Focalin XR and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Llt...
• February 1, 2014

For ADHD "I have two children currently taking Focalin XR. My 12-year-old daughter has been on it for three years, and my nine-year-old son has been on it for one year. We have seen fantastic results with both of them. We have seen, as many others have said, that the medicine seems to wear off about the time they get home from school. What we do is they have a small snack and take a small afternoon dose of 5 to 10 mg of regular Focalin to help them get to their homework and evening activities. If it is a no homework day or no activity day, we opt to not take this medicine in the evening, and we do not take the evening dose on the weekends. We do take the morning dose every day of the week. We've not had any major side effects. The only thing we have noticed is a slight decrease in my son's appetite, not my daughter's. We have also had to adjust medication as they have grown. But we have had wonderful success with both children on the medication."

• Pap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2013

For ADHD "Our Facts: Son was getting into trouble at school every day. He was a terror around the house. His diet was exceptional, eating vegetables, fish, fruit, rice, and no sugary drinks or high fructose corn syrup. Lots of love and discipline at home. Got in trouble all the time at home and school because he's uncontrollable. With Focalin, he immediately improved and is doing great in school. He is actually happier and feeling better now. While his appetite is down while on the medicine (about 7 hours), he eats a huge breakfast and a huge dinner to compensate. Even his tick has gone away. We are very relieved. Only downside is that it only lasts about 7 hours. So when he gets home, he starts amping up again."

• Jos...
• April 9, 2015

For ADHD "I'm 17 now. Been taking the medicine for maybe 3-4 years now. Honestly, it's fantastic in what it does. Better concentration, less impulsive, able to actually sit down and work, more control over my mood/emotions and it's worth repeating. Less impulsive. But please know that because of this, I also weigh 129 lbs. I'm 6 feet tall. This completely kills my appetite. I've gone a full 24 days without any real meal and hate it. I hate feeling my stomach in pain and feeling weak because I have nothing to fuel me, but still my mouth stays dry, and eating food becomes so non-instinctive that I have to force myself to go through the motions of chewing and swallowing. When off it, appetite is fine. Great medicine, please be aware of the effects possible."

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 21, 2025

For ADHD "So my experience with Focalin XR went okay. It had its positives and negatives, let's start with the positives. Of course, it helped my focus a lot, and it made a sense of good feeling after taking the medication. Now, you really gotta watch out for this: when I tell you it was very hard for me to sleep, eat, and after a while after taking the medication, I felt like a zombie and I felt depressed. Now, thank you, I hope my review helped you!"

• ext...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 25, 2015

For ADHD "My son was diagnosed at 4 and has been through almost all the drugs for ADHD, which would typically fail because of side effects, i.e., zombieing out or hypersensitivity, and the simplest things would make him cry. He has been diagnosed by two of the biggest and best-known hospitals for children (2 separate occasions) with the 0.001% extreme ADHD, and let me tell you, Focalin has been a godsend. He is 10 now, on Focalin XR 25 mg, his grades are up, and he receives left and right compliments from teachers who usually had complaints, with no reported behavioral issues yet. The only small downside is appetite suppression. A big healthy meal before the med, small high-cal snacks after school and dinner, and a big healthy dinner, and you're set. While on meds, you can't even tell he has ADHD!"

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2013

For ADHD "Our son has been on Focalin XR for about 3 months. He was on regular Focalin for 2 months prior to the XR, but because the medication would wear off so quickly, it was like he was on an emotional roller coaster. The XR has been better for those reasons. I still struggle with having my son on medication and the fact that his appetite is so little while on the medicine. But I'm happy to report he's doing well in school and cooperating. I don't like that he seems so serious when he's on the medicine because I don't want a little robot. But I can't have my son be so impulsive and unsafe. I also don't like that the medication wears off right around the time he gets home and he tantrums and acts terrible and all I do is correct behavior."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2016

For ADHD "I have an 8-year-old with ADHD, ODD, and anxiety, and a 7-year-old with ADHD. We tried everything before going to meds - healthy diet (no sugar/dyes), exercise, consistent schedule. Both boys have taken Focalin XR for a year (started with low dosages and increased as they grew), and it's been life-changing! The meds have drastically improved their grades, behaviors, and relationships. Both boys take a small dose of Focalin with lunch to get through the afternoon and a small dose of Clonidine in the evening to slow things down for bedtime. Focalin XR has been our saving grace - now, instead of CONSTANT redirection, we can actually go do things and have fun. The only side effects are suppressed appetite, but they are both a healthy weight."

• Gab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 13, 2016

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5. My parents stopped medication a few years later. I was re-evaluated at 25 and given Focalin XR. I have been on it for 8 years and have nothing but great things to say about it. I feel focused and in control when on it. When I'm off it, time drags by, and I can't seem to finish anything. I haven't experienced many side effects. Periodically, I have less of an appetite and occasionally clench my teeth, but other than that, all is well."

• Mac...
• August 19, 2015

For ADHD "My son was diagnosed with ADHD about 6 months ago, he is 7 years old. This medicine works great. He's not zombified. Helps him to really focus and helps with school. The only side effect I noticed is he doesn't have an appetite, and it wears off about 4 pm, and he eats like crazy then. No mood swings. Very satisfied with this medication."

• Bla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 6, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 5, and my experience overall has been amazing. I've been on it for 12 years now. I take 40 mg once in the morning and in the afternoon, and by like 6 pm it wears off (by the way, I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 225 lb thanks to this medication). The only bad parts or symptoms I'm having are that caffeine has no effect on me anymore (probably built up a tolerance thanks to the Focalin), I don't always sleep too well, and ever since I turned like 14, my appetite went from non-existent to out of control (don't know why...). I'm 17 now and am an A- student, whereas I was an F student before. I definitely recommend this, but I should warn you all it's not for everyone. There are alternatives."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

For ADHD "Our 11-year-old son is diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type and has been on this medicine for 14 months now. It made a big difference for him. He is on 15 mg Focalin XR. If he doesn't take it for a day, the teacher can really tell the difference. He can focus now and became a part of the class, contributes to the conversation, and also has an easier time with his social life. He doesn't hate school anymore. We don't see any behavioral issues at home when it wears off. He has appetite loss, so he eats a big breakfast before he takes the medication. He also got used to eating sandwiches at school even if he is not hungry. It became a part of his routine."

• Bob...
• February 19, 2013

For ADHD "I am loving all these comments about this medication, and I thought I was the only one in the world who had these same issues. My 1 lb 13 oz daughter had to have a tracheotomy in for 4 years, got it removed, and immediately began acting out, which led to ODD and ADHD. Went through all the medicines, I am a nurse by the way. I found this, and I am sticking to it. It does have an appetite suppression effect and only lasts 6 hours peak time. After 3 pm after school, it wears off, and let me tell you it's on until I give her clonidine 0.1 mg tab at night (helps to sleep). I don't know where to go from here. Luck and God bless you all."

• 25w...
• May 3, 2008

For ADHD "I had a lot of success with Focalin. I felt like my brain got turned off, which was a good thing! I could sit through my classes and actually get stuff done. I stopped losing things, and I got things done faster and with ease. I lost weight, which was pretty cool. I didn't have too many side effects that I can recall, except for the lack of appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 8, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type at age 20, in my junior year of college (about 2.5 years ago). I started on Focalin XR 10 mg, and while it took me a while to get used to how to work around the meds (I had to change from doing schoolwork late at night to early in the morning), it has done nothing but help me. The only thing I found was that when I interned and now that I've been working for a year, it doesn't help me (I'm on the phone a lot and it makes me have some issues bouncing around a conversation - too focused on one thing). Cons: absolutely no appetite from about half an hour after taking it, 6/7 hours later, really stiff neck, crazy distracted/hungry/drained when it wears off."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2015

For ADHD "My daughter was 6 when she started it, and her schoolwork has improved dramatically. The only side effect is that she is not hungry, and we have to force her to eat. At 5:30 pm when it wears off, she is hungry and distracted."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2019

For ADHD "I've taken it on and off since I was in high school (I'm 26 now). Generally, 5-10 mg has worked best for me. It helps me a lot when there are tasks I need extra focus on, and a lower dose can help in social situations. I found it to be helpful for school, and more recently at work. The worst side effect for me is a loss of appetite. I find that I have to totally guess how hungry I am and force it down so I don't get brain fog. It relieves anxiety in that I can finally do what I need to, but it raises anxiety in general. I try to take it as little as possible and haven't experienced any issues taking it sporadically. Just keep the dose low."

• AJa...
• August 2, 2020

For ADHD "My 7-year-old was on 5 mg of Focalin XR for 2 months. A lot of his quirky behavior went away, but not all. He was up until 10 or 11 pm every night and told us he had too much energy. Per the advice of the doctor, we took a 4-day break, and he went to bed at 9:30 all nights. We are day one of 10 mg, hoping that more of his quirky behavior goes away. It’s now 11:30 pm, and he’s wide awake. My son is perky and his same silly self - I can’t identify with other reviews that said it makes kids zombie-like. I did not have that experience at all. Hoping things get better soon, though. Also, it has not affected appetite either. He eats well, thank God."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2015

For ADHD "My son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4 years old. He is now 7. Before finding Focalin, his doctor started him on Ritalin, he was only on it for 3 days because it made him zombified and depressive with many mood swings. Then he started Vyvanse for a few weeks, but it gave him some kind of allergic reaction in his throat. Finally, he was put on Focalin 10ml, and for the last 3 years, it has been doing him great. He does awesome in school, and also at home he can focus and he is happy. The only bad part is he has absolutely no appetite from 10 minutes after he takes the pill to 6 hours later. He drinks cyproheptadine syrup 2mg to help boost his appetite while on the Focalin."

• Coo...
• August 16, 2018

For ADHD "I've always had ADD, but didn't start trying to get help with it until I was about to start college. I tried Adderall for 2 weeks and became unable to eat and felt constantly awful. It was obvious Adderall wasn't working for me, so my doctor recommended Focalin XR, and I really can't recommend it enough. About a week after taking Focalin (10 mg twice daily), I went from that to being able to work without distraction for at least 4 hours. I could focus on all the things I enjoyed for longer periods. I was no longer asking my friends and others, 'I'm sorry, could you repeat that?' like I was before, constantly. It has also helped me with my depression. I feel so much more motivated, and I'm able to finally organize things without it feeling like a chore. Sadly, it's quite expensive unless you have very good insurance. My previous insurance covered it until I turned 19 at about $5, but with my current insurance, it's $170/month with a discount coupon."

• Abb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2021

For ADHD "When I first started, it was great, except that it made me less hungry. Very soon, however, I started to get angry on it, I would shake, I would binge on weekends after not eating all week, and I became depressed. I started it in third grade and finally got off it in eighth grade. Now I take Intuniv (2 mg), Lexapro (15 mg), Adderall XR (10 mg), and Adderall (5 mg). Obviously, I take a lot more medication, but I am stable, and a mixture of these medications works best for me. The only side effects from the Adderall XR and Adderall are slight appetite decrease and some tremors and ticking, but the Intuniv helps a little, and I just make sure to eat before my second dose of Adderall."

• Joh...
• July 13, 2019

For ADHD "Whenever I take this medication, I feel bored of everything. I will just sit and do nothing instead of doing things I normally enjoy. I am not hungry and become unsociable. Sometimes I get shaky. Grades seemed to improve slightly. Not worth it at all."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2022

For ADHD "OK, so maybe you will have someone trying to discredit this, but anyway, my son has been taking this stuff, and for 4 years, his mood is crazy. At first, a little anger at 5 years old, now 4 years later, he is much worse. He lost his want and need to eat and doesn't care about anything. He can't stay still, makes crazy faces. Don't give your child any of these drugs from them doctors, it's all a lie. Just look at the reviews and look at the side effects. Watch your kids, please. With all my heart, I say parents, y'all know best, not a person with a title. I'm sending love and strength to all. Question everything, please watch your kids."