Focalin vs. Ritalin

• Are Focalin and Ritalin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Focalin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ritalin?
• What Is Focalin?
• What Is Ritalin?
• What Drugs Interact with Focalin?
• What Drugs Interact with Ritalin?
• How Should Focalin Be Taken?
• How Should Ritalin Be Used?

Focalin(dexmethylphenidate) andRitalin(methylphenidatehydrochloride) arecentral nervous systemstimulants used to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Ritalin is also used to treatnarcolepsy.

Side effectsof Focalin and Ritalin that are similar includestomachupset orpain, loss of appetite,dry mouth,headache, orsleepproblems (insomnia)

Side effects of Focalin that are different from Ritalin include restlessness,anxiety, feeling jittery, orsore throat.

Side effects of Ritalin that are different from Focalin includeweight loss,dizziness,nausea, vomiting,lightheadedness, irritability, nervousness,blurred visionor other vision problems,constipation,sweating,skinrash, numbness/tingling/cold feelinginyour hands orfeet, blue fingers or toes, increasedblood pressure, or (rarely) drowsiness.

Both Focalin and Ritalin may interact withantidepressants,bloodpressure medications, blood thinners, cold orallergymedicines that contain adecongestant, orseizuremedicines.

Ritalin may also interact withclonidine,dobutamine,epinephrine, isoproterenol,potassiumcitrate,sodium acetate,sodium bicarbonate, citric acid,potassium citrate,sodiumcitrate and citric acid, stimulant medications, or diet pills.

Withdrawal symptomsmay occur if you suddenly stop taking Focalin or Ritalin.

Common side effects of Focalin include:

• restlessness,
• anxiousness,
• 感觉紧张,
• stomach upset,
• loss of appetite,
• drymouth,
• sorethroat,
• headache, or
• sleep problems (insomnia)

Common side effects of Ritalin include:

• nervousness,
• agitation,
• anxiety,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• palpitations,
• headache,
• vision problems,
• increasedheart rate,
• increased blood pressure,
• sweating,
• skin rash,
• psychosis, and
• numbness,
• tingling, or
• cold feeling in your hands or feet.

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a mild stimulant to thecentralnervous system used to treatattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder (ADHD).

Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulantprescriptionmedicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ritalin may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Ritalin should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Ritalin is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Ritalin is a federally controlledsubstance(CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Ritalin in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Ritalin may harm others, and is against the law.

Tell yourdoctorif you or your child have (or have afamily history)的滥用或被依赖onalcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

Focalin XRmay interact with MAO inhibitors,antacids, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, clonidine,seizure medications, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Focalin XR should be used only when prescribed duringpregnancy. It is not known if thismedicationpasses intobreast milk. Consult your doctor beforebreastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines,vitamins, andherbalsupplements. Ritalin and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Ritalin.

Your doctor will decide whether Ritalin can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• anti-depressionmedicines including MAOIs
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• blood pressure medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you toshowyour doctor andpharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Ritalin without talking to your doctor first.

The recommended starting dose of Focalin XR is 5mg/day forpediatricpatients and 10 mg/day for adult patients. Dosage may be adjusted in 5 mg increments for pediatric patients and in 10 mg increments for adult patients.

• Take Ritalin exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Ritalin is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day.
• Take Ritalin 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Ritalin treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• 你的医生可能会进行常规checks of the blood,heart, and blood pressure while taking Ritalin. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Ritalin. Ritalin treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
If you or your child takes too much Ritalin or overdoses, call your doctor orpoison control centerright away, or get emergency treatment.