Meds considering switch from gen ritalin to focalin xr

[jensters1205]

I was Officially diagnosed with add at age of 25, unofficially diagnosed by grandmother with PHD. In special education at very young age. Current age is 43.
I have used generic ritalin on and off for years to treat symptoms of add. i have used it consistently for the past 4 years. My insurance recently changed and I believe focalin xr will be available to me at a reasonable cost.

I have done a little Internet research and checked the forums here. I recognize each patient reacts differently and that talking with my doctor and getting his advice and perspective is vital. With that understood I still would like to gather as much info., perspective, experiences as I can before my next Appointment.

From what I read the biggest difference (asside from 1 being immediate release and 1 extended) the ingredients of focalin are able to achieve almost the same positive effectness as methylphenidate (generic ritalin) without or with less of the “speedy feeling”. Also focalin dosing should be about 1/2 of current ritalin dosing.

Is this an accurate assessment? Is switching from one to the other immediately fine or should there be an “adjustment period” where lower doses of each are taken for a week or so then full dosage of focalin is taken regularly?

Focalin is fairly new (2005) compared to ritalin. Are there any recent studies showing more adverse side effects with focalin than ritalin?
Any personal experiences that one should consider before such a switch? Or is it pretty cut and dry?

i guess i could have simply asked …”should i just try it and see?”

Any feedback would be great.

Thank you.
J.S.

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[Patte Rosebank]

@Jensters1205, one thing I can tell you about Focalin XR vs. Ritalin, is that sometimes, the extended-release forms of a med are more effective.

This is because they give a long and steady release of the med, without your having to take additional doses throughout the day; and because you only go through one period of “my dose is wearing off” each day.

You’ll need to discuss all this with your doctor and pharmacist.

And remember, meds are never one-size-fits-all, so if you want to find out if Focalin XR will work better for you, you’ll just have to try it, keep a daily journal about how it’s working, and discuss the results with your doctor.

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The main thing to be aware of with generics is that, under the law, a generic can contain anywhere from 10% less to 10% more of the amount of drug in the branded form, yet still be considered an equivalent.  This is a range of 20%, and it’s huge!

Think about it.  You could be on Brand A generic (which happens to have 90% of the dose of the branded form), and your pharmacy changes to Brand B (which happens to have 110% of the dose of the branded form).

And your pharmacy doesn’t have to tell you they’ve switched brands.

Suddenly, your med that used to work so well is making you very jittery and giving you high blood pressure, because you’re now taking a 20% higher dose, but you were never told of this, so you don’t know about it.

Or, if you were switched from Brand B to Brand A, you’d suddenly be on a 20% lower dose, and be wondering why your med is no longer working.

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Another issue with generics is that some of the filler ingredients can include things like lactose.  You can see how this would suddenly cause serious digestive problems for a lactose-intolerant person.

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The third issue with generics is whether or not the delivery system of the med is identical to the delivery system in the branded version.

Health Canada is currently studying the generic version of Concerta, because branded Concerta has a patented osmotic delivery system, and it’s that special delivery system that defines what Concerta is.

However, the generic “Concerta” does not have this osmotic delivery system, so it doesn’t deliver the drug in the same way as branded Concerta does.  Therefore, how could any rational person consider it equivalent to branded Concerta?

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[MarieAngell]

@Jensters1205, I use Focalin XR although I didn’t switch from anything else. I have never had any “speedy” feeling using the Focalin XR. I have tried supplementation with regular Focalin and know what you’re talking about.

From my experience, I would say that the XR is a much smoother effect. I get a faster response when I take it with a little food.

Your doctor should really be the one to tell you if you can just switch over to the Focalin XR. It may take some experimentation to get you on the right dosage. I use the Focalin XR and then use a very low 2.5 mg generic methylphenidate as needed–gives me a lot of control and no jitters.

 

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[jensters1205]

Thanks for the input. I see the Dr. In a few weeks. If I switch I will update here or in a more aptly titled post. Thanks again.

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[justness]

Is anybody taking a beta blocker with their meds? Is it safe to do that? My meds make my pulse go up to 110 so I stopped taking them until i see my doc 🙁 I don’t know what to do but I know the meds helped me so much.

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[jensters1205]

Not sure I like focalin. I wonder if it’s just lacking the “side effects” is throwing me off. Having been on methylphenidate for so many years it’s a significant shift.

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