Focalin and Focalin XR Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a prescription stimulant that's FDA approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 and older. It’s also available in an extended-release capsule, called Focalin XR.

If you or your child are prescribed Focalin, understanding your dosage is essential to getting the most from your treatment. Here, we’ll review the recommended Focalin dosages for adults and children. Keep in mind that it’s always best to follow your prescriber’s instructions, even if they differ from what’s described below.

What’s the typical Focalin dosage for adults?

The recommended Focalin dosage for adults starts at 2.5 mg twice a day. From there, your prescriber may increase your dose by 2.5 mg to 5 mg per week based on your response. Doses over 10 mg twice a day (20 mg daily) aren’t recommended. 

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It’s best to take your first dose of Focalin shortly after waking up. Then you’ll take your second dose at least 4 hours later. This is because taking Focalin later in the day can raise your risk of sleep problems.

If you’re currently taking methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), your starting Focalin dosage will be half of your daily methylphenidate dose. For example, if you’re currently taking methylphenidate 10 mg twice a day (20 mg daily), you’d switch to a Focalin dosage of 5 mg twice a day (10 mg daily).

Focalin XR dosage

As mentioned, Focalin XR is an extended-release capsule. So you only need to take it once a day. The recommended Focalin XR dosage for adults starts at 10 mg once daily in the morning. If needed, your prescriber may raise your dose by 10 mg each week. The maximum recommended Focalin XR dosage is 40 mg per day.

If you’re switching from Focalin to Focalin XR, your total daily dose will likely remain the same. For example, if you’re taking Focalin 5 mg twice per day, your Focalin XR dosage would be 10 mg once a day.

If you’re switching from methylphenidate to Focalin XR, your starting Focalin XR dose will likely be half of your total daily methylphenidate dose. For example, if you’re taking methylphenidate 10 mg twice a day (20 mg daily), you’d switch to Focalin XR 10 mg once a day.

What’s the typical Focalin dosage for children?

The recommended Focalin dosage for children age 6 and older is the same as for adults. It starts at 2.5 mg twice a day, and your prescriber may raise the dose up to 10 mg twice daily over time as needed.

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If your child is currently taking methylphenidate, the starting Focalin dosage will be half of the total daily dose of methylphenidate, as described above.

Focalin XR dosage

The starting Focalin XR dosage for children age 6 and older starts at 5 mg once daily in the morning. From there, your child’s prescriber may raise their dose by 5 mg each week as needed. The maximum recommended Focalin XR dosage for children is 30 mg daily.

If your child is currently taking methylphenidate, the starting Focalin XR dosage will likely be half their total daily methylphenidate dose, as described above.

If your child is switching from Focalin to Focalin XR, the total daily dose will likely remain the same, as described above.

Good to know: If your child has trouble swallowing capsules, you can open Focalin XR capsules and sprinkle the contents onto applesauce. Just be sure it’s consumed right away — you shouldn’t store the mixture for future use.

Tips for taking Focalin and Focalin XR

Here are some tips for taking Focalin and Focalin XR correctly:

• Learn about the form you’re prescribed and how often to take it. You’ll take Focalin twice a day, with at least 4 hours between your doses. You’ll only take Focalin XR once daily in the morning.

• Know the best time to take your dose. It’s best to take Focalin and Focalin XR first thing in the morning upon waking. Avoid taking Focalin or Focalin XR too late in the day, as this can cause trouble sleeping. 

• Taking your dose with food can help reduce nausea. You can take Focalin and Focalin XR with or without food. But taking them with food can help reduce nausea, a possible side effect of both medications. 

• Know your options for administering Focalin XR. Focalin XR capsules can be swallowed whole. Or, you can open the capsule and sprinkle its contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. The entire applesauce mixture should be consumed immediately without chewing. Do not store the mixture to take later.

• Store your medication safely. Keep Focalin and Focalin XR stored safely away from pets and children.

What happens if you miss a dose of Focalin?

If you miss a dose of Focalin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual dosing schedule. Don’t take two doses at once to make up for one you missed.

For Focalin XR, if you miss a dose it’s OK to take it as soon as you remember. But keep in mind that the effects of Focalin XR typically last about 12 hours. So if bedtime is less than 12 hours away when you take it, you may have trouble sleeping. In that case, it may be better to skip your dose and continue the next morning as scheduled.

What should you do if you take too much Focalin?

If you take an extra dose of Focalin or Focalin XR by mistake, you’re more likely to experience side effects. This can include insomnia and decreased appetite. You may also feel jittery or more nervous than usual.

Taking too much Focalin or Focalin XR can have more serious effects, such as irregular heartbeat, confusion, and hallucinations. Seizures and heart attacks can also occur. If you think you or a loved one has taken too much Focalin, contact your prescriber or reach out to Poison Control online or at 800-222-1222. But if serious side effects occur, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.

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Written 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.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS

Ferras Bashqoy, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPPS, is a clinical pharmacotherapy specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in New York City. His favorite part of the job is working with preterm newborns because they are strong and mighty despite their size.

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