Dexmethylphenidate and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• MBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2021

For ADHD "10mg Focalin once a day. I feel shaky and cold after taking it. Very angry, moody, and depressed often after it stops working. It helps my focus but not the hyperactivity. Decreased appetite, so I try to eat before taking it. Anyone else experiencing these symptoms and found another med that has worked for them?"

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 21, 2025

For ADHD "So my experience with Focalin XR went okay. It had its positives and negatives, let's start with the positives. Of course, it helped my focus a lot, and it made a sense of good feeling after taking the medication. Now, you really gotta watch out for this: when I tell you it was very hard for me to sleep, eat, and after a while after taking the medication, I felt like a zombie and I felt depressed. Now, thank you, I hope my review helped you!"

• Llt...
• February 1, 2014

For ADHD "I have two children currently taking Focalin XR. My 12-year-old daughter has been on it for three years, and my nine-year-old son has been on it for one year. We have seen fantastic results with both of them. We have seen, as many others have said, that the medicine seems to wear off about the time they get home from school. What we do is they have a small snack and take a small afternoon dose of 5 to 10 mg of regular Focalin to help them get to their homework and evening activities. If it is a no homework day or no activity day, we opt to not take this medicine in the evening, and we do not take the evening dose on the weekends. We do take the morning dose every day of the week. We've not had any major side effects. The only thing we have noticed is a slight decrease in my son's appetite, not my daughter's. We have also had to adjust medication as they have grown. But we have had wonderful success with both children on the medication."

• Sta...
• June 9, 2013

For ADHD "My 10-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD 4 years ago. He has been taking Focalin 10mg for 2.5 years, and it has been wonderful for him. He has steady good grades, and his focus improved greatly. He only takes this during school days, not during weekends nor during the summer months. He understands it helps him even at 10 yrs. It is important, at least for our family, to ensure he's part of the treatment plan and feel in control of this as well. Also, my son communicates with us on how it makes him feel, and the only worry I have when he's taking this is his loss of appetite or not eating enough. So we always have a good breakfast before school starts, and he takes the pill on his own (of course, I watch from a distance)."

• Bio...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 26, 2020

For ADHD "To start off, I would not recommend taking this drug Focalin unless absolutely necessary. It definitely helped me pay attention in school, and there was a noticeable difference between days I did take it and days I did not. However, for me at least, the side-effects outweighed the benefits. I'd been on it from the ages of 7-17, and throughout those years, I noticed a complete change in behavior. Muted emotions, loss of appetite, depression, insomnia. I paid more attention in school, sure, but all of those years I'd lost important emotional development time. It's only after being off of this drug for 5 years that I realize just how emotionally stunted it had made me over the years. I'm in college now, and admittedly it would help me get better grades. But I wouldn't take it again if someone paid me to do it."

• Pap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2013

For ADHD "Our Facts: Son was getting into trouble at school every day. He was a terror around the house. His diet was exceptional, eating vegetables, fish, fruit, rice, and no sugary drinks or high fructose corn syrup. Lots of love and discipline at home. Got in trouble all the time at home and school because he's uncontrollable. With Focalin, he immediately improved and is doing great in school. He is actually happier and feeling better now. While his appetite is down while on the medicine (about 7 hours), he eats a huge breakfast and a huge dinner to compensate. Even his tick has gone away. We are very relieved. Only downside is that it only lasts about 7 hours. So when he gets home, he starts amping up again."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2016

For ADHD "I waited a couple of months before I wrote a review because I wanted to make sure it worked. My son, 7 years old, has been on Focalin for 3 months. He is doing wonders with it. It helps him stay grounded to get all his daily tasks done, and his concentration in school has been applauded by teachers and peers. The only issue is loss of appetite, which in turn made him lose 13 pounds in 3 months. With the help of his pediatrician and the staff at the school, we're on top of him now with a high-protein diet and snacks throughout the day."

• Jos...
• April 9, 2015

For ADHD "I'm 17 now. Been taking the medicine for maybe 3-4 years now. Honestly, it's fantastic in what it does. Better concentration, less impulsive, able to actually sit down and work, more control over my mood/emotions and it's worth repeating. Less impulsive. But please know that because of this, I also weigh 129 lbs. I'm 6 feet tall. This completely kills my appetite. I've gone a full 24 days without any real meal and hate it. I hate feeling my stomach in pain and feeling weak because I have nothing to fuel me, but still my mouth stays dry, and eating food becomes so non-instinctive that I have to force myself to go through the motions of chewing and swallowing. When off it, appetite is fine. Great medicine, please be aware of the effects possible."

• ext...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 25, 2015

For ADHD "My son was diagnosed at 4 and has been through almost all the drugs for ADHD, which would typically fail because of side effects, i.e., zombieing out or hypersensitivity, and the simplest things would make him cry. He has been diagnosed by two of the biggest and best-known hospitals for children (2 separate occasions) with the 0.001% extreme ADHD, and let me tell you, Focalin has been a godsend. He is 10 now, on Focalin XR 25 mg, his grades are up, and he receives left and right compliments from teachers who usually had complaints, with no reported behavioral issues yet. The only small downside is appetite suppression. A big healthy meal before the med, small high-cal snacks after school and dinner, and a big healthy dinner, and you're set. While on meds, you can't even tell he has ADHD!"

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2013

For ADHD "Our son has been on Focalin XR for about 3 months. He was on regular Focalin for 2 months prior to the XR, but because the medication would wear off so quickly, it was like he was on an emotional roller coaster. The XR has been better for those reasons. I still struggle with having my son on medication and the fact that his appetite is so little while on the medicine. But I'm happy to report he's doing well in school and cooperating. I don't like that he seems so serious when he's on the medicine because I don't want a little robot. But I can't have my son be so impulsive and unsafe. I also don't like that the medication wears off right around the time he gets home and he tantrums and acts terrible and all I do is correct behavior."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2016

For ADHD "I have an 8-year-old with ADHD, ODD, and anxiety, and a 7-year-old with ADHD. We tried everything before going to meds - healthy diet (no sugar/dyes), exercise, consistent schedule. Both boys have taken Focalin XR for a year (started with low dosages and increased as they grew), and it's been life-changing! The meds have drastically improved their grades, behaviors, and relationships. Both boys take a small dose of Focalin with lunch to get through the afternoon and a small dose of Clonidine in the evening to slow things down for bedtime. Focalin XR has been our saving grace - now, instead of CONSTANT redirection, we can actually go do things and have fun. The only side effects are suppressed appetite, but they are both a healthy weight."

• Her...
• November 11, 2009

For ADHD "My daughter (6 years old) began on Focalin (10 mg) a month ago. We noticed she suffered from no ill side effects; rather, she became more 'in tune' with others' feelings and emotions, slept even more soundly at night, and did not have a loss of appetite. Unfortunately, it did not stay in her system long enough to get her through school and homework, so her doctor adjusted her dose (20 mg). Now she is loving it! For the first time, she is receiving high marks on her behavior at school, is able to communicate better with her friends, and (in her words) 'stay focused and in control'. The beauty of this is that it leaves her system after about 10 hours (she takes it at 7 am), and we are able to practice behavior modification procedures at home with her."

• Gab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 13, 2016

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5. My parents stopped medication a few years later. I was re-evaluated at 25 and given Focalin XR. I have been on it for 8 years and have nothing but great things to say about it. I feel focused and in control when on it. When I'm off it, time drags by, and I can't seem to finish anything. I haven't experienced many side effects. Periodically, I have less of an appetite and occasionally clench my teeth, but other than that, all is well."

• Swi...
• April 5, 2016

For ADHD "I have been off and on Focalin XR 10 mg, debating whether I like it or not. I HATE IT. It increases my attention by a little bit. I like the loss of appetite because I need to cut down on eating, and this does it for me. But it is not worth it. Seven hours of school (9th grade) the whole day was terrible. I was scared about nothing and constantly had fear throughout the whole day, apparently, feelings of crying are very common. I can't talk to anyone either. I get so scared that I'm gonna mess up somehow talking to someone that I stutter and over-explain, and in the end, just make things more confusing. This is just not for me."

• Mac...
• August 19, 2015

For ADHD "My son was diagnosed with ADHD about 6 months ago, he is 7 years old. This medicine works great. He's not zombified. Helps him to really focus and helps with school. The only side effect I noticed is he doesn't have an appetite, and it wears off about 4 PM, and he eats like crazy then. No mood swings. Very satisfied with this medication."

• Bla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 6, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 5, and my experience overall has been amazing. I've been on it for 12 years now. I take 40 mg once in the morning and in the afternoon, and by like 6 PM it wears off (by the way, I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 225 lb thanks to this medication). The only bad parts or symptoms I'm having are that caffeine has no effect on me anymore (probably built up a tolerance thanks to the Focalin), I don't always sleep too well, and ever since I turned like 14, my appetite went from non-existent to out of control (don't know why...). I'm 17 now and am an A- student, whereas I was an F student before. I definitely recommend this, but I should warn you all it's not for everyone. There are alternatives."

• Mar...
• January 30, 2016

For ADHD "I have taken a number of ADHD medications starting around 6th or 7th grade to help with school. I tried Vyvanse, Concerta, Ritalin, and Focalin. Focalin, by far, has been my favorite. When on Focalin, I could crank out work and was very effective. While many people complain about the lack of hunger you feel, this was almost a plus to me because it gave me one less thing to distract me. The only negative that I experienced was sometimes feeling detached, lonely, or on the verge of tears. They were not severe but did occur. I still loved this brand the most of all of the brands I had tried, but unfortunately, our insurance stopped covering Focalin, and I switched back to Ritalin, which is where I am at now."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

For ADHD "Our 11-year-old son is diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type and has been on this medicine for 14 months now. It made a big difference for him. He is on 15 mg Focalin XR. If he doesn't take it for a day, the teacher can really tell the difference. He can focus now and became a part of the class, contributes to the conversation, and also has an easier time with his social life. He doesn't hate school anymore. We don't see any behavioral issues at home when it wears off. He has appetite loss, so he eats a big breakfast before he takes the medication. He also got used to eating sandwiches at school even if he is not hungry. It became a part of his routine."

• Bob...
• February 19, 2013

For ADHD "I am loving all these comments about this medication, and I thought I was the only one in the world who had these same issues. My 1 lb 13 oz daughter had to have a tracheotomy in for 4 years, got it removed, and immediately began acting out, which led to ODD and ADHD. Went through all the medicines, I am a nurse by the way. I found this, and I am sticking to it. It does have an appetite suppression effect and only lasts 6 hours peak time. After 3 PM after school, it wears off, and let me tell you it's on until I give her clonidine 0.1 mg tab at night (helps to sleep). I don't know where to go from here. Luck and God bless you all."

• 25w...
• May 3, 2008

For ADHD "I had a lot of success with Focalin. I felt like my brain got turned off, which was a good thing! I could sit through my classes and actually get stuff done. I stopped losing things, and I got things done faster and with ease. I lost weight, which was pretty cool. I didn't have too many side effects that I can recall, except for the lack of appetite."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2012

For ADHD "This was the sixth medication that my 6-year-old son tried. Loved Daytrana, but the rashes were terrible, and it took forever to kick in. Hated Focalin. He had no better appetite on it, and most importantly, even though his symptoms were not resolved, he was a zombie on the lowest dosage - hyperfocused, irritable, no sense of humor (and this is the kid that was always called 'a one-man show' in school). On to number seven now...."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 8, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive Type at age 20, in my junior year of college (about 2.5 years ago). I started on Focalin XR 10 mg, and while it took me a while to get used to how to work around the meds (I had to change from doing schoolwork late at night to early in the morning), it has done nothing but help me. The only thing I found was that when I interned and now that I've been working for a year, it doesn't help me (I'm on the phone a lot and it makes me have some issues bouncing around a conversation - too focused on one thing). Cons: absolutely no appetite from about half an hour after taking it, 6/7 hours later, really stiff neck, crazy distracted/hungry/drained when it wears off."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2015

For ADHD "My daughter was 6 when she started it, and her schoolwork has improved dramatically. The only side effect is that she is not hungry, and we have to force her to eat. At 5:30 PM when it wears off, she is hungry and distracted."

• Ric...
• December 1, 2015

For ADHD "I love how it makes you more focused on one thing. But it has too many bad things to it. First, you have loss of hunger for a longer period of time. Then you get this bad stomach feeling like barely fainting or puking. Your muscles start to twitch, and you feel annoying and hostile. I also feel like crying at random points, and it is pretty embarrassing."

• Tex...
• October 6, 2009

For ADHD "My 9-year-old son who has ADHD and ODD has been on Focalin XR for roughly 5 months now after going through 3 other different medicines for his ADHD that produced a lot of side effects. He dropped down to 42 lbs. VERY SCARY, and he would refuse to eat, period. He also takes 1 mg of Risperdal at night. He has a very high tolerance and is given 40 mg of Focalin XR daily. This is the only drug I have found that does not affect his appetite. He eats nonstop when he gets home from school until he goes to bed at night. It has calmed him down, but it seems to wear off after 6 hours. Other than that, this medication is GREAT, and I will continue to give it to my son."