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Focalin vs. Metadate

Are Focalin and Metadate the Same Thing?

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and Metadate CD (methylphenidate hydrochloride) are central nervous system stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Metadate is also used to treat narcolepsy.

Side effects of Focalin and Metadate that are similar include stomach upset or pain, loss of appetite, dry mouth, headache, or sleep problems (insomnia)

Side effects of Focalin that are different from Metadate include restlessness, anxiety, feeling jittery, or sore throat.

Side effects of Metadate that are different from Focalin include weight loss, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, irritability, nervousness, blurred vision or other vision problems, constipation, sweating, skin rash, numbness/tingling/cold feeling in your hands or feet, blue fingers or toes, increased blood pressure, or (rarely) drowsiness.

Both Focalin and Metadate may interact with antidepressants, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, cold or allergy medicines that contain a decongestant, or seizure medicines.

Metadate may also interact with clonidine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, stimulant medications, or diet pills.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Focalin or Metadate.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Focalin?

Common side effects of Focalin include:

  • restlessness,
  • anxiousness,
  • feeling jittery,
  • stomach upset,
  • loss of appetite,
  • dry mouth,
  • sore throat,
  • headache, or
  • sleep problems (insomnia)

What Are Possible Side Effects of Metadate?

Common side effects of Metadate include:

  • headache,
  • stomach pain,
  • loss of appetite,
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia),
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • weight loss,
  • lightheadedness,
  • irritability,
  • nervousness,
  • blurred vision or other vision problems,
  • dry mouth,
  • constipation,
  • sweating,
  • skin rash,
  • hypersensitivity reactions (hives, fever, joint pain, skin peeling, skin redness, easy bruising or bleeding),
  • numbness/tingling/cold in your hands or feet,
  • nervous feeling,
  • heart palpitations,
  • difficulty moving (dyskinesia),
  • blood pressure changes,
  • fast heart rate,
  • chest pain,
  • abdominal pain, or
  • (rarely) drowsiness.

What Is Focalin?

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What Is Metadate?

Metadate ER (methylphenidate hydrochloride) Tablet Extended Release is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy.

What Drugs Interact With Focalin?

Focalin XR may interact with MAO inhibitors, antacids, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, clonidine, seizure medications, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Focalin XR should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Metadate?

Some patients may require 40 to 60 mg/day, and in others 10 to 15 mg daily is adequate. Metadate ER may interact with blood thinners, clonidine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, cold/allergy medicine that contains phenylephrine potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, medications to treat high or low blood pressure, stimulant medications or diet pills, seizure medicine, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Metadate ER should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Focalin Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Focalin XR is 5 mg/day for pediatric patients and 10 mg/day for adult patients. Dosage may be adjusted in 5 mg increments for pediatric patients and in 10 mg increments for adult patients.

How Should Metadate Be Used?

The average dose of Metadate ER is 20 to 30 mg daily, divided into 2 or 3 doses, taken 30 to 45 minutes before meals.

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