Daytrana - An ADHD Patch.
If your child is taking ADHD medications but has trouble
swallowing pills, there is a new drug on the market - the
Daytrana patch. Methylphenidate, the active ingredient in this
new ADHD patch, flows through the skin and into the bloodstream.
While the delivery system is new, methylphenidate is the oldest
ADHD drug on the market. Methylphenidate is the generic name for
Ritalin and is also the active ingredient in many other ADHD
medications including Concerta, Ritalin LA and Metadate.
Transdermal delivery of medications offers some benefits over
the oral versions. Advantages of the Daytrana patch over oral
ADHD medications include:
-
Fewer gastrointestinal
side effects from the ADHD patch.
-
The ADHD patch is a
viable substitute for children who cannot swallow pills.
-
The ADHD patch can last
as long as 12 hours but can be removed earlier if the child
does not need to be medicated for that length of time.
-
Although methylphenidate
dependency is still a risk with the Daytrana patch, the ADHD
patch eliminates the possibility of snorting Ritalin.
-
The presence of the ADHD
patch may help with medication identification in cases of
emergency.
However, there are also drawbacks or
disadvantages to using the ADHD patch, including:
-
The Daytrana patch avoids
first-pass metabolism by the liver or gastrointestinal
system. This may limit effectiveness or increase toxicities.
-
There can be a lag period
before the drug fully gets into the system. Thus, optimal
benefit may take longer.
-
Patches often cost more
than pills.
-
The Daytrana patch can
move or fall off. The Daytrana patch should not be applied
under tight clothing.
-
Skin rashes and
sensitization can occur while using the Daytrana patch. The
site where the ADHD patch is applied should be alternated
each day.
-
Heat or inflamed skin
under the patch can affect absorption.
Daytrana is available in four different dosage
strengths; 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg. It is advisable to
start with a low dose of Daytrana to determine side effects
before taking a larger dose. The Daytrana patch is placed on the
child’s hip and is designed to remain in place during normal
activities such as exercising, bathing and swimming.
The side effects of the Daytrana patch are the same as the side
effects for Ritalin, Concerta and other methylphenidate ADHD
drugs. Parents need to be clear about the benefits as well as
the potential side effects of methylphenidate before
administering the Daytrana patch to their children.
Daytrana Patch Side Effects Include:
Other Common Methylphenidate (Ritalin,
Concerta, Daytrana patch) side effects include:
-
Irritability
-
Nervousness
-
Stomach aches
-
Headaches
-
Dry mouth
-
Blurry vision
-
Dizziness
-
Drowsiness
-
Growth suppression
Other Methylphenidate side effects, though
less common, can include:
The following, though rare, have also been
reported as Methylphenidate side effects:
-
Abnormal liver function
-
Cerebral arteritis
-
Leukopenia
-
Death
Children should not use the Daytrana patch
if they have significant anxiety, agitation or tension.
Methylphenidate can worsen these conditions. Also, if the child
has glaucoma, is taking an MAOI antidepressant, has tics,
Tourette’s syndrome or has a family history of Tourette’s
syndrome, a child should not use the Daytrana patch.
Shire also warns that parents should tell their doctor before
trying Daytrana if their child has:
-
Heart conditions
-
High blood pressure
-
Abuse problems with
alcohol and drugs, due to the possibility of dependency
-
Depression
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Abnormal thoughts or
behaviors
-
Visual disturbances, such
as blurred vision
-
Seizures
Your doctor should be informed immediately if
chest pains or fainting occurs while using this ADHD patch.
Shire Pharmaceutical submitted a proposal for FDA approval in
2003 for a 12-hour patch. The FDA rejected the 12-hour patch but
approved a shorter spanning 9-hour patch in April 2006 for use
in children between the ages of 6 and 12. It is recommended that
methylphenidate should not be used for that age group since
safety and effectiveness of methylphenidate has not been
established and can cause especially severe reactions in
children under 6 years of age.
Methylphenidate, the active ingredient in the Daytrana patch, is
a powerful stimulant classified as a Schedule II narcotic.
Schedule II is the classification for medical drugs with the
highest abuse potential and addiction profile. Yet,
methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed stimulant drug
for Attention Deficit Disorder.
Methylphenidate has been the focus of much
controversy. Methylphenidate can be helpful in the short term in
reducing ADHD symptoms but does not cure ADHD. Stimulants used
for ADHD symptoms merely postpone dealing with the root cause of
the behavioral and attentional problems.
People using ADHD medications know that these medications are
never the "cure-all" answer. Attention Deficit requires a
multifaceted approach which requires many different tactics and
combination of tactics. What works is highly individual, depending
on individual needs.
Many people with Attention Deficit Disorder and parents of
children with Attention Deficit Disorder find great Attention
Deficit Disorder and ADHD success from
diet supplementation -
especially with amino acids and essential fatty acids - a shift in
parenting tactics, modifying the home and school environment,
biofeedback, neuro-linguistic programming, stress relief measures
and exercise. The greatest successes are found by being bold and
trying a combination of many measures.
Daytrana User Comment: My
daughter was recently prescribed the Daytrana patch, and I
wanted to make you aware of something that is not mentioned in
other stories about this patch. It takes almost ten minutes to
apply it, and is very hard to get it on the body properly. It is
a royal pain to apply! Yes, the manufacturer would have you
believe it's as quick as whipping the backing off a sticker and
slapping it on, but my experience as a mom trying to help a 14
year old daughter use it, is that it is very hard to apply.
First, the packet each one comes in, has to be cut with scissors
- you can not rip it open, so you'd better have scissors handy
every morning. Secondly, the backing is EXTREMELY hard to get
off. I'm not kidding - if you don't have really sharp nails, you
don't have a chance. It is VERY hard to peel off, not even close
to being as easy as a band aid. If you are a guy trying to peel
this off - good luck! And if you aren't extremely careful, the
medication can peel off when you take off the backing of the
patch.
Once you put it on, it does not necessarily go on smoothly - it
ends up with puckers and wrinkles which are very hard to smooth
out. The edges do not stay down easily, so you have to press and
hold it for 30 seconds or more. Some of the adhesive, which
contains the medication, does not always stay on the patch but
may end up on the tabs you peel away, thus giving your child
less than the full dose. If the patch is not perfectly tight and
flat, it easily comes off and the edges catch on underwear and
clothing, making an already ADHD kid more likely to pick it off.
Until they can make this product more user friendly and less
time consuming, we are discontinuing use of it. Our mornings are
hectic enough without having to struggle with this. - Christine
(posted 9/20/06)
Article published September 2006. All
rights reserved.
