Focalin Dosing

The recommended starting Focalin dosage for people who have never taken a methylphenidate product is Focalin 2.5 mg twice daily. This Focalin dose may be increased if necessary at weekly intervals. The maximum recommended dose of Focalin is 20 mg per day. Some of the factors that can affect Focalin dosing include your age, other medical conditions you may have, and other ADHD medications you may have tried.

An Overview of Focalin Dosing

The dose of Focalin® (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other ADHD medications you may have tried
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your Focalin dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Focalin Dosage for ADHD

People who are new to methylphenidate products (such as Concerta®, Ritalin®, Methylin®, or Daytrana®) should start with Focalin 2.5 mg twice daily.
 
People who have been on methylphenidate before should start with Focalin at half the total daily dose of methylphenidate taken before, as Focalin is more potent than methylphenidate. The Focalin dose should be divided into two doses per day. For instance, if you were taking methylphenidate 20 mg total per day, your Focalin starting dose would be Focalin 5 mg twice daily.
 
The Focalin dose may be increased at weekly intervals, if necessary. The maximum recommended dose of Focalin is 20 mg total per day (10 mg twice daily).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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