Focalin XR

[dreamn_Disney]

This was prescribed for my son and he will start taking it tomorrow. I am wondering how long it will stay in his system? He will take it in the morning before I drop him off at school and all I can find is an article that said it will last the entire school day. It did not indicate if this was 6 hours, 8 hours or what.

 

[HsvTeacher]

In my experience, I would say that Focalin XR lasts about 8 hours. I've only had a couple of students who were taking it, but it lasted throughout the school day in both cases.

 

[Mommy2three]

My daughter takes this and my son used to take it. And yes it does last about 8 hours. By the time they are home from school I am sure you may notice more of the ADHD symptoms. I know I sure do in the evening!

 

[Mermaid02]

It last my son about 6hours. He takes 20mg of Focalin XR in the morning as soon as he wakes and we give him dose #2 depending on his symptoms... at school they automatically give it to him at 1pm.

 

[jama]

My 15 year old son takes it also..15mg a day. It seems to last all day...in the evening it has worn off...but he is tolerable...
Also, ask your doctor for a coupon enrollment card from the drug company...my son's doctor gave us one and it pays our $60 co-payment every month for a year!

 

[bengalbelle]

My son is almost 9 and takes 10 mg around 7am. By 3-4 in the afternoon we can tell it's wearing off. He is inattentive ADHD but we can tell because he's starving and eats like crazy from early afternoon until he goes to bed (and sometimes gets up for a snack). He also acts a little different, like a mood swing, about that time of day.

We also got the free year, so if you didn't check back with your doctor.

 

[dreamn_Disney]

Thanks for the information. I hope it is going to last all day for my son. His school will only give medication out at 11:45 each day. That will be to late for a first dose and I feel to early if needing a second dose. I was also wondering how many days does he need to take this before I see any change and then each day, when he takes it, how long before it takes effect?

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Thanks for the information. I hope it is going to last all day for my son. His school will only give medication out at 11:45 each day. That will be to late for a first dose and I feel to early if needing a second dose. I was also wondering how many days does he need to take this before I see any change and then each day, when he takes it, how long before it takes effect?

Really? That is not acceptable. What if he needed insulin or albuterol at a time other than that??

What about asking your doctor for two prescriptions? A short acting pill for the morning and then XR at the medicine time? For a while our son had a short acting evening dose to help with evening activities. I suppose it could be reversed.

Our son takes 10 mg about 7 each morning. I hate that he takes it. To me, my real son is the kid NOT on the meds. Anyway, that doesn't answer your question. It has worn off by the time I pick him up at 4:30. The evenings are rough. It is better if he has had something to eat.

Best of luck to you.

 

[LJC1861]

One of my group home kids is on Focalin XR and it is completely out of his system by dinner time, and he generally takes it around 7 a.m. He also needs to take it with food as it works better and food helps with absorption of the medicine.