Focalin Withdrawal

Stimulants, including Focalin, can cause withdrawal symptoms in people who stop taking them too quickly. However, Focalin withdrawal is more likely to happen when people take higher-than-recommended doses of the medication. People who take Focalin as prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose do not usually have withdrawal symptoms when stopping the drug. Focalin withdrawal symptoms can include extreme fatigue, depression, and unusual behavior.

 

Focalin Withdrawal: An Introduction

Focalin® (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat ADHD. Stimulants, including Focalin, are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who stop taking them too quickly. However, Focalin withdrawal is most likely to happen in people who are taking doses that are much higher than the recommended doses (such as people who have a problem with Focalin abuse).
 
People taking Focalin at the prescribed dose for a legitimate medical purpose do not usually have withdrawal symptoms when stopping Focalin.
 

Focalin Withdrawal Symptoms

Focalin withdrawal symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
  • Depression
  • Unusual behavior.
     
Although Focalin withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, it can be very uncomfortable. It can be so uncomfortable that people will start taking Focalin again in order to relieve the Focalin withdrawal symptoms.
 
Also, if a pregnant woman takes Focalin, her baby may have withdrawal symptoms after it is born. If you are pregnant and taking Focalin, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about Focalin and pregnancy.
 

Limiting Focalin Withdrawal

People who are taking prescribed doses of Focalin for legitimate medical purposes do not usually need to worry about Focalin withdrawal. However, if you have been taking very large Focalin doses, you may want to talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may recommend medications to help with Focalin withdrawal (such as antidepressants) and may be able to help with addiction or dependence problems. If you have been taking very high doses of Focalin, slowly stopping Focalin (decreasing a little each day) can help to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;