Key takeaways:
Mixing Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and alcohol isn’t safe or recommended. It can worsen ADHD symptoms and raise the risk of serious side effects, such as heart problems and alcohol overdose.
Some people face even higher risks when combining the two, including older adults, those with liver issues, and anyone with a history of alcohol use disorder.
No ADHD medications, including either stimulants or nonstimulants, are considered safe to mix with alcohol. Your prescriber can help you weigh the risks, adjust your treatment if needed, and provide support if you’re trying to cut back on drinking.
Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) is a stimulant that’s FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s available as an immediate-release tablet as well as an extended-release capsule (Focalin XR).
Whether you’re new to taking Focalin or just curious about the risks, knowing about possible interactions can help you make smarter choices. This is especially true when it comes to mixing Focalin and alcohol.
Mixing Focalin and alcohol might seem harmless — especially if you're taking your medication as prescribed and just having a drink or two. But this is a risky combination, even in small amounts. Here, we’ll explain why mixing Focalin with alcohol isn’t safe, what can happen if you do, and how to protect your health if you’re prescribed this medication.
Can you take Focalin with alcohol?
No, it’s best to avoid mixing Focalin and alcohol. Combining Focalin and alcohol raises the risk of certain side effects. It can also lead to trouble thinking clearly and even an alcohol overdose. We’ll go into these risks in greater detail in a later section.
Is having one or two drinks OK?
Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer that applies to everyone.
There are individual differences in how our bodies process alcohol. Certain health factors can also affect how well your body breaks down Focalin, as well as your risk for side effects. So while Focalin and alcohol do interact, the severity and risks of this interaction aren’t the same for everyone. And there’s no guarantee that any amount of alcohol is OK to drink.
It’s best to talk with your prescriber about drinking alcohol while you’re taking Focalin. They can help answer whether having an occasional drink is safe or not based on your medical history.
How does alcohol interact with Focalin?
There are several risks of combining alcohol and ADHD. They include:
Making it harder for Focalin to manage ADHD symptoms
Raising the risk of Focalin side effects
Increasing the risk of alcohol overdose
Let’s take a closer look at each of these risks.
Alcohol can make it harder for Focalin to work
Common ADHD symptoms include trouble controlling impulses, focusing, and sitting still. Focalin and other stimulants seem to help manage ADHD by improving communication and coordination among your brain cells.
Alcohol affects the brain in a very different way — it disrupts communication signals in the brain. This can worsen ADHD symptoms and make it harder for Focalin to work effectively.
Focalin side effects: Review common and rare Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) side effects to watch for, and what to do if they occur.
Focalin interactions: Knowing which medications and substances interact with Focalin can help you avoid unwanted side effects or other issues.
How long does Focalin last? Learn more about how long Focalin’s effects last in the body.
Increased risk of Focalin side effects
Some side effects of alcohol and Focalin overlap. Mixing Focalin and alcohol can make these symptoms more likely. Examples include:
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Mood changes
Headache
Drinking alcohol with Focalin can also raise your risk of heart problems, such as chest pain and heart attacks.
Increased risk of alcohol overdose
Mixing alcohol and Focalin can also lead to drowsiness and trouble thinking clearly, which can raise your risk of accidents or unhealthy choices. Focalin can also mask the intoxicating effects of alcohol. This can make it harder to track your intake and raises your risk of alcohol overdose.
Are certain people more at risk when combining alcohol and Focalin?
It isn’t considered safe for anyone to combine Focalin and alcohol. But the risks are higher if you:
Have a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD): A history of AUD raises your risk of having other substance use disorders, including stimulant use disorder. Combining alcohol and a stimulant such as Focalin may increase the risk for developing a stimulant use disorder. It can also worsen AUD. In addition, combining alcohol and Focalin raises your risk of overdose on either substance.
Are an older adult: Adults ages 65 and older metabolize alcohol at a slower pace than younger adults. This means they’re at a higher risk for drowsiness and other alcohol-related side effects. Some research also indicates that older adults may be at a higher risk for heart-related side effects of Focalin when starting treatment. Mixing Focalin and alcohol may worsen these risks and side effects.
Have liver problems: Your liver bears most responsibility for breaking down alcohol and removing it from your system. If you have liver disease, your liver won’t break down alcohol as well, and it will likely remain in your system longer. This gives alcohol more time to interact with Focalin and increases the risk of side effects and the other issues mentioned above.
When can I start drinking after taking Focalin?
It takes about 8 to 10 hours to clear Focalin from your system (12 to 15 hours for Focalin XR). But you should check with your prescriber before you start drinking alcohol after stopping Focalin. Individual factors can affect how long the medication stays in the body.
It’s also important to mention that you shouldn’t stop taking Focalin without first talking with your prescriber. Suddenly stopping Focalin after taking it for a while can cause withdrawal symptoms, including mood swings, insomnia, and fatigue. Your prescriber can help you safely stop taking Focalin and let you know if and when you can consume alcohol.
Are there any ADHD medications that aren’t affected by alcohol?
No, there aren’t any stimulants that are safe to combine with alcohol. All stimulant medications for ADHD interact with alcohol in the same way that Focalin does. This includes Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts), Ritalin (methylphenidate), and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine).
What about alcohol and nonstimulant medications for ADHD? Unfortunately, these medications also interact with alcohol, although the severity varies with each medication:
Strattera (atomoxetine): Like alcohol, Strattera can cause liver damage. Combining the two further raises the risk of liver problems.
Kapvay (clonidine ER): Dizziness and drowsiness are common side effects of clonidine, the active ingredient in Kapvay. Adding alcohol to the mix can worsen these side effects.
Intuniv (guanfacine ER): Mixing Intuniv and alcohol can lead to excessive drowsiness.
Qelbree (viloxazine): Mixing alcohol with Qelbree can raise the risk of sedation. It may also make Qelbree less effective.
As discussed, the exact risk of combining alcohol and ADHD medications can vary depending on your medical history. Your prescriber can discuss your risks to help you find the right ADHD medication for your needs. They can also help you stop drinking safely if you’re having trouble doing so on your own.
The bottom line
Combining Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) and alcohol isn’t recommended. Alcohol can worsen ADHD symptoms and several Focalin side effects. The combination also has serious risks, such as an increased chance of heart-related side effects and alcohol overdose.
No amount of alcohol is considered safe while taking Focalin. But certain people are at an even higher risk for problems when mixing these substances. This includes older adults, people living with liver problems, and those with a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
No stimulant medications are safe to take with alcohol, and even nonstimulant ADHD treatments carry risks when combined with drinking. If you’re taking Focalin or another ADHD medication, talk to your healthcare provider before consuming alcohol. They can help you weigh the risks, adjust your treatment if needed, and provide support if you’re trying to cut back on drinking.
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References
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