Daytrana: The ADHD Patch
ByThis particular medication, Daytrana is the only medication authorized to be applied as “patch” for ADD/ADHD treatment. Its chemical name is methylphenidate transdermal system, and it stimulates the central nervous system. It is often called the ‘Daytrana patch’, the ‘ADHD patch’, and it’s even called the ‘Ritalin patch’.
If you have been using the oral form of methylphenidate prior to this and are changing to the skin patch, your doctor may advice you to start out with a low-dose of the patch. Your schedule then may call for a stronger patch with each succeeding prescription. Of course, it goes without saying (or should) that you shouldn’t change the dosage of your Daytrana with the express consent of your doctor.
The dosage most recommended fro children with ADD/ADHD is 20 mg applied once daily in the morning. More than likely your physician will start with this, and increase the dosage in weekly sessions if warranted.
To use the patch effectively, you’ll start by opening the sealed pouch. Then you’ll remove the protective liner. Press the patch onto the skin (most physicians recommend to do this in the hip area) and hold it down with your hand for about 30 seconds to help ensure its adherence.
Make sure that the patch is particularly well sealed around its edges. If you’ve applied this patch properly, you should have no concerns about using it either when bathing or swimming.
Within two hours of applying this medication, it should begin working for you. Daytrana is manufactured to last approximately nine hours — and after this time you should remove it. You should not take this medication for more than nine hours daily by the way, even if you had to replace a partially used one because it fell off.
The effects of this medication can be felt throughout your system for another three hours, after your remove it.
This particular medication actually comes with a chart to help you track when you’ve applied them and removed them.
The 10 mg patch releases about 1.1 mg of the medication per hour. This means that entire patch contains approximately 27.5 mg. Additionally, there’s a 15 mg patch, a 20 mg version as well as a 30 mg patch.
Some people discover that they have problems sleeping at night or even notice a loss of appetite while using this form of ADD/ADHD medication. One method to remedy this is to put it on earlier in the day, or alternatively take it off earlier at the end of the day.
<h2>Daytrana Side Effects</h2>
Some people report that they experience impaired vision while on Daytrana; others say that the drug makes them drowsy. One of the side effects of this patch is variation in sleeping patterns. Some people, for example, complain of insomnia while on it.
Other side effects of Daytrana may include milk skin redness where the patch has been placed. This includes the presence of bumps or itching. Some individuals report nausea or vomiting while on this drug; others report weight loss and a loss of appetite. Still others complain of a stuffy nose and sore throat. Talk to your doctor about any side effects or concerns with this medicine.
What’s your experience with Daytrana been? Is it a good alternative to pills? Please share your comments below.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
HELP! My son is 9 years old we have tried just about everyhting out there for his ADHD and have not been real successful. He has an anxiety disorder and mood disorder NOS as Well as ADHD Combined type. We have been at his for msany years in and out of the hospital and crisis units. He is currently taking 72mg of Concerta in the am, 20mg of ritalin and 0.25mg of risperdal at 3pm anf then at bed time he takes 175mg zoloft as well as another .50 mg of risperdal and we have hit a brick wall. we have don clonidine, adderall, focolin, straterra, ritalin and a couple of others what else is out there for the last three months he has beeen spiraling down hill and his dr. is trying to figure out what is going on any suggestions. He has weekly thereapy, we see the med clinic one to two times a month and may have med changes between visits. I am at a loss nothing seems to be working
After trying all sorts of ADD meds including natural holistic, we weren’t successfuly with my now 12 year old son. We tried most everything starting at age 11. The biggest issue really is that he cannot swallow pills. At one point he could swallow the real low doseage of Strattera, but what we found when he was on that was that he had trouble sleeping, eyes were glassy and expressionless most of the time, and there were lack of appetite issues. Once they upped the doseage, he couldn’t swallow the pills. We then tried Vyvanse, but no luck swallowing. I then found a doctor that had patients using the Daytrana patch and we went that route right before Christmas. He started at 10mg and is now at 15mg. We can see a difference with him on it; however, I think he really needs a higher doseage. The good thing is no glassy eyes, his personality has returned, and no fighting about taking the medication. The only issue with us really is the price since insurance doesn’t pay much because of our high deductible. So I’d love to hear when it’s available in Canada too. It does leave a big red spot on the area for several days and you can definitely see where the patch has been. It doesn’t seem to bother my son though. Big fan of the patch so far!
Tracy,
Glad to hear the patch is working.
I don’t know when it will be coming to Canada – likely in 2011 at the earliest.
Regarding Vyvanse – you can actually open the capsules and pour the medicine into water and it can be swallowed that way. I hope that helps.
Dr. Kenny
My son (9 year old) was on the patch last fall. It worked great. It was Awesome. He read the whole Harry Potter serie!! He did very well in school and we loved the lasting effects of it at the end of the day. The soccer coach came to us telling how well Kevin was doing and he didn’t k even know we had a new medication! It was a life saver!
But, we had to stop. My son had severe skin rashes. He just couldn’t stand it anymore. Of course we switched the area everyday. Even trying to put the patch on the upper thigh. We applied lots of moisturizing cream. But the skin just would not heal fast enough and there wasn’t room where to put the patch anymore. We were bummed and still trying to find an alternative that will work as well. He’s now on Vyvanse (2 days) and maybe, we’ve found it! It’s about time because he’s getting behind in school again.
Big, big, big fan of the patch, unless you have sensitive skin.
I was diagnosed with ADHD in 7th grade and now I am in 11th and ive gone through adderall, concerta, stratera with good results(focusing), but some bad side effects. Also, after 2 years of various pills I became tired of taking pills so my doctor thought the patch would be a good idea. I have now been taking the Daytrana patch for about 2 years. My dosage is usually about 15 mg. Im not really sure how expensive mine costs (because I’m not paying the bills!) However, if I do leave it on more than 7 hours I get irritable. And the reddish square doesn’t bother me much. Definitely recommend!
My son has been recently diagnosed with A.D.D. On April 1st, his first medication ever is the daytrana patch. The doctor started with the lowest dose for 2 wks and nothing, then the next mg for 2 wks and nothing, now he’s been on the 20 mg for 2 wks and still nothing. I am very upset with the patch. I hope we can find something else that does work.