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Has anyone heard of or are using the medication Focalin for ADHD and O.D.D.? My son is presently on Adderall which does not seem to be helping one bit. Someone told me to ask his doctor to change his meds to Focalin but I have never heard of this medication before and was wondering if anyone was on it or has used it in the past. Can anyone tell me what it is like, does it help or make things worse? Any advise anyone can give me would be great ↓
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| Name: Jennifer | Date: Aug 16th, 2007 7:55 AM |
| I have never heard of it, but you could search it on google or someplace. I'd be interested to find out what it is myself! ↑ |
| Name: Jennifer | Date: Aug 16th, 2007 8:01 AM |
| Ok- I just looked it up- it is sort of like Concerta. It is released in two parts to keep active for a longer period of time. It can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce, etc. It is recommended for kids 6 and up. I think I have actually heard of this before, I think it is what some people refer to as DEX. I personally don't know anyone on it so I can't speak to its effectiveness. Good luck! ↑ |
| Name: rachel | Date: Aug 23rd, 2007 9:29 PM |
| my 5 year old son is on it. He has done ok with it . The difference was night and day with him ↑ |
| Name: KathyK | Date: Aug 25th, 2007 11:43 AM |
Rachel,
I wanted to ask you how long it took before you saw a change in your son once he was put on Focalin. My son was just put on it on Thursday and today is the first day he is really getting it. He was also put back on Depakote and I am not sure if I like him on that or not. I did hear that Depakote helped other kids alot so I am just waiting to see if there is a change in my son.
Did you notice any side effects from the Focaline?
I was able to put it in something he ate this morning and he didn't even notice he was taking meds so that is how I am going to have to give it to him.
I have done some research on it as well and know someone whose children are on it so I am anxious to see how he does.
Thanks for all of your advise ↑ |
| Name: Michelle | Date: Aug 25th, 2007 12:15 PM |
Don't give him Focalin. This is why. It causes new or worse behavior, thought problems, aggression, and hostility. In children is causes new psychotic symptoms. Some people die because it raised blood pressure too much. My source is the Food and Drug administration website. It is a good place to find out about any other drug too. For focalin, if I am writing it correctly, the place at fda.gov (food and drug administration) is fda.gov/cder/offices/ods/mg
/dermethylphenidate_fmg.pdj
.
If it isn't right go to the food and drug adminstration, and type focalin side effects. Also, if you have to ask the doctor to change medication then he didn't give a good medication in the first place. I would change the doctor. Finally, I cured adhd with diet in Cadee. I wrote about it. ↑ |
| Name: KathyK | Date: Aug 25th, 2007 5:48 PM |
Today was the first day I gave my son Focalin and have been watching him. He has been talking really fast and almost stuttering (which he does not do)and also licking his lips contantly like he is thirsty all the time. He says he isn't but he looks like he is. He also said he is not hungry that he has a stomach ache and I don't know if that is from the medicine. He is also taking Depakote which he is supposed to be taking 3 times a day but he only had one full dose of that. I am concerned about his talking so fast and his licking his lips I am afraid of kids making fun of him when he goes back to school on Monday. I want to give this medicine a chance and not give up on it the first day I notice something I am not comfortable with. I am looking for something that is going to help him and I have to be willing to give it a chance.
I have changed his diet as much as I can . He is not allowed to have alot of sugar and he doesn't drink soda or anything but I can't afford to buy organic foods so I do the best I can. I do give him fruits and vegetables and juice (juicy juice like Michelle mentioned)and he eats cheese and yogurt so I am really trying to make him eat better, I don't know where else to turn.
If anyone else can tell me what side effects they have seen in their own children that would help alot. I am going to do some more research on the internet regarding Focalin but I have heard some good things about it. I guess it is like all other meds on some kids it works and others it doesn't. ↑ |
| Name: KathyK | Date: Sep 6th, 2007 1:39 PM |
My son has been on Focalin for almost 2 weeks now and there is a definite change in his behavior. He is not having as many tantrums as he was and when he does they don't seem to last as long anymore. He gets it once in the morning before school and then he also gets Depakote. He has to get another Depakote when he comes home from school and one before bed and things have gotten alot better. The only side effect that I see so far is that he gets belly aches and is not as hungry as he was before. He also licks his lips alot like he is thirsty so I am guessing that is another side effect because he never did that before the Focalin.
I know that some people think that I shouldn't give him Focalin but for him it is working. It seems like different meds work different on all kids. For my son Adderall made him worse the worst he has been ever. So that he had to come off asap. Now he is so much better on Focalin and the side effects that Michelle listed have not happened to him (thank God) . His pediatrician is taking blood tests to check the level he is getting so he is ok for now. I am just so grateful for the change in him since he has been on it. ↑ |
| Name: Jennifer | Date: Sep 6th, 2007 8:24 PM |
| I think's it wrong to tell people to or not to put their child on a particular medicine. Each child has his/her own individual reaction to different medications and what might not work for your child does work for another. I say does what work. My son takes 45 mg of ritalin a day; some people hate that drug, but I have done all of my homework on it and I have no regrets or bad feelings about having him on that medication. We have wonderful results from it and he has made such strides in school in regards to behavior and conduct. Ritalin has been researched and improved upon since it's debut in the 80's and is a safe and effective drug. EVERY drug has side effects, including Advil and Tylenol- you have to try it and see how it works for your child. So, Kathy, I say if Focalin works- keep it up! ↑ |
| Name: KathyK | Date: Sep 7th, 2007 1:51 PM |
Jennifer,
I appreciate your encouragement so much. I hate when people tell you you shouldn't put your children on medication. They have not walked a day in our shoes and don't know what we go through on a daily basis. My brother is against putting your children on medication but his daughter has no problems so he can't say anything about it.
My son has been on so many other medications that I can't remember them all. The last one Adderall was the absolute worst. It made him horrible and almost scary. I feel like this focalin will work good for him. It is just not always easy to give it to him and on those days that he doesn't get it we pay the price. When he does get it all he is a different child and so much easier to deal with and more loving. That is the son I miss. He is a good boy he just doesn't know how to deal with his anger and it is so sad. He is a loving child and he gives hugs and kisses and likes to cuddle when he is not having a meltdown.
I appreciate you understanding. ↑ |
| Name: cherisalorraine | Date: Sep 8th, 2007 12:22 AM |
| you mentioned that it is hard to give to him i dont know how you feel about sweets but the ones with gooey centers make a great hiding place ↑ |
| Name: basketlady322003 | Date: Sep 8th, 2007 11:52 PM |
| we were on the focalin patch and my son was about to lose his mind - he kept having thought of having sex with his sister and me - kissing his male teacher - He was freaking out. I went to kiss him goodnight and he went bizeerk thinking he had done something wrong and my pediatrician said that "pshycotic thoughts" were never mentioned as side effects. I have talked to two other parents from the same doctor that took their son off too becasue of the same issue. ↑ |
| Name: KathyK | Date: Sep 11th, 2007 12:29 PM |
basketlady,
I have never heard of side effects like you mentioned with Focalin. I am going to keep my eyes open and watch my son with his medication. He has only been on it for about 2 weeks and I don't see anything major yet.
Can you tell me about the focalin patch though? How often does he get it and where do you put it? My son takes the focalin in a capsule and I have to break it open and sprinkle it on something which doesn't always work. How old is your son? Mine is only 6 and I have to ask his doctor if he would consider giving him a patch. I also have to see if my son would wear it. Does your son fight you to put it on? I am looking for other options for the focalin so that he will get all that he needs. ↑ |
| Name: mom_5 | Date: Sep 12th, 2007 9:05 PM |
| we did focalin. BAD for my son. He was way too jittery. He is on straterra now and procaz for adhd and oppositional defiance and anxiety ↑ |
| Name: malejr | Date: Sep 20th, 2007 4:28 PM |
| I had never heard of it either until a few days ago. My son is eight and he is presently taking 20mg of Focalin for ADHD and bipolar disorder. SO far it seems a little better. Much easier to deal with at home but bedtime seems to be a problem where it was not before. Also he is having a hard time adjusting to a new school. Any advise??? ↑ |
| Name: Michelle | Date: Sep 20th, 2007 10:17 PM |
| My advice is to always check the Food and Drug Administration website. Type the name of the drug and then type side effects in the search box. I am not sure whether I type side effects for side affects. Side affects rarely show up the first time that he is on the drug. Sometimes they display the damage years after taking the drug. The drugs will make it easier for you, and he will be easier for the school. I hope that he does better in school. Drugs will also be very beneficial by creating an improved learning atmosphere for the other students in his class. ↑ |
| Name: cindy | Date: Sep 22nd, 2007 9:08 AM |
My son is 16 and we have been on many medications for AD/HD since he was six. We started on Ritalin...WOW! Sent him over the edge. Adderall worked for a while, but his body would adjust to where it would be ineffective and he could not take ANY otc drugs, not even so much as children's Tylenol as his breathing would become very labored and his heart rate would be through the roof with chest pains, dizziness, etc. and he NEVER had an appetitie.
We did Concerta for a while and then Straterra...each worked okay with their own side effects such as (I'm sorry I don't remember which was which) one cuased extreme drowsiness where by 2pm he was sleeping in class and as soon as he came home, straight through the night. The other he couldn't sleep. We ended with a Concerta/Straterra combination...One in the morning and the other about an hour before bed.
Due to many boys, we've heard, being able to be weaned off medications after puberty and his behavior becoming that of a defiant teenager, we stopped medications with his blessing for several months. The defiance has grown, and now back in school everybody concludes he still cannot function as a "normal" student. Focalin has just been introduced to us as possibility as he refuses all his previous medications due to all the side effects he has been through.
KathyK - I would seriously consider researching the Depakote as my Grandmother was Bi-polar and many of your child's side effects she had while on it. If he started both medications closely together, then maybe I would consider a new doctor. Otherwise, I know first hand how extreme one medication for one child and have the complete opposite effect for another. Just stay on top of it and don't allow teachers and doctors to force your child to succomb to what I call "The Zombie Effect"...I've seen too many children medicated to the point where, sure, they are no longer a behavior issue but they are no longer functioning as a real child either!
I don't want to sound like an expert doctor...but I have been very vigilant over the last ten years staying on top of these meds and trying to insure my son still kept a youthful childhood. You know your children better than anyone...don't let the "professionals" tell you any different! ↑ |
| Name: Michelle | Date: Sep 23rd, 2007 12:33 AM |
| I had ADHD. My guardian cured it by changing my food. So, when Cadee had it, I did the same thing. I wrote about it. I made the title "cure for ADHD". Cadee hasn't had ADHD for two years with the exception of 4 days when the school gave her food that caused her ADHD. ↑ |
| Name: malejr | Date: Oct 1st, 2007 8:55 PM |
| Michelle, what type of diet do you have your child on? I would love to try it!!!! ↑ |
| Name: Stephanie | Date: Oct 3rd, 2007 4:09 PM |
| my son was on focalin, his behavor was improved and under controll however, he doesnt sleep much at night, has little appitite and his personality is dead,he is not himself on it so we took him off and are now looking for alternatives. oh he was on 10 mg a day ↑ |
| Name: Michelle | Date: Oct 3rd, 2007 10:34 PM |
| I wrote about it under the title "cure for adhd". It is a title like the title for this is Focalin. If you find it let me know. ↑ |
| Name: kim | Date: Apr 25th, 2009 12:27 AM |
| Diet is the cure. Medications kill. You are killing your children with chemical toxicity. ↑ |
| Name: lilo | Date: May 6th, 2009 8:40 PM |
| Name: CRR | Date: May 8th, 2009 10:14 PM |
| It's so discouraging to read all of these posts...my son is 7 and has been diagnosed with ADHD, sensory integration disorder and Anxiety all in the last 9 months. He has taken Prozac, which we have stopped and he is on Focalin 2.5 twice a day. It's working at school but seems to be only lasting 3 hours. He experiences a lot of agitataion when it wears off. I am completely discouraged because it's scary to read about side effects but it's also scary and sad to see your child not be able to manage in fun, or learning situations (school). To not medicate is to let your child experience all the adhd affects which can lead to serious low self esteem and sadness. To medicate is to face the fact that side effects are real and can be cause for concern. How discouraging. I love my child, like everyone else. People should keep there opinions on medication or no medication to themselves! ↑ |
| Name: CRR | Date: May 8th, 2009 10:18 PM |
| Correction: What I mean by opinions is judging others for the tough decisions they have to make in hopes that is in the best interest of their children:)). ↑ |
| Name: amy | Date: Sep 30th, 2009 2:05 AM |
| my son {8yrs} started focalin 10 mg last week , [ADHD] he seems to be doing better as faf as his conduct but I'm going to have a confrence this friday with his teacher,so I will get to hear what she is seeing in his work,He has that druged look about him that I hate and not as hungry as before. and the tummy ache has got better with a weeks use.I have to give the drug a chance. I waited all summer and 4 weeks into school before I gave him anything but it was obvious after the 4th week of school he had to be on something. Please pray this works [][ ↑ |
| Name: Ambra | Date: Nov 18th, 2009 4:36 PM |
| My son is 14 and been on Focalin XR 15mg since August and seems to be doing fine with no side effect. Along with his ADD he also has anixety and take 15mg of Remeron at night. He has in the past taken Adderall, Concerta, Straterra and the Daytrona patch and had mild to severe side effects the main ones being lack of appetite and irritablity. Focalin so far does not produce these side effects in our son. The reason I googled this website was recently he was diagonoised with JME (juvenile myclonic epilepsyy) and has been prescribed depakote. He has only had one full blown seizure but he has family history of JME. I'm concerned about him taking both the Focalin and depakote together. I have been researching the depakote over the internet and not real excited with what I'm reading. Can anyone give me some feedback if their child is taking these 2 medications together. ↑ |
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