Have you dever heard of liver failure as a side effect of the use of Focalin?

07/15/08

jane

Topics:Has anyone had liver failure as a result of being on Focalin

My husband went into total liver failure after beginning Focalin XR 10 mg plus Citalopram 40 mg daily, Ambien CR on May 1st 2008. He was also on Darvocet, Lipitor. He was hospitalized on the 23rd with the following symptoms:

High fever, sweats, tremors, headaches, joint pain, body rash that was not itchy, insomnia, mild confusion. Our internist said it was all due to Focalin and he should never take it again. He has ADD (he is 69 years old and has lived with it treating himself with caffeine thru the years.) Focalin ws a WONDER drug for him. His focus was clear and he could complete tasks and not be frustrated.

His liver function studies are within normal limits as the beginning of July.

Anyone else run into this problem?

Thanks,

Jane

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Answers (1)

Friday, July 25, 2008

Vicki M

Hi Jane,

Hopefully your husband is doing ok after all he has been through. It could be that the Focalin was the final straw in a list of things your husband was taking that caused the liver issues. Focalin, brand name for dexmethyphenidate is prescribed for ADD. You can read about Focalin here. On the precautions and side effects page, there is a warning regarding the symptoms you describe. You can read about them here. Also on the drug interactions page, is specifically states this drug should no be taken with certain medications including anti-depressants. You said your husband was taking Citalopram (Celexa) and that is an anti-depressant.

The best thing to do since you are concerned is see your pharmacist or doctor about this and make sure your husband is being monitored if he is taking various medications including (not limited to) Anti depressants, and the following:

* "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin)
* antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline, SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, venlafaxine)
* medication for high blood pressure (e.g., beta blockers, clonidine, guanethidine)
* medications that increase blood pressure/decongestants (e.g., epinephrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)
* anti-seizure medicine (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone)
* other stimulant medications (e.g., amphetamines)

I hope this information helps somewhat. Please stay in touch and let us know how you and your husband are doing!

Vicki M