Posted by finelinebob on August 23, 2006, at 22:35:05
In reply to Someone tell me about focalin, posted by rjlockhart on August 23, 2006, at 13:33:05
Focalin is an isomer of Ritalin (methylphenidate). Normally, methylphenidate is a mixture of two isomers -- what are called the d-isomer and the i-isomer. The d-isomer is far more effective in addressing ADD/ADHD issues. Focalin consists of only the d-isomer (dexmethylphenidate).
So, if you've been on Ritalin, you should experience something similar with Focalin.
I'm on 20mg of Focalin XR a day (yeah, XR means the usual timed-release capsule). Plain Focalin comes in caplets. It's a "new" drug, so Novartis (its manufacturer) charges a premium on it which, of course, gets passed on to you. My copay on it is $50 per month.
Is it worth it. IMHO, [bad words] YEAH! I've been on Ritalin and a couple of time-released versions of it and it helps me pretty well, but my mind still wanders a little and I often need to take a second pill during the day to re-focus. With Focalin XR, my attention is rock steady for 12 hours or more. Contrary to the contraindications, I've also found it to help settle my anxiety -- perhaps because my cognitive processes are so much more clear.
It's kinda like this. I was preparing for a real estate license back a few years ago. I'd taken a class and was preparing for the state exam but couldn't focus and was getting super stressed about it. Talked to my PDoc at the time, he put me back on Ritalin. So, back to test studying. Took some Ritalin and 20 minutes into studying I realized I had no need to study because I knew the material cold. Enjoyed the next few days, went into the exam, finished it faster than anyone the exam monitor could remember, got my license. That's the sort of cognitive clarity I'm talking about. Focalin may have twice the concentration of the methylphenidate isomer that is most beneficial, but my impression is that it helps a lot more than that. For me, at least.
Here's a good web page on it ... technical info, PDR drug monograph, but if you're into it, cool. Otherwise, most of the other stuff about Focalin on the web is copied straight out of the patient's info you get when you pick up your prescription:
http://www.drugs.com/pdr/focalin_tablets.html
poster:finelinebob
thread:679352
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/679486.html