I've always wondered if Focalin was available in Canada? Or any d-methylphenidate medication? If not, when will it become available?

Well, a quick Google tells me that would be a big NO.

That's dumb... Is it Scheduled or anything?

That's quite unfortunate. What is the next best methylphenidate formulation?

Drugs get approved at different times. Some drugs are available in Canada, but not the U.S.A. etc.. Countries remove / put on restrictions at different times as well.

Concerta is available.

That's quite unfortunate. What is the next best methylphenidate formulation?Have you tried regular Ritalin, yet?

No, just Wellbutrin and Strattera.

Many doctors prefer to prescribe regular release Ritalin before trying the slow/extended release versions of the drug.

If you want ot learn about what is available in CANADA and what are the canadian guidelines, I suggest you visit www.CADDRA.ca (http://www.CADDRA.ca), CADDRA is the Canadian ADD-AD/HD Resource Alliance. You should also visit www.CADDAC.ca (http://www.CADDAC.ca), Center for ADHD/ADD Advocacy, CANADA. In Quebec, you can have info in French with PANDA, Parents aptes à négocier avec le déficit d'attention www.associationpanda.qc.ca (http://www.associationpanda.qc.ca) and AQETA, Association québecoise pour les troubles d'apprentissage www.aqeta.qc.ca (http://www.aqeta.qc.ca).
I wrote a book that explains what is ADHD and what are the treatments available and how they work. It was just published in English by Academie impact www.academieimpact.com (http://www.academieimpact.com). Check for the title: My Brain Still Needs Glasses (I have also wrote a book that explains ADHD to kids: My Brain Needs Glasses). Those books are available also in French.
Hope this will help

Biphentin is another methylphenidate-based medication that is available in Canada (not in the US).

Information on the medication is available here:

http://addadhdblog.com/biphentin-the-newest-addadhd-medication-in-canada/

Focalin is in fact dextromethylphenidate. That is, it contains only the d-isomer of methylphenidate while ritalin, concerta others methylphenidate-based medications contain both l-isomer and d-isomer. The d-isomer is the most active one on the brain while the l-isomer is more responsible for side effects on the nervous system.

A dextromethylphenidate-based medication has been approuved by Health Canada in 2003 under the name Attenade but has never been marketed by the manufacturer, Biovail. I plan to call them to know what's going on with this medication. I would really like to see it available in Canada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexmethylphenidate

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2006/2006_35_e.html

Many doctors prefer to prescribe regular release Ritalin before trying the slow/extended release versions of the drug.This is what my doctor did with me. He said you use the ritalin IR so you can taylor your dosage then once it's worked out they can prescribe the extended release versions.