How Long Do Focalin and Focalin XR Last In The Body?

Dexmethylphenidate is a stimulant medication that’s prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s available in two forms — an immediate-release (IR) tablet (Focalin) and an extended-release (ER) capsule (Focalin XR). Both forms are FDA-approved for adults and children at least 6 years old.

Two major differences between Focalin and Focalin XR are the amount of time they stay in your system and how long their effects last. These differences determine how often you need to take them.

Keep reading to learn more about how long Focalin and Focalin XR last in your body, as well as the differences between the two forms that may make one preferable over the other.

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How long does Focalin last in your system?

How long Focalin or Focalin XR last in your system can vary. To understand why this is, it helps to understand what a medication’s half-life is. 

A medication’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for your body to clear half of the medication from your bloodstream. Generally, it takes about four to five half-lives for a medication to be mostly cleared from your body.

So, how long Focalin or Focalin XR last in your system depends on their half-lives. When taken by adults, Focalin’s half-life is about 2 hours. Focalin XR's half-life is about 3 hours for adults. This means that a Focalin dose lasts in your system for about 8 to 10 hours. Focalin XR can last for 12 to 15 hours.

Keep in mind that children may metabolize Focalin and Focalin XR faster, so these medications may last for a shorter amount of time in kids.

How long do Focalin and Focalin XR’s effects last?

How long Focalin lasts in the body isn’t the same as how long its effects last. Simply having Focalin or Focalin XR in your bloodstream doesn’t always mean they’re having the desired effect. For a medication to treat ADHD symptoms, it has to be at a high enough concentration in the blood. In general, the effects of Focalin tablets wear off about 4 hours after taking a dose. Focalin XR’s effects last for longer, about 12 hours after taking a dose. 

The reason Focalin XR lasts longer is because of how it’s made. Each Focalin XR capsule is filled with 50% IR beads and 50% delayed-release beads. When you take a Focalin XR dose, the IR beads start working within an hour, which is the same as regular Focalin. But several hours later, the delayed-release beads in Focalin XR start working. This gives Focalin XR a longer effect than Focalin.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Understanding stimulant medications: Focalin is a stimulant medication. Learn more about how stimulants affect your body and brain and what conditions they’re prescribed to treat.

• Which type of ADHD do I have? There are three types of ADHD. Understanding which type you or your child have may help you manage symptoms.

• Nonstimulant options for ADHD: Stimulant medications, such as Focalin and Focalin XR, are first-choice options for treating ADHD. But these nonstimulant medications are better options in some cases.

Since Focalin doesn’t last as long as Focalin XR, it’s typically taken twice a day. But unlike most twice-daily medications, you’ll separate Focalin doses by about 4 hours. This helps prevent insomnia (trouble sleeping), which can happen if you take Focalin too close to bedtime. Focalin XR is typically taken once every morning.

Are there factors that can affect how long Focalin stays in your system?

The two major factors that can affect how long Focalin and Focalin XR last in the body are what form you use and your age. As discussed, Focalin XR lasts longer in the body than Focalin. And children may clear Focalin or Focalin XR more quickly, which means the effects may not last as long.

Are there situations where you may need to stop taking Focalin or Focalin XR?

There are some situations where you may need a lower Focalin or Focalin XR dosage, or where taking these medications is unsafe for you. We’ll cover a few of these examples below.

Drug interactions

Focalin can interact with some medications. For example, if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), you shouldn’t take Focalin or Focalin XR. Taking an MAOI with Focalin can lead to hypertensive crisis, a life-threatening condition in which your blood pressure rises to dangerously high levels.

If you stop taking your MAOI, you still need to wait at least 14 days before starting Focalin or Focalin XR. Examples of MAOIs, which are typically prescribed to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease, include Azilect (rasagiline) and Nardil (phenelzine). 

Surgery or medical procedures

Focalin can interact with inhaled anesthesia, which may be used in certain surgeries or medical procedures. One example is nitrous oxide, which is sometimes called “laughing gas.” Using inhaled anesthesia with Focalin in your system increases your risk of increased blood pressure or heart rate during your surgery or procedure. So your surgeon may recommend not taking Focalin on the day of your surgery. If they do, ask them when you can safely resume taking it.

Side effects

Possible Focalin side effects include upset stomach, decreased appetite, and dry mouth. Insomnia, weight loss, and fast heart rate can also occur. While these side effects are often mild, let your prescriber know if you have them. They can suggest ways to schedule your Focalin dose around sleep and mealtimes, which may prevent some of the appetite- and sleep-related risks of Focalin and Focalin XR.

For example, if you have trouble sleeping, they may recommend that you take your Focalin doses as early in the day as possible. This will allow time for your body to completely clear Focalin before bedtime so it doesn’t affect your sleep. And if Focalin is causing appetite loss, your prescriber may recommend eating breakfast before taking Focalin in the morning.

Additionally, your prescriber may recommend decreasing your dose or switching from one form of Focalin to another. Since Focalin lasts a shorter amount of time in the body than Focalin XR, you may be able to more easily time your doses around meals with Focalin to have less of an impact on your appetite.

Pregnancy

It’s not clear if Focalin or Focalin XR are safe in pregnancy. Most studies on this topic have been performed in animals. But one study did show a small increased risk of heart problems in babies born to mothers who took Focalin during pregnancy. 

But untreated ADHD during pregnancy can also cause problems, especially for the mother. Given this, Focalin and Focalin XR may be recommended during pregnancy if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the baby. This is a shared decision between you and your prescriber. In some cases, your prescriber may recommend another ADHD medication or focusing on nonmedication strategies for managing your ADHD.

Breastfeeding

Talk to your prescriber if you take Focalin or Focalin XR and you’re breastfeeding. Levels of Focalin or Focalin XR in breastmilk are considered to be low, so it’s usually not recommended to stop breastfeeding if you’re taking one of these medications. However, you’ll want to monitor your child for insomnia, agitation, poor appetite and insufficient weight gain. 

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Written by:

Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD

Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD, has been a community pharmacist in North Carolina for over 23 years. Before beginning her work as a medical writer, she held positions as a pharmacy manager, staff pharmacist, and immunizer.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA, is a licensed pharmacist specializing in chronic disease and health and wellness. Upon completing his residency, he worked in the managed care field, conducting medication therapy management and adherence counseling sessions with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance patients, before transitioning to a career in medical writing.

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