Focalin

Generic Name: dexmethylphenidate (dex METH il FEN i date)
Brand Names: Focalin, Focalin XR

What is Focalin?

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system. It affects chemicals in the brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Focalin is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Focalin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Focalin if you have glaucoma, tics or Tourette's syndrome, or severe anxiety, tension, or agitation.

Dexmethylphenidate may be habit-forming, and this medicine is a drug of abuse. Tell your doctor if you have had problems with drug or alcohol abuse.

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Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.

Do not use Focalin if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Focalin may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.

You may have blood circulation problems that can cause numbness, pain, or discoloration in your fingers or toes.

Call your doctor right away if you have: signs of heart problems--chest pain, feeling light-headed or short of breath; signs of psychosis - paranoia, aggression, new behavior problems, seeing or hearing things that are not real; signs of circulation problems - unexplained wounds on your fingers or toes.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Focalin if you are allergic to dexmethylphenidate or methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), or if you have:

glaucoma;

a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome; or

severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (stimulant medicine can make these symptoms worse).

Do not use Focalin if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Some medicines can interact with dexmethylphenidate and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.

Stimulants have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:

heart problems or a congenital heart defect;

high blood pressure; or

a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:

depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

motor tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;

blood circulation problems in the hands or feet;

seizures or epilepsy;

an abnormal brain wave test (EEG); or

a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Taking Focalin during pregnancy can cause premature birth, low birth weight, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether dexmethylphenidate passes into breast milk or if it could harm nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Focalin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

How should I take Focalin?

Using Focalin improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.