The dosage can be gradually increased at the rate of 5 milligrams per week until the maximum dosage is reached.

The maximum dosage must not exceed the limit of 30 milligrams per day

Patients Presently Taking Methylphenidate (Age is 6+ years):

The initial dosage of focalin or dexmethylphenidate must be kept to 1/2 of the daily total dosage of racemic methylphenidate. The total dose must be broken into two equal dosages given twice a day

The maximum dosage must not exceed 20 milligrams per day or 10 milligrams twice per day.

The initial dosage of focalin or dexmethylphenidate must be kept to 1/2 the daily total dosage of racemic methylphenidate

The maximum dosage must not exceed 30 milligrams per day

The same dosage must be continued.

Focalin or dexmethylphenidate may lead to certain side effects and result into allergic reactions. If you observe any signs of allergy or reactions due to focalin or dexmethylphenidate, it is recommended to report immediately and seek medical care from the nearest medical centre. The common side effects of focalin or dexmethylphenidate include swelling in throat, tongue, lips and face, difficulty in breathing, hives and fever. Focalin is also known to affect the growth in kids. Thus, it is important to identify any signs of retarded growth due to focalin or dexmethylphenidate.

The use of focalin or dexmethylphenidate must be terminated immediately if one or more of the following side effects are seen.

• Pain in chest
• Difficulty in breathing
• Hallucinations: a condition where you tend to imagine things around you that does not actually exist
• Dull skin
• Numbness in fingers and toes
• Unexplained wounds
• Erection of penis accompanied with pain and can persist for as long as 4 hours
• Difficulty in viewing.