Snorting Focalin

Focalin is a prescription medication that is meant to be taken orally. No clinical studies have been done on the risks of snorting Focalin; but it is likely to be more dangerous than taking the drug by mouth. When a person snorts or injects drugs, it allows for direct entry into the bloodstream, making the drugs more potent and more dangerous. Also, because Focalin is not sterile, injecting or snorting it may lead to infections or other problems.

 

Snorting Focalin: An Overview

Focalin® (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat ADHD. It is also a medication that is commonly abused. Focalin is meant to be taken by mouth, and the safety of snorting Focalin has never been studied. Snorting Focalin is likely to be more dangerous than taking it by mouth.
 

Reasons for Snorting Focalin

There are many reasons why Focalin is snorted. It is a stimulant, or an "upper," that people can easily abuse. Another reason Focalin is snorted is for weight loss. Weight loss is a common side effect of Focalin. Because it is a commonly prescribed medication, it is often easy to find.
 

Is Snorting Focalin Safe?

Many people mistakenly think that snorting (or otherwise abusing) Focalin is safe because it is a prescription medication, not a "street drug." Many people who abuse Focalin take very high doses, much higher than would be normally prescribed. Also, even people who snort or inject normal doses of Focalin are putting themselves at higher risk. Snorting or injecting drugs allows for direct entry into the bloodstream, making them more potent (and more dangerous). Also, Focalin is not sterile, and injecting or snorting Focalin may lead to infections or other problems.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;