Daytrana: The ‘Ritalin Patch’
BySometimes children who require medication for ADHD are not able to swallow the pills. There are a few medicines available which can be sprinkled – such as Adderall XR, and Dexedrine Spansules. (This means that the capsule can be openned and the contents sprinkled into a spoonful of apple sauce or something like it – check with your pharmacist).
However, there was a big leap forward for kids who can’t swallow pills when the first transdermal (skin) medication patch was developed. It is called Daytrana, and has been available in the US since earlier this year. It is a patch which has the medication methylphenidate in it – which is the same medication as ritalin, concerta and metadate. I have called the patch the ‘ritalin patch’, because I imagine that most people call it that. I have to imagine because this medicine is not yet available in Canada (where I live and work), so I have no direct experience with it – yet.
When Daytrana was announced, I was so excited that I wrote a news release sharing the importance of this delivery system of medication. You can read that news release here: Daytrana.
I am writing this post today, because I got an exciting piece of news yesterday – Daytrana may be coming to Canada very soon. Now, this is not such a reliable piece of information that I can share a date – but I am hopeful that it will be before 2007. If I get more specific information, I will be sure to update you on this blog. If you would like to keep up to date with the contents of this blog, just enter your name and email address on the right of this screen, and you will receive email updates – or you could use an RSS reader.
I know that there are many readers of this blog who are not in Canada, so this post will serve to share some information with you about Daytrana. For those of you in Canada – this post will serve to update you on something new coming down the pipe – hopefully very soon!
In whom it is possible to order the concerta medication? Who can help?
I am living in Canada and I was wondering if there might ever be a patch for straterra. If so would it be coming out anytime soon and would the cost of buying the patches change from the price of the capsules.
Hi Lori,
Thanks for the comment.
I have to say that when a medicine (or new preparation) is coming, we usually know about it for at least 1 year.
Medicines also get to the US before they get to Canada.
I have not heard anything at all about a Strattera Patch.
If I do, you can be sure I will post about it on this blog
Kenny Handelman
I live in the US. I ran into trouble using the Daytrana patches. Although very convenient not very good for me. I started twitching at night right after I started using Daytrana. Not so much for the first week but last night I pretty much kept my husband up all night with full body twitches. Today I’m exhausted and I’m totally sore. I called my doctor this morning and said I wouldn’t be using the patch anymore. I’ll be going back to Adderall XR. I hope it works better for others.
Would like to be kept updated on Daytrana coming to Canada.
I’ve looked on the Health Canada website and can find nothing.
My son is 7 and refuses to take the concerta we have. I cannot go through this every morning. He hasn’t been able to take any yet. Tried everything!! Trust me, I’ve searched ways to do this and have many suggestions but for my son…it won’t work.
Can you email me when it’s availalbe in Canada or when I can look forward to telling my Doctor I want it?
Thanks!
Debby
Hi Debby,
Regarding when Daytrana will come to Canada – the best information I have right now – March 07 – is that we likely won’t have it in 2007, and we may not even have it in 2008.
It is hard to know for sure when a medicine is going to come. I will certainly post to this blog when Daytrana is about to arrive (and any other updates that I have).
If swallowing the pills is a concern – you could consider a different methylphenidate product that doesn’t require swallowing – such as Biphentin.
Visit: http://addadhdblog.com/biphentin-the-newest-addadhd-medication-in-canada/
I hope this helps!
Dr. Kenny Handelman
Any word on when Focalin will become available in Canada?
Shelley –
I am sorry, but I don’t know when focalin will come to Canada – if it even will.
If I hear anything – you know where I’ll post it – right here – and in my newsletter (so sign up in the box on the top of you haven’t already!)
Dr. Kenny
I am having a very hard time with my twin boys taking the Dexadrine tablets. Everyday is a new battle with the gagging& spitting the pill out. It is to the point where the EA at school does not like to give them the medication. I would love to have some suggestions and also be informed about the adhd patch!
Heather
I forgot to mention that I live in Canada!
Heather
Hi Heather,
A fellow Canadian!
The daytrana patch is not in Canada and it will likely be well into 2008 until we have it (if even that soon…). When I know that it is coming, I will certainly post it on this blog -so sign up for email updates to be sure to find out when.
For kids who can’t swallow pills – in Canada – there are three options:
1) Dexedrine Spansule -this older long acting form of dexedrine can be opened and sprinkled. Lasts about 8 hours.
2) Adderall XR – this newer long acting formulation of amphetamines can be sprinkled and lasts 12 hours.
3) Biphentin -this is a methylphenidate product -can be sprinkled. Lasts 10 hours or so.
I hope this helps!
Dr. Kenny
I have got to get the patch for my son. He’s going to high school next year and needs medication that will last the day. He can’t swallow (he tries but just can’t do it). Sprinkling medication on food makes him queezy…he can’t take it like this. He has resorted to chewing the Ritlin, he says it’s better than taking it with food or sprinkling capsules on food but Ritlin doesn’t give him the same support that slow release meds do and he has to take it at school which really embarasses him.
Is there a department or someone that parents can contact and demand faster action on making Daytrona available in Canada. What about press, can they help bring awareness and put pressure to move this process along.
I’m not a doctor… just a parent, but I find that most of these kids have a common problem…they can’t swallow meds and it sounds to me after reading comments from other parents on various websites that my kid is not the only one that the act of taking meds heightens his anxiety..what a way to start the day!
I have Adult ADHD.I currenty take 20 mg SR of Ritalin.I live in B.C and I am on Disability.I was wonder does anyone know if there is any other covered Stimulents that are equally effective? And my main question is there any covered Patches Ritalin any type of Stimulant Patches at all that is now here.?This would really help if someone has the anwser.
Hi,
Daytrana is not available in Canada yet. Hopefully it will be by 2009.
Regarding what is covered – I am not sure about BC, but in Ontario, there is Dexedrine Spansule – which can be covered with a doctor’s note.
All the best,
Dr. Kenny
Thanks Doctor Handelman.Your the best!
We had a two terrible experiences with Daytrana. The backing would not come off without taking half of the medication with it. We read a bunch of ideas from other parents with the same problem. Unfortunately no amount of monkeying around with it helped. After we’d given up we heard that Daytrana was recalled. When it got reintroduced following the recall, we decided to give it another spin. It had not been improved in the least. Very frustrating. Fortunately my daughter is now old enough to take pills. When they get it to work properly and consistently this could be very helpful.
Just wondering if there is any new information of the Daytrana patch coming to Canada?
We are in Calgary and my son is 3 1/2. He is on the autism spectrum and our doctor has suggested concerta. But he can’t swallow pills and will not touch his food if something is in it.
I was overjoyed to hear of this patch and pray that it will be available very very soon!
Doctor,
Is there any updates regarding the adderal patch coming to Canada? We are in need of a patch, as we are experiencing the same issues that parents have written about above. Does Health Canada not realize what strain they are putting on the system and the parties involved? What is it going to take for them to approve the patch in Canada? Will speaking with my MP help? Your advice and feedback is appreciated. Signed, a parent that has run out of options.
Dean,
I believe the Daytrana (ritalin patch) will come to Canada in 2011 at the earliest. I don’t think that approaching your MP will make a difference – as I don’t think that it’s the government interfering with the process. We likely just have to wait. You may consider a sprinkle capsule to help in the interim.
Dr. Kenny
bonjour
Moi j’ai un enfant qui prend du ritalin et j’aimerais s’avoir si les patchs de ritalin vont il arrivé sur le marché au canada.Est-ce effet est plus vite quand comprimé.
J’attend de vos nouvelle
sophie
Sophie,
The application for the daytrana patch for Canada is on hold – in other words it may not come to Canada.
We will have to wait and see.
Dr. Kenny
I am currently living in the US and my son uses Daytrana and is doing wonderfully. We are considering a move to Ottawa next year so I wanted to make sure he could stay on the same meds. I phoned Shire and was told Daytrana is not available in Canada and they do not plan for it to be available next year. Ugh.
Do you have any idea why Daytrana is being held up? My 5 year old has just been diagnosed with moderate/severe ADHD with severe ODD, so we’re just in the process of evaluating him for medications (among other treatments). He won’t even do fun things I try to get him to do, let alone take medication. A patch would be such a relief.
Hi , We had my daughter on Daytrana and had a good result with it but over the summer our insurance stopped covering it so , She was switched to Ritaln Sr and had terrible results , Violents thoughts , If both medicines are ritalin , why such the dramtic difference ? BTW , She has been taken off of Ritalin sr as of today but has still been having those thoughts this evening.