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Focalin XR User Reviews & Ratings

Focalin XR has an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 from a total of 110 reviews on Drugs.com. 62% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

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ADHD
6.8
110 reviews for ADHD 44 medications

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Reviews for Focalin XR

  • Lin...
  • June 10, 2019

For ADHD "My 14-year-old son took Focalin for 2 years. He ended his own life while on this med. We were never told that suicidal ideation is a possible side effect. It is now recently listed as a side effect. I would have never given this to my child had I known. Children cannot always express themselves and don't connect dark feelings with a medication they are taking. Please be aware with children on these types of drugs! Heartbroken mom"

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  • Moa...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 22, 2019

For ADHD "I’ve never commented on a drug before, but I feel compelled to here due to the number of negative reviews. Focalin has completely given me a life... I went from not being able to function to a person who is optimistic, looks forward to taking on the day, carries out tasks to completion, and enjoys doing so. It has given me the ability to be a much better man, husband, and father. Will it do the same for you? Maybe... maybe not. But if it does, the result is priceless."

10 / 10
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  • JDa...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 13, 2021

For ADHD "I've been taking Focalin for about two years, and I have this thing happen where I'm super calm and feel super clear and super focused for an hour, and then after that hour, I just have a lot of anxiety and can't think as clearly. Anyone else have that issue?"

5 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Bet...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 15, 2019

For ADHD "Our son was diagnosed with ADHD and Focalin XR has changed his life for the better. He is able to focus at school now and his performance, grades, and happiness have all improved. It was with heavy hearts that we finally decided to use medication because of the fear of what it might do long term and seeing zombied-out kids who no longer have personalities. Focalin didn't do this at all. Our son is still very much himself but without the stress of struggling so hard to focus. It has changed our lives. Teachers, coaches, and family have all noticed a wonderful outcome."

10 / 10
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  • CJa...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • April 4, 2019

For ADHD "These other comments are crazy and not relative to this drug vs others. I have taken almost every type of ADD med and this is the best by far. Methylphenidate has left and right branch isomers. The right branch helps with ADD and the left branch causes stimulant jittery side effects. Focalin/dexmethylphenidate is just the right branch. Once you get your dosing right (I take 25mg XR in the morning and 10mg IR in the afternoon) then it is the best. It is like a cure for ADD as opposed to taking a stimulant. By far the lightest side effects. It is less hard on the cardiovascular system than regular methylphenidate and does not create neurotoxins like many of the amphetamine family drugs i.e. Adderall. As long as you make yourself eat on it, then it is not noticeable."

10 / 10
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  • 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."

9 / 10
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  • lms...
  • July 11, 2013

For ADHD "My fifteen-year-old son has had behavioral problems since he was a toddler. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of five through very specific testing by a psychologist who specialized in ADHD. I was not going to put my son on medication because his teachers thought he was 'hyper'. There is a difference. He has been on every ADHD medication on earth with different side effects. None of them were as effective as finding Focalin XR. If a medication is not working or causing negative side effects on your child, do not give up! Sometimes you need to try a different combination of medications. My son did not start doing emotionally better and stabilize on his medication until he was twelve. I would not give up. Help is out there!"

10 / 10
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  • The...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 28, 2017

For ADHD "I have tried every ADHD drug medication available, both brand and generic (Ritalin XR, Ritalin IR, Adderall XR and IR, generic mixed amphetamine salts, Daytrana, Vyvanse, Strattera, some I can't even remember, if it exists, I've almost certainly tried it.) Focalin XR is the only one that works. Naturally, that also means that insurance companies don't want to cover it. If you're trying to get it covered and they're dragging their feet, don't give up! You have to jump through a lot of hoops and you have to fight every step of the way. Get your doctor to help you and talk to them. Do NOT give up. Insurance companies love to make it as difficult as possible for people to get effective meds. Don't let them do it."

10 / 10
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  • KRA...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 28, 2012

For ADHD "I am a 60-year-old male with ADHD, who would have ever thought it? I started using Focalin IR 5 mg after cutting it into four (4) pieces. I would take one-quarter piece every three hours. It took me from being nonproductive to productive again with very few side effects. I am now taking Focalin XR, 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg 6 hours later in the afternoon. I think my ideal dose will end up at 15 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the afternoon to reach the optimal dose. The only side effects have been heartburn, a slight headache, and being a little jittery with an occasional outburst of anger. I can handle the side effects, which have subsided somewhat, to get the wonderful effects of this medication! ALIVE AGAIN AT 60 years old!"

9 / 10
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  • Bra...
  • March 27, 2014

For ADHD "My son is 13 and was put on Focalin for his ADHD when he was about 7 years old. It did not make him a zombie at all. My ex-husband was very concerned that it would do what Ritalin did to him. Focalin for my son just calmed him down enough to do his class work. He was first just taking one in the mornings and then as he got older and got more class work to do, we realized that it was not lasting him, so he got put on a low dose for in the afternoon. His grades improved so much and yet he still had a lot of energy to blow through."

10 / 10
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  • 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."

9 / 10
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  • Mr ...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 10, 2014

For ADHD "Let me explain what can go wrong here and what you may want to speak with your doctor about. Focalin XR's effect is much, much, much stronger than Concerta or Ritalin. This is very important to understand, so if you are thinking of switching to Focalin XR from another medication, do not go to a similar strength. I was on Concerta 54mg and went to Focalin XR 40mg. This was a scary experience. I got dizzy, almost passed out, and couldn't tell you what 1+1 was. It was horrible, to say the least. I discontinued the Focalin and tried Adderall. That made me grumpy and sick. I did research and found out about Focalin's potency. I am now on Focalin XR 15mg and doing awesome."

9 / 10
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  • Fra...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 11, 2020

For ADHD "I was on Focalin XR when I was 5. I think it is a good medication learning-wise, but at the same time, it drains you. It takes your happiness and joy away. It’s like you are completely numb to joy. When I’m off of it, I can’t focus, but I am always so joyous and happy. When I’m on it, I focus perfectly, but I am very zombied out, and it is a horrible feeling."

2 / 10
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  • 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."

8 / 10
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  • 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."

8 / 10
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  • 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!"

10 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 13, 2023

For ADHD "“I don’t care what anyone else says about this medication, it is the WORST for kids. I started taking this when I was 10 years old, and it was a nightmare. This medication gave me anxiety attacks to the point that I would just sit on my bed and stare at the wall, all zoned out for sometimes even 30 minutes. Focalin XR caused me to act like a zombie, and every day when I was trying to focus in class, I would not be able to listen to the teacher. It would make my eyes feel very heavy and tired, but when I tried to take naps, I could not. Every day, unwanted thoughts would crowd my mind and would make it very hard to function. Once I was sitting down on the gym floor waiting to be picked up, and I started to continuously zone out, and one of the teachers watching everyone asked if I was okay. Whenever I would walk down my school hall, I would almost bump into people because my brain could not process where I was going. DO NOT GET THIS, PLEASE. No one believes me about this."

1 / 10
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  • 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."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 3, 2011

For ADHD "This has been a Godsend. I have Executive Functioning issues with possible undiagnosed ADD and I have tried many, many different prescriptions (Adderall, Concerta, Meditate, Vyvanse) and none have worked nearly as well as Focalin. The ones listed above put a lot of load/pressure on my brain. It's hard to explain, but it was not pleasant. On Focalin, I am much more attentive and there's no body load. Others also cut my appetite significantly and kept me awake at night. While Focalin still cuts my appetite some, I am able to go to sleep when I need to. 10/10, but remember just because it worked for me doesn't mean it's going to for you. I suggest trying them all and seeing which one has the best synergy with your body."

10 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • December 10, 2016

For ADHD "I am 18 years old. I was diagnosed with ADHD just a couple of months after starting kindergarten. I was having trouble paying attention, got in trouble every day; seeing the principal 2-3 times every 2 weeks was normal. I started taking Focalin at 5. My grades improved, my conduct improved, and I could focus. I took it every weekday I was in school. It killed my appetite, I became dehydrated a lot, and I didn't get all the nutrients I needed to grow properly (16, 124 lbs). I stopped taking it in 7th grade at my discretion, and my grades dropped instantly; my conduct went back. In 11th grade, I started back, and instantly my grades improved. The only drawback is I have to force myself to eat."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 23, 2014

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD when I was seven, I think. I had behavior issues in my second-grade class, and I drove my teacher nuts with my constant distractions and my lack of focus. Little things like small talk and excessive noises triggered my symptoms, and I was put on Ritalin LA when I was eight. Ritalin was awful for me. I didn't sleep very well at all. I had periods of insomnia, and when I would sleep, it was very prolonged in hours of sleep I was getting. Finally, after a couple of years suffering with this Ritalin, I talked with my doctor about trying a new medicine called Focalin XR when I was 13, and I am almost 18 now. Focalin XR has been really wonderful for me. My focus is better. It does cause diarrhea and mood swings."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 11, 2009

For Auditory Processing Disorder "My son, age 9, was recently diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder. CAPD has a lot of the same 'symptoms' as Inattentive ADHD. After struggling with the best way to help my son and meeting with his pediatrician, we decided to give Focalin XR a try. We have seen amazing, wonderful progress. My son feels/is successful at school, he's able to focus, gets his work done, etc, all with very minimal side effects. We couldn't be happier! I realize medicines are not for everyone and many, like me, are hesitant to even try them. But I am here to tell you that it has made a very big difference for my son."

10 / 10
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  • Dsf...
  • August 21, 2012

For ADHD "My son started Focalin 5 mg when he was first diagnosed with ADHD. He was six at that time. While he did seem to be a bit more focused, the mood swings were VERY significant. He became volatile, reacting with violent outbursts and temper tantrums at the slightest provocation. After a while, his attention span declined, but his mood swings did not. His teacher noted that, even on medication, he was still having problems staying focused and on task. Upping the dosage would only have made his withdrawal worse, according to his pediatrician. I have known other children on Focalin who have had similar experiences with the medication. After six months (giving his body time to 'adjust' to the medication), we took him off. Trying Concerta."

2 / 10
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  • 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."

10 / 10
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  • mat...
  • December 6, 2014

For ADHD "I'm an adult who has taken this off and on for 4 years. I've always had trouble concentrating, and Focalin is an effective fix. I do think there are minor side effects, though. It makes me feel much more focused and less worried/panicked about what I need to do. Unlike others, though, I would not say it calms me down, I feel like it actually stresses me out more. When I take this, I'm more serious and easily annoyed, and I can't relax. I have also found that my appetite drops off and that I don't sleep very deeply. Overall, a great medicine, but for me and many ADHD people, our symptoms are brought out due to simply a lack of strenuous physical exercise (1 hr) every day. When on a regular exercise and sleep schedule, I do not need it."

8 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.