Daytrana (Methylphenidate Transdermal) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Information on ADHD Medications »

What are ADHD medications and how do they work?

ADHD medications are drugs used to treat some of the characteristic behaviors associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including inattention, hyperactivity, and poor impulse control.

Drugs used to treat ADHD target chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. One type of ADHD medication works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Another type of ADHD drug increases the level of another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine.

ADHD drug treatment should begin only after a specific diagnosis of ADHD has been made. A clinical diagnosis requires that symptoms have persisted for at least six months. There is no blood test or radiological scan that can diagnose ADHD.

Most children with ADHD are diagnosed in preschool or early in elementary school. It's estimated that up to 7%-8% of school-age children in the United States have ADHD. In addition, it may be present ...

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Daytrana Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using methylphenidate transdermal (Daytrana)?

Do not use methylphenidate if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) within the past 14 days.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methylphenidate or if you have:

glaucoma;
a personal or family history of tics (muscle twitches) or Tourette's syndrome;
severe anxiety, tension, or agitation (methylphenidate can make these symptoms worse); or
if you have ever had a skin reaction when using any type of adhesive bandage or transdermal skin patch.

Some stimulants have caused sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects.

Before using methylphenidate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

a congenital heart defect;
high blood pressure;
heart failure, heart rhythm disorder, or recent heart attack;
a personal or family history of mental illness, psychotic disorder, bipolar illness, depression, or suicide attempt;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether methylphenidate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Long-term use of methylphenidate can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.

Do not use methylphenidate transdermal on a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I use methylphenidate transdermal (Daytrana)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you have used the pill form of methylphenidate and are switching to the skin patch, you may start with a low-dose patch and follow a schedule for using a stronger patch each week over the first 4 weeks of treatment. Do not change your dose of this medication without your doctor's advice.

To use the patch, open the sealed pouch and remove the protective liner. Press the patch onto the skin and press it down with the palm of your hand for about 30 seconds. Make sure the patch is well sealed around the edges. When properly applied, the patch should stay on while swimming or bathing.

Apply the transdermal patch to an area on the hip that is clean and dry. Avoid skin that is oily, irritated, or damaged. Avoid placing the patch on a skin area that will be rubbed by a waistband or tight clothing. The next morning, apply a new patch to the opposite hip. Do not wear a patch on the same side of the body two days in a row.

The effects of this medicine should be noticeable within 2 hours after applying the skin patch. Remove the patch 9 hours after it was was applied.

If the patch falls off, replace it with a new one. Then remove the new patch after it has been 9 hours since you applied the first patch. Your patch wearing time should be no more than 9 hours per day, even if you apply a new patch to replace one that has fallen off.

After removing a patch, fold it in half so it sticks together and flush it down the toilet or place it in a waste can with a lid. If you stop using this medicine and have any unused patches leftover, throw each patch away using this same method.

Methylphenidate transdermal patches come with a chart to keep track of when the patches are applied and removed. A time chart is also included to help you estimate what time to remove a patch based on what time it is applied.

If you have sleep problems (insomnia) or loss of appetite in the evenings, try removing the skin patch earlier in the day to reduce the 9-hour wearing time. Never cut the skin patch to try and reduce the amount of medicine you receive while wearing it.

Do not expose the skin patch to heat while you are wearing it. This includes heat from a heating pad, hot tub, electric blanket, or a heated water bed. Heat can cause the skin patch to release too much medicine at one time.

Keep the methylphenidate transdermal patch in its sealed pouch until you are ready to use it. Store the pouches at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Throw away any unused patches that are left over if it has been more than 30 days since you opened the original package.

Methylphenidate is a drug of abuse and may be habit-forming. Keep track of how many patches have been used from each new package of this medicine. You should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription. Using this medication improperly can cause death or serious side effects on the heart.

Children using this medication should be warned never to remove the skin patch and place it onto another person. Serious side effects may result.

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