too simply answer these questions- focalin is the name brand for dexmethylphenidate, which is similar to the adhd and mild stimulant drug methylphenidate commonly known as ritalin, except for that ritalin has two isomers one thats inactive, and focalin only has the active isomer, overall its an easy way for pharmaceutical companies to make money, it is more potent than ritalin most doctors will tell you too cut your ritalin dose in half when starting focalin, meaning its twice as potent....