Focalin or Dexmethylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant medically used to treat ADHD. Due to its properties that interact with brain neurotransmitters like dopamine, it can be a highly addictive drug. For this reason, physicians are required to go over any substance abuse or addiction history of the patient before they prescribe Focalin pills.
In high doses, this drug can induce euphoria, increase focus, and give a quick rush of energy to the user known as Focalin high, which has led to widespread Focalin abuse and addiction. This article speaks about the addictive properties of Dexmethylphenidate drugs, their mechanism, statistics related to its abuse, the effects of this drug on the human body, and finally about the treatments for its addiction.
Table of Contents
- What Is Dexmethylphenidate?
- What Does Focalin Look Like?
- What Are The Statistics Of Focalin Medication Abuse And Addiction?
- What Are The Brand, Street, And Focalin Generic Name Variations?
- How Does Focalin Work?
- How Is Dexmethylphenidate Used?
- Is It Safe To Use Dexmethylphenidate During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding?
- Is Focalin Addictive?
- What Are The Effects Of Dexmethylphenidate Abuse And Addiction?
- How To Treat Dexmethylphenidate Addiction?
What Is Dexmethylphenidate?
Dexmethylphenidate is a medication that is commonly used to treat ADHD. It is classified as a CNS – Central Nervous System Stimulant – and was approved for medical use in the US in 2001.
Focalin is not identified as a narcotic in the US. However, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has given a Schedule II status to this drug, which means that it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Does Focalin show up on drug test? Yes. While it may not show up during standard drug screening, it does show up in a urine test specifically tested for it.
Looking at the chemical structure of Dexmethylphenidate including Focalin XR generic, it is methylphenidate derivative that is a synthetic sympathomimetic amine. It has central nervous system stimulation properties and works as a Dopamine uptake inhibitor.
How Focalin Pill Looks Like
Dexmethylphenidate comes as capsules and are different in color according to their strength.
- Focalin XR 5mg – color blue, pill imprint – NVR D5
- Focalin XR 10mg – color brown, pill imprint – NVR D10
- Focalin XR 15mg – color green, pill imprint – NVR D15
- Focalin XR 20mg – color white, pill imprint – NVR D20
- Focalin XR 30mg – color beige/white, pill imprint – NVR D30
- Focalin XR 40mg – color green/white, pill imprint – NVR D40
Focalin Drug Use And Abuse Statistics
According to statistics provided by the ClinCalc DrugStats Database regarding ADHD medication Focalin, over 2 million prescriptions of this medication were issued in the US in the year 2016. The availability of this drug in the US keeps increasing, which is an integral part of the abuse potential of a drug.
It is also a relatively cheap medication, with a wholesale cost of a monthly supply being only around $8 within the US, even less with the use of a Focalin coupon.
It is also reported that over 16% of children who were legitimately diagnosed with ADHD and carry prescribed medication has been asked to sell, give, or trade it for recreational purposes.
Focalin Brand, Generic, And Street Names
Dexmethylphenidate is sold under the brand names Focalin and Focalin XR. Following are several manufacturers of Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride tablet, generic for Focalin.
- Novartis (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg)
- Abhai Inc (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg)
- Cediprof Inc (5mg, 10mg)
- Lannett Co Inc (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg)
- Novel Labs Inc (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg)
The common street name or the more informal term for this drug is “Speed.” It is generally used when referring to many different kinds of central nervous system stimulants similar to Focalin such as Amphetamine drug. It is also called “Uppers” or “Ups” due to the increased alertness and the elevation (“upping”) of blood pressure and the heart rate caused by this drug. Other street names for it include dexies, bennies, and crystal if it is mixed with an Amphetamine drug.
Focalin ADHD Medication Mechanism of Action
Is Focalin a stimulant? Yes. The physiologic effect of Dexmethylphenidate is the stimulation of the Central Nervous system. The exact mechanism of action in this stimulant drug concerning the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is currently unknown. It appears to block the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as Dopamine and Norepinephrine. When it is consumed as a Dexmethylphenidate HCL ER compound, such as presented in commercial Focalin XR drugs, it leads to a definite increase in motor activity and puts to users into a temporary “euphoric” state.
What Is Focalin Used For?
FDA-approved usage
The primary FDA-approved usage of Dexmethylphenidate is to treat ADHD. To prescribe this medication, the symptoms of the patients must cause clinically significant impairment in their social, academic, and occupational functioning. The approved dosage of this drug varies according to the patient. Focalin XR dosage by weight is a commonly considered factor when prescribing this drug. Other factors include the age of the patient, and also whether they are currently on any Methylphenidate medication. Usually, it is administered twice a day as an oral treatment, at least 4 hours apart.
Off-label usage
Dexmethylphenidate is prescribed as an off label or unapproved treatment for narcolepsy – which is a chronic sleep disorder that causes constant drowsiness. Focalin for adults with narcolepsy supposedly provides positive results due to its brain stimulant properties. Adderall is another stimulant prescribed for narcolepsy. When comparing Focalin vs Adderall, the latter appears to be more effective as a narcolepsy treatment.
Following are a few other off-label uses of Dexmethylphenidate:
- Treating autism and psychomotor activity of patients in the 6-18 year age group
- Depression
- Intellectual disabilities
- Behavioral disorders
- Instability
Recreational usage
The high rush of energy or the instant euphoric feeling given by Dexmethylphenidate has led to widespread recreational use of this drug.
Due to the many ways that this drug is being abused and cause addiction, Dexmethylphenidate has become a tightly controlled substance.
It is federally regulated to decrease its addictive potential, and possessing or using it without a valid prescription from a credible healthcare provider can lead to serious legal penalties.
Focalin Medicine Use In Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
It is a Category C medication when it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding. Which means that the substance has shown adverse effects on studies conducted on animal reproduction, yet there are no adequate studies on humans. Pregnant and nursing mothers are advised to use this drug only if its benefits outweigh any potential risks to the baby.
Is Focalin Addictive?
Being a central nervous system stimulant, Focalin XR and other Dexmethylphenidate drugs have a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially for those who do not have ADHD.
Physical addiction
The physical addiction or dependence occurs when someone is used to taking Focalin generic pills daily or regularly, and their body becomes dependent on it. Addiction or dependence means that the cells in their central nervous system cannot function the same way without the Focalin generic or other branded drugs in the similar capacity that they have become accustomed to. Following are some of the most common Focalin side effects caused by a physical addiction to the drug.
- Depression
- High anxiety
- Fatigue
- Increase of blood pressure
- Insomnia
Psychological addiction
As a stimulant drug that affects the brain activity to treat a neurodevelopmental disorder, psychological addiction to Dexmethylphenidate HCL is quite common.
This addiction includes emotional or motivational withdrawal symptoms that one may experience after ceasing the use of the drug. Following are some of the signs and symptoms that show one might be having a psychological addiction to Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride.
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Appetite loss
- Romanticizing the use of the drug
- Cognitive issues
Effects Of Focalin Abuse And Addiction
The effects caused by the regular consumption Dexmethylphenidate differ according to the user, the frequency of consumption, and the dosage.
Physical effects
Prolonged usage of this drug can also lead to adverse cardiovascular effects. Starting from an abnormally increased heart rate can lead to a cardiovascular attack as well. It also leads to causing severe physical Focalin withdrawal symptoms.
Mental effects
The chronic use of a central nervous system stimulant drug leads to both short term and long term changes in the brain of a user. Following are some of the adverse mental effects associated with this drug.
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
- Schizophrenia-like symptoms
- Depression
Social effects
When the user’s brain is used to taking a stimulant to feel an elevated sense of emotions often, it can cause an inability to regulate their regular emotions and experience pleasure without depending on the drug.
Following are a few other adverse social effects that addiction to central nervous stimulants may cause.
- Losing confidence
- Losing the ability to concentrate
- Aggression
- Irritability
Treating And Regulating Focalin Addiction
The recommended treatment to Dexmethylphenidate addiction consists of supportive measures such as protecting the patient against any self-harm or similar behavior. Those who suffer from addiction are advised to go through behavioral therapies in rehabs and to avoid any external stimuli that may aggravate their need to consume the drug. The treatments for addiction also include detoxifying their body and going through an intensive process of therapy, medication, and counseling.
Page Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181133/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489818/
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dexmethylphenidate-hydrochloride
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4162523/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021278s015lbl.pdf
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