Focalin

Be sure to tell the doctor if your child has blurred vision while taking Focalin; some people have reported visual disturbances while taking stimulants similar to this drug.

The use of Focalin by anyone with a seizure disorder or psychosis (abnormal thinking and hallucinations) is not recommended. Caution is also advisable for anyone with a history of emotional instability or substance abuse, due to the danger of addiction. Focalin should not be used for the prevention or treatment of normal fatigue, nor should it be used for the treatment of severe depression.

Do not share Focalin with anyone else, and give your child only the number of tablets prescribed by your doctor. Keep track of the number of tablets in a bottle so you will notice if any are missing. Not using Focalin correctly can lead to dependence; call the doctor immediately if you seem to be using more than the prescribed amount.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Focalin

If Focalin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Focalin with the following:

Antidepressant drugs, including MAO inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate), tricyclics (Elavil, Tofranil), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Prozac, Paxil)
Antiseizure drugs such as phenobarbital, Dilantin, and Mysoline
Blood pressure drugs such as Catapres
Blood thinners such as Coumadin
Herbal remedies such as ephedra and St. John's wort

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Focalin during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Focalin should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

It is not known whether Focalin appears in breast milk. Caution is advised if you are nursing a baby.

Recommended dosage

For people who are not currently taking Ritalin, the usual starting dose is 5 milligrams a day. For those who are switching from Ritalin, the starting Focalin dose is half the amount of the Ritalin dose. In either case, the total daily dose of Focalin should be divided into 2 doses taken at least 4 hours apart.

Depending on the response, your doctor may increase the dose by 2.5 to 5 milligrams a day, up to a maximum daily dose of 20 milligrams (10 milligrams twice a day). Increases are usually made at weekly intervals.

Overdosage

If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

• Symptoms of Focalin overdose may include:
  Abnormal reflexes, agitation, confusion, convulsions (may be followed by coma), delirium, dryness of mucous membranes, enlarged pupils in the eyes, exaggerated feeling of elation, extremely elevated body temperature, flushing, hallucinations, headache, high blood pressure, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitching, palpitations, sweating, tremors, vomiting