Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and Focalin XR for Attention
Deficit Disorder.
A number of ADHD medications have hit the market over the past
five years, joining the old Ritalin standby.
Concerta and
Adderall, thanks to
extensive marketing, have already grabbed a sizeable portion of
the ADHD medication market share.
Strattera
joined these ADHD medications in 2003. The FDA approved Focalin (dexmethylphenidate),
a modified version of Ritalin, in November 2001 for use in
children. The extended release version, Focalin XR, was approved
for adult use in June 2005.
Focalin is about 70 percent effective in decreasing the symptoms
of Attention Deficit Disorder, which is about the same level of
effectiveness to
Ritalin, Concerta,
Adderall and Strattera. Although the prevailing ADHD medications
have about the same level of effectiveness on the general
population, children and adults react differently to the different
formulations. Ritalin might produce severe side effects while
Focalin side effects might be minimal. Adderall side effects could
present themselves differently than Strattera side effects.
In most cases the Focalin side effects are mild but some, though
rare, are life-threatening. Nervousness, insomnia and appetite
changes are the most common adverse Focalin side effects. People
considering Focalin need to be clear about the benefits as well as
the potential side effects – including the potential for abuse and
addiction - before taking Focalin XR or administering Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
to their children.
Common Focalin side effects include:
_ Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
_ Loss of appetite, subsequent weight loss, stunted growth (with
long-term use in children)
_ Nervousness, agitation, irritability, restlessness
_ Stomach aches
_ Headaches
_ Dry mouth
_ Nausea
_ Dizziness
_ Pulse changes
_ Fever or chills
_ Vomiting
Although the following side effects are less common, these side
effects are more serious in nature;
_ Abnormal muscular movements, jerking or twitching body movements
_ Depression
_ Emotional instability, changes in mood or behavior
_ Hallucinations,
_ Hair loss
_ Joint pain
_ Purplish skin spots or bruises
_ Skin rash, hives
_ Skin inflammation with peeling
_ Tourette's syndrome
_ Blurred vision.
_ Anxiety or severe nervousness
_ Bruising
_ Over-focused, staring-type behavior
_ Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, palpitations
_ Increased blood pressure
_ Seizures
All ADHD medications with the exception of Straterra are powerful
stimulants classified as Schedule II narcotics in the Controlled
Substances Act since 1971. Schedule II is the classification for
medical drugs with the highest abuse potential and addiction
profile.
Therefore, these ADHD medications should be given cautiously to
patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism.
Using Focalin for an extended period of time can produce
addiction. It is also possible to develop tolerance, so that
larger doses are needed to produce the original effect. Withdrawal
from should be done only under medical supervision.
People seeking ADHD relief should carefully evaluate Focalin
information and side effects before deciding to take Focalin (dexmethylphenidate).
Only you can decide if Focalin is the best means of treating ADHD
symptoms. People wishing to avoid the side effects of
pharmaceutical stimulants have choices for safe and effective
natural treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder.
Attend is a safe and effective ADHD treatment scientifically
formulated to improve focus and concentration without the
potentially harmful side effects commonly associated with
stimulant medication. Self-help techniques, psychotherapy, diet
and lifestyle changes or a combination of approaches have also
successfully worked at treating Attention Deficit Disorder.
Focalin is not recommended if you have the following medical
conditions:
_ Heart or blood vessel-related diseases (e.g., arteriosclerosis,
cardiovascular disease),
_ High blood pressure,
_ Over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism),
_ Glaucoma
_ Emotional instability (anxiety, tension and agitation),
_ Mental illness, including bipolar disorder, depression, mania or
schizophrenia
_ Personal or family history of motion tics (repeated,
uncontrollable twitches), verbal tics (uncontrollable repetition
of words or sounds), or someone who suffers from, or has a family
history of, Tourette's syndrome
_ Seizure disorders
_ Growth problems
_ History of alcohol or drug abuse
_ Liver disease
Focalin should not be used by people who have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as the antidepressants Nardil and
Parnate, within the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction can
occur if combined with MAO inhibitors.
It is recommended that, since safety and effectiveness of this and
all other ADHD medications has not been established and can cause
especially severe reactions in children under 6 years of age, this
drug should not be used for that age group.
Focalin can be helpful in the short term in reducing ADHD symptoms
but no physician will claim that it cures ADHD. Stimulants used
for ADHD symptoms merely postpone dealing with the root cause of
the behavioral and attentional problems.
Many people with Attention Deficit Disorder and parents of children with
Attention Deficit Disorder find great Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD
success from diet supplementation
- especially with amino acids and essential
fatty acids - a shift in
parenting tactics, modifying the home and
school
environment, biofeedback, neuro-linguistic programming, stress relief measures
and exercise.
The greatest successes are found by being bold and trying a
combination of many measures.
If you want to eliminate the symptoms of Attention Deficit
naturally, and start living a more fulfilling and satisfying life
without the cost or side effects of prescription stimulant
medications, Attend is perfect for you. Safely order Attend online
today on this secure site.
*This drug information does not endorse Focalin, diagnose patients
or recommend therapy. This information is intended to supplement,
not substitute, the expertise and judgment of your physician,
pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be
construed to indicate that using Focalin is safe or appropriate
for you.
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