Focalin XR and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 minutes after he takes the pill to 6 hours later. He drinks cyproheptadine syrup 2mg to help boost his appetite while on the Focalin."

• hma...
• November 18, 2011

For ADHD "We started our 10-year-old daughter on this medication last year and had terrific results. She doesn't have any behavioral issues at school and never had, but by the time she got home, she was so worn out from trying to focus and be good that she was having emotional breakdowns. We started last year on 5 mg and after 8 months increased to 10 mg. She is saying she doesn't notice a difference between taking it and not recently, so we increased to 15 mg. She has been emotional again some days, but not sure whether that is because she is an 11-year-old girl, medication-related, or not enough medicine. She has had a problem falling asleep since she was born, and last year seemed better after being on medication, but has come back this year. We give her melatonin occasionally."

• hma...
• November 18, 2011

For ADHD "We started our 10-year-old daughter on this medication last year and had terrific results. She doesn't have any behavioral issues at school and never had, but by the time she got home, she was so worn out from trying to focus and be good that she was having emotional breakdowns. We started last year on 5 mg and after 8 months increased to 10 mg. She is saying she doesn't notice a difference between taking it and not recently, so we increased to 15 mg. She has been emotional again some days, but not sure whether that is because she is an 11-year-old girl, medication-related, or not enough medicine. She has had a problem falling asleep since she was born, and last year seemed better after being on medication, but has come back this year. We give her melatonin occasionally."