Focalin XR User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2012

For ADHD "My son has been on Focalin XR for a few years and we started at 15mg once a day and he seemed to do fine for a while and then teachers noticed some problems with attention. We have never had behavior problems and he has always seemed happy in school and at home. We increased to 20mg a day about 6-9 months ago and he just now told me that he is having suicidal thoughts and has been for a while, so will be talking to his doctor about cutting it back to 15mg a day and see if this helps."

• Evano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2019

For ADHD "I’ve had ADHD for a very long time and didn’t start taking Focalin until (11th grade) I tried other stimulants in middle school but gave up because disliked the way they made me feel. Focalin does its job. It helps me focus and get work done, however, I do get shaky and anxious while on the drug. My appetite is also effected. You just have to decide if the side-effects are worth the outcome."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2015

For ADHD "My daughter was 6 when she started it and her school work has improved dramatically. The only side effect is that she is not hungry, and we have to force her to eat. At 5:30pm 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 highschool (I'm 26 now). Generally 5-10mg 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 affect 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."

• Momma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2013

For ADHD "I gave my 4 year old his first dose at 7 am on a Friday- by 3pm he was running, hitting back flips off the bed and could not stay asleep. I called the doctor she said discontinue. His heart was beating out his chest- I was so scared I sat and watched him all night and his heart beat like that through the next day. No more stimulants for him. "

• Nan
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 2, 2022

For ADHD "I've taken Focalin XR for 15 years, and started in the 1st grade. It worked well when I was a kid, because it would turn my brain on for the school day, then I'd go back to my normal self by dinner. Now that I'm an adult, this window of useful brain time is less effective, but a longer lasting dose gives me insomnia. The feeling of being on or off gets very stressful, and isn't great for my relationships. When the medication wears off, I get exhausted and crash. I loved my meds as a kid when it felt like I had a school mode and a play mode, but as an adult I'm leaning more towards more subtle non stimulant options."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2010

For ADHD "I am an adult, recently diagnosed with ADD. Probably had it my whole life, but now I am doing something about it. My doctor prescribed this medication, and at first, I was so focused and improving my error ratios at work. The only thing, even after increasing my dose, it wears off. By 1:00 PM, I am tired and can go to sleep. I think I am going to ask my doctor to give me the non-extended so I can take it in the AM and PM. Other than that, it is a great medicine, and I don't have the non-appetite side effect, in fact, it makes me want to eat more."

• 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 min after he takes the pill- 6hrs later. He drinks cyproheptad syrup 2mg to help boost his appetite while on the Focalin."

• TJ Wa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2022

For ADHD "Well I've been on focalin for over a month now and I can honestly ask is this normal for most people? I never wanted to take any drugs for my autism and ADHD but after it almost costing me my marriage, spending time with my daughter, almost losing my career and losing my car keys lol, I decided to take a pharmaceutical approach. I have felt the rush and energy but I feel more calm and collected. I can actually understand more social situations now and I don't have a lot of my autism ticks when I'm on focalin. I feel calm relaxed and focused. My anxiety is gone now and my depression has subsided because it was autism oriented. I have gone from almost losing my job to being someone my company doesn't want to lose. My marriage rebounded and we are doing great again after therapy of course but we are doing great again. I enjoy every second with my daughter without my ADHD, anxiety or depression kicking in. I have a little withdrawal from it since I only take it 5 to 6 days a week as needed"

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2011

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 7. I started with Concerta to treat it but as time went on the side effects and the dosage being 135mg was getting annoying. I have noticed that Focalin XR has fewer side effects than Concerta. Also, I eat a good deal more and I can sleep when taking it. I also read in the comments that the maximum dosage is 20mg? I take 35mg and will probably up my dose. Other than that it is a very good medication."

• 17...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

For ADHD "I see a lot of negative reviews, however Focalin XR is doing very well for me and my ADHD! I have been taking medications since I was in the first grade, and I can definitely tell the difference when I’m on this medication. I think my dose still needs to be messed with a little, but I feel a lot better. The only problem is that I’m losing a little bit of weight. Not a bad thing, but something to keep an eye on."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2022

For ADHD "This is probably the best medication I have been on for ADHD. My first day taking I feel calm, focused, and able to deal with frustrations at work in a very peaceful mindset. Would highly recommend this medication."

• Galet...
• April 13, 2013

For Auditory Processing Disorder "Helps tremendously to focus and stay focused to get something finished vs 10 things started and nothing finished! There is a correlation between auditory processing disorder and ADHD/ADD. Many of us with ADHD/ADD have hearing issues, and "Intelligibility" is a HUGE issue when trying to learn. Unfortunately, the so-called 'hearing tests' provided by schools are directed at deafness, not Intelligibility - if a student is unable to hear/understand words, than how much education "can/do" they actually receive? Focalin has helped me with both, but I also required hearing aids - which wasn't done until I was 28 yrs old and "demanded" a full hearing test WITH a simple back-to-back repeating of similar sounding words, I only got 60% right. "

• Ameli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 4, 2016

For ADHD "I've been taking 20mg of Focalin XR for the past 2 years and have experienced great improvement in mental function and all around health. Focalin has allowed me to focus and be aware of a situation. I have been more efficient at work, more aware of my health and wellbeing, and able to process situations more appropriately. My biggest complaint has been with sleep patterns. Some nights I can sleep 6 hours or I can sleep for 14 and I CAN NOT fall asleep right away. My FitBit has mixed reports, but they are questionable. This is something I have tried to "tweak" with my doctor, but we have not had any success. My second complaint is nausea, but that we have been able to tweak with food consumption and timing."

• A...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2022

For ADHD "I take 15mg of focalin (Extended release) In the morning before I go to college and it helps me focus and stuff but once lunch time comes it's starting to wear off. So I think I'm going to get a immediate release afternoon dose of focalin that's short acting to take in the afternoon and that short acting so I can still sleep at night"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

For ADHD "My daughter started this medication about 3 months ago. Her grades and reading levels have soared and we don't have as much trouble getting her to concentrate on homework but when it comes time for bed, she's a handful and irritable still when confronted with certain tasks to be done like chores. I am not going to consider another medication on top of this but will instead consider a behavior intervention."

• Mom...
• September 17, 2008

For ADHD "My son is 13 and he has tried several different prescriptions for ADHD. This one does seem to be the best so far. I have read about the max of dose being 20 ml and that is what he is on. Once the medicine wears off he can be very difficult to manage with his attitude and behavior. It is ends up being a very stressful situation when he gets this way. "

• Neary
• December 8, 2016

For ADHD "My son takes Focalin XR for his adhd. I like the medicine but my only complaint is a side effect that is not listed anywhere when I research Focalin. The side effect my son experiences is digging in the ear or the sensation of something in his ear that he needs to get out. The higher the dosage the worse the digging is. I have talked to the doctors, had his ears checked and put on allergey medicines, he still digs in his ears. He does really well with the medicine in school and activities out side of school. I have not seen any other side effect for this medication."

• 44frye
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2023

For ADHD "Prescribed 20mg. Gives me terrible nausea and last about 3 hours before a huge crash that renders me even worse than before taking it. I really wish my doctor would just fill my old prescription of Dexedrine but she refuses because “there’s better medicines out there”. Been on straterra, Vyvanse, Adderall, intuniv, and now this, and nothing has come close to working as well as Dexedrine"

• Max
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For ADHD "Long story short I was previously on Vyvanse 40mg a day, and I decided I wanted to try Focalin XR. Before that I was on Concerta and absolutely hated it, when I was a kid I apparently did very well on it, but not anymore. So I decided to give Focalin XR a try, and it works very well! The only 2 issues I have is the questionable quality of the release beads among certain generic manufacturer, and the severity of the crash."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2010

For ADHD "My son started taking this at 6, he was violent with family members, and would not pay attention in class, refusing to do homework, sometimes hitting other kids. He had never been on any other behavior modification medication before. We noticed a big difference when he started taking Focalin XR. His teacher started sending home good notes. He was doing well in school, but by the time he got home the medication had worn off, and we were dealing with the same problems. Now he has been on it for 2 months, it seems as though his body has just gotten used to the medicine and his former behavior had taken over. Now we are consulting his Doctor to see if the medication needs to be increased, or where to go from here."

• College...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2023

For ADHD "I've been taking generic Concerta for a couple of years now, but I found out that the manufacturer stopped making it, so I have to try something else. I got prescribed Focalin ER 10 mg, and I was taking Concerta 27 mg. I'd say Focalin makes my brain go faster and gives me racing thoughts but doesn't necessarily make me more effective. It feels as if I drank coffee throughout the day. I definitely don't enjoy life as much on this medication, and I'm thinking of switching to something else. I'm tired of the anxiety and fast heart rate as well. Concerta made me feel more capable and effective as a person, and this medication does not."

• Cool...
• 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 recommend Focalin XR, and I really can't recommend it enough. About a week after taking Focalin (10mg 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."

• Focalin...
• March 8, 2016

For ADHD "My son started haveing behavior problems in pre school. We had some teachers put up with it while the next year another wouldn't. They'de go out of their way to displine him,cause face it their human and just didn't like him. He still got straight a's and b's. We decided hey he's just hyped he has good grades we re not gonna dope our kid up. We'll we moved he went to a new school where teachers didn't know him and they started letting him fall behind. In principles office everday. Then we found foclin it was night and day.They put him in special classe last three months of year. By the end of three months they had already decided he didn't need the classes and for three years now a lilltle babytalk no incidents or trips to office."

• Johns...
• 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 get shaky. Grades seemed to improve slightly. Not worth it at all."