A Patch for ADHD
A new medication patch, called Daytrana, contains methylphenidate and seems to work as well as oral forms (e.g., Ritalin and Concerta). Most patients will wear Daytrana for 9 hours per day. It takes about 2 hours of wearing the patch before the effects begin. The effects of the medication last for 3 hours after the patch has been removed. This patch costs about $5/day and comes in several doses (10, 15, 20, and 30mg). The patch-doses do not correlate with oral doses of methylphenidate, therefore patients are started on 10mg/day and the dose is subsequently titrated.
Patches must be disposed of properly because a used patch still contains quite a bit of drug. Skin exposure to methylphenidate can trigger a hypersensitivity reaction which could leave the patient unable to take methylphenidate again either by patch or oral. So any mild skin irritations must be taken seriously if they also itch or cause hives. Given these problems, some experts are recommending that the patch be reserved for those who have trouble taking pills.
(Prescriber’s Letter 2006; 13(6):33.)
Comment. I wonder if this will raise other issues for school health professionals. Are students responsible enough to not peel it off and share it? Does it open other avenues for possible abuse? – H.T.
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