Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 347867

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:44:25

Hi All,

I just switched from Ritalin ~45mg/day for about a year to Focalin (tried Adderall with NO effect). *see various posts by me

I was Rx'd Focalin 5mg QID. But I am finding 10mg TID to be better--maybe even more. Is that an outrageous amount? Any experiences with higher doses of this med?

Thanks,
UNI

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:47:11

In reply to Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:44:25

> Hi All,
>
> I just switched from Ritalin ~45mg/day for about a year to Focalin (tried Adderall with NO effect). *see various posts by me
>
> I was Rx'd Focalin 5mg QID. But I am finding 10mg TID to be better--maybe even more. Is that an outrageous amount? Any experiences with higher doses of this med?
>
> Thanks,
> UNI

Oops, also: I was originally Rx'd stimulants for excessive daytime sleepiness, but they improved my concentration so much that my pdoc tacitly Dx'd me with ADD.

One thing that concerns me is that I hate my job (HUGE gov't bureaucracy--where *anyone* would feel inefficient/frustrated). So I worry that I may be trying to deal with this frustration rather than my own "ADD," if I have it at all! :/

Uni

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose » University

Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 17, 2004, at 15:58:32

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:47:11

I haven't actually gotten around to trying Focalin yet, though I may one day. I have tried many of the other stimulants available (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, DextroStat, Desoxyn, Cylert, Provigil, Didrex, phentermine, phendimetrazine, cocaine). Adderall is the one I currently take and have been taking for six, seven, eight months or so.

While taking Ritalin, I was unable to handle more than 15mg every three hours (which I realize is still a high amount). I know people who take much more, though, or the equivalent thereof in an extended-release formation.

http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OPS_IO/MRTD.htm

That's the FDA's page devoted to their ideas of maximum daily dosage for many drugs. I prefer their list as they tend to be more liberal with the doses than other sources. According to them, the maximum dose of methylphenidate per day is 1.0mg per kilogram of body weight; logically, dexmethylphenidate, being half the molecule, would have an upper limit of 0.5mg/kg. So if you're an average guy who weighs 160 lbs. (~72.6 kilos), the FDA seems to think that 36mg/day is the upper limit... I definitely have a problem with this, though, in that I have a problem with the max dose of methylphenidate being equivalent to the max dose for dextroamphetamine. Dex is about twice as potent a stimulant as Ritalin, so I'd double that dosage they provided to yield a max daily Focalin dose of 1.0mg/kg and a max Ritalin dose of *2.0*mg/kg. I'd say you're well within the limits, provided no cardiac difficulties or other contraindications are present.

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 16:00:39

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose » University, posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 17, 2004, at 15:58:32

> I haven't actually gotten around to trying Focalin yet, though I may one day. I have tried many of the other stimulants available (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, DextroStat, Desoxyn, Cylert, Provigil, Didrex, phentermine, phendimetrazine, cocaine). Adderall is the one I currently take and have been taking for six, seven, eight months or so.
>
> While taking Ritalin, I was unable to handle more than 15mg every three hours (which I realize is still a high amount). I know people who take much more, though, or the equivalent thereof in an extended-release formation.
>
> http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OPS_IO/MRTD.htm
>
> That's the FDA's page devoted to their ideas of maximum daily dosage for many drugs. I prefer their list as they tend to be more liberal with the doses than other sources. According to them, the maximum dose of methylphenidate per day is 1.0mg per kilogram of body weight; logically, dexmethylphenidate, being half the molecule, would have an upper limit of 0.5mg/kg. So if you're an average guy who weighs 160 lbs. (~72.6 kilos), the FDA seems to think that 36mg/day is the upper limit... I definitely have a problem with this, though, in that I have a problem with the max dose of methylphenidate being equivalent to the max dose for dextroamphetamine. Dex is about twice as potent a stimulant as Ritalin, so I'd double that dosage they provided to yield a max daily Focalin dose of 1.0mg/kg and a max Ritalin dose of *2.0*mg/kg. I'd say you're well within the limits, provided no cardiac difficulties or other contraindications are present.

Thank you SO much for that; it was really helpful!

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose » University

Posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 17, 2004, at 16:32:46

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 16:00:39

Anytime. :-)

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by Mors on November 10, 2005, at 13:39:22

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose » University, posted by Ame Sans Vie on May 17, 2004, at 15:58:32

> I haven't actually gotten around to trying Focalin yet, though I may one day. I have tried many of the other stimulants available (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, DextroStat, Desoxyn, Cylert, Provigil, Didrex, phentermine, phendimetrazine, cocaine). Adderall is the one I currently take and have been taking for six, seven, eight months or so.
>
> While taking Ritalin, I was unable to handle more than 15mg every three hours (which I realize is still a high amount). I know people who take much more, though, or the equivalent thereof in an extended-release formation.
>
> http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OPS_IO/MRTD.htm
>
> That's the FDA's page devoted to their ideas of maximum daily dosage for many drugs. I prefer their list as they tend to be more liberal with the doses than other sources. According to them, the maximum dose of methylphenidate per day is 1.0mg per kilogram of body weight; logically, dexmethylphenidate, being half the molecule, would have an upper limit of 0.5mg/kg. So if you're an average guy who weighs 160 lbs. (~72.6 kilos), the FDA seems to think that 36mg/day is the upper limit... I definitely have a problem with this, though, in that I have a problem with the max dose of methylphenidate being equivalent to the max dose for dextroamphetamine. Dex is about twice as potent a stimulant as Ritalin, so I'd double that dosage they provided to yield a max daily Focalin dose of 1.0mg/kg and a max Ritalin dose of *2.0*mg/kg. I'd say you're well within the limits, provided no cardiac difficulties or other contraindications are present.

I'm currently on focalin at 30mg xr. It helps a lot but doesnt last long enough, bout 5-6 hours. Should I up the dosage to 40mg a day? any help would be nice. Thanks

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by Mors on November 10, 2005, at 13:44:45

In reply to Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:44:25

> Hi All,
>
> I just switched from Ritalin ~45mg/day for about a year to Focalin (tried Adderall with NO effect). *see various posts by me
>
> I was Rx'd Focalin 5mg QID. But I am finding 10mg TID to be better--maybe even more. Is that an outrageous amount? Any experiences with higher doses of this med?
>
> Thanks,
> UNI

I'm on 30 mg focalin xr daily. Lasts about 6 hours or so. I feel I may need to go up some myself. I'm wondering if that is too much? I am also on #mg of risperdal for my bipolar.

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by paulbwell on November 11, 2005, at 17:57:32

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by Mors on November 10, 2005, at 13:44:45

> > Hi All,
> >
> > I just switched from Ritalin ~45mg/day for about a year to Focalin (tried Adderall with NO effect). *see various posts by me
> >
> > I was Rx'd Focalin 5mg QID. But I am finding 10mg TID to be better--maybe even more. Is that an outrageous amount? Any experiences with higher doses of this med?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > UNI
>
> I'm on 30 mg focalin xr daily. Lasts about 6 hours or so. I feel I may need to go up some myself. I'm wondering if that is too much? I am also on #mg of risperdal for my bipolar.


Apparently 60mgs Methylphenidate as with Dexedrine-WTF? Dex=2x strength Methylphenidate, is the max daily reccomended dosage.

I would not worry about your dose of Focalin, I was scripted 20mgs Q.I.D Ritalin daily last month, so it varies, on response and weight etc.

Whatever works for you with acceptable SEs, and Doc complience.


Cheers

Cheers

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by University on November 11, 2005, at 20:58:48

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by paulbwell on November 11, 2005, at 17:57:32

i've been on 20mg methylphenidate qid for over three years now. sometimes i take more than 80 in a day if i need to really get things done, but it evens out when i don't take any on a weekend sometimes.

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by paulbwell on November 11, 2005, at 22:03:51

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on November 11, 2005, at 20:58:48

> i've been on 20mg methylphenidate qid for over three years now. sometimes i take more than 80 in a day if i need to really get things done, but it evens out when i don't take any on a weekend sometimes.

Same here, sometimes 20mgs, sometimes 120mgs-all depends!

Cheers

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by Dave001 on November 13, 2005, at 13:24:26

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by University on May 17, 2004, at 14:47:11


> Oops, also: I was originally Rx'd stimulants for excessive daytime sleepiness, but they improved my concentration so much that my pdoc tacitly Dx'd me with ADD.


Your doctor isn't aware that stimulants improve concentration in everyone? It would be rather difficult to establish a differential effect of stimulants in ADD vs "normal", because ADD doesn't have a well-defined pathophysiology or other distinguishing characteristics other than a difficulty concentrating.

 

Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose

Posted by University on November 13, 2005, at 20:16:23

In reply to Re: Focalin Maximum Daily Dose, posted by Dave001 on November 13, 2005, at 13:24:26

I'm sure he realizes that stimulants provide all of the salutory effects they do for ADD people and non-ADD people alike. Nevertheless, he seems to have Dx'd me as ADD by default--based on my increased conentration, etc. This is fine with me, obviously. The main benefit to me is diminished apathy and fatigue...


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