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Dexmethylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational, social, and other treatments.It is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This medication helps increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help improve listening skills, help you to stop fidgeting, and allow you to organize your tasks better.This drug may also be used for certain sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy). This medication should not be used to treat severe depression or tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Focalin XR
Uses
Dexmethylphenidate is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational, social, and other treatments.It is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This medication helps increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help improve listening skills, help you to stop fidgeting, and allow you to organize your tasks better.This drug may also be used for certain sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy). This medication should not be used to treat severe depression or tiredness or to hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.
- It is against the law.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, blood counts) may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Storage
- Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: severe mental/mood changes, confusion, severe/persistent headache, irregular/pounding heartbeat, severe restlessness, fast breathing, flushing, sweating, and widened pupils.
How To Use
- Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using dexmethylphenidate and each time you get a refill.
- If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily as soon as you wake up in the morning or as directed by your doctor.
- Taking this medication late in the day may cause trouble sleeping (insomnia).The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
- Your doctor may adjust your dose to find the dose that is best for you.
- The total daily dose is usually 20 milligrams or less.
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.Do not crush or chew the capsules.
- Swallow the medication whole.
- If you have difficulty swallowing this medication whole, the capsule may be carefully opened and the contents sprinkled on a spoonful of applesauce.
- Immediately after mixing, swallow the mixture without chewing.
- Chewing the mixture may destroy the long action of the drug and may increase the risk of side effects.
- Do not mix and store for future use.Methylphenidate and dexmethylphenidate are different medications and do not provide the same amount of medicine.
- Do not switch between products unless your doctor tells you to.Use this medication regularly and exactly as prescribed in order to get the most benefit from it.
- To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time (more than a few weeks) or if it has been used in high doses.
- In such cases, if you suddenly stop this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms of such reactions such as depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental/mood changes.
- When stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Though it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit forming).
- Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.
- Properly stop the medication when so directed.
- This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
- Your doctor may recommend drug holidays when your medication is stopped temporarily so that behavior can be re-evaluated.
Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping, dizziness, dry mouth, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, headache, nervousness, loss of appetite, or weight loss may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: high fever, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., stiffness, twitching, shaking), mental/mood/behavior changes (e.g., agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, hallucinations, abnormal behavior/thoughts), outbursts of words/sounds, severe sweating, swelling of the ankles/feet, extreme tiredness, blurred vision.Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: shortness of breath, fainting, blurred vision, slurred speech, confusion, easy bleeding/bruising, chest/jaw/left arm pain, severe headache, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, signs of infection (fever, persistent sore throat), seizures, weakness.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing..If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking dexmethylphenidate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to methylphenidate; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., agitation, psychosis), heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat/rhythm, coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure, cardiomyopathy), problems with heart structure (e.g., valve problems), history of heart attack or stroke, severe anxiety/tension, certain eye problem (glaucoma), personal or family history of uncontrolled muscle movements (motor tics, Tourette's syndrome), seizures.Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: history of alcohol/drug abuse, family history of sudden death/irregular heartbeat/rhythm, heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack, heart failure, abnormal heartbeat), high blood pressure, family/personal history of mental/mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression, psychotic disorder, suicidal thoughts), history of seizure disorders, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).This drug may cause dizziness and blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring clear vision or alertness such as driving or using machinery.Caution is advised when using this drug in children because it may affect weight, growth rate, and final height.
- The doctor may recommend temporarily stopping the medication from time to time to reduce this risk.
- Monitor your child's weight and height and consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember in the morning hours.
- If it is later in the day or near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, or after treatment with this medication.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for additional information.If you are currently taking any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline, SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, venlafaxine), medication for high blood pressure (e.g., beta blockers, clonidine, guanethidine), medications that increase blood pressure/decongestants (e.g., epinephrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), anti-seizure medicine (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), other stimulant medications (e.g., amphetamines).Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with dexmethylphenidate such as bupropion, isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine) among others.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.Check the labels on all your medicines/herbal products (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, ephedra/ma huang).
- Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products.Do not use prescription or non-prescription antacids/heart burn relievers/acid blockers (e.g., famotidine, omeprazole, magnesium/aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate) without talking with your doctor.
- Changing the amount of acid in your stomach may affect how this medication works.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, colas).
- Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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