Daytrana is an ADHD patch – a system that delivers methylphenidate, which is the same standard medication accessible in tablet forms such as Ritalin and Concerta. The uniqueness of this system is the way it’s delivered.

It is a relatively new type of medication to manage ADHD. The patch is applied to skin at the hip area and left on for approximately 9 hours while the medicine is gradually absorbed into the body. It is meant to give relief from ADHD symptoms such as lack of concentration and poor organization skills.

Daytrana first came into the market in 2006, offering an alternative to ADHD medications such as pills. Daytrana lets the medicine to be sent directly to the bloodstream without the need to be digested first. Kids who use the Daytrana patch are probably more likely to feel the positive effects of the patch and help them to complete their school work during the day.

The distinct benefit of the product is its ability to let each patient to find out the duration of action of the medication on a daily basis. The patch is meant to be applied for about two hours prior to the medication’s effect is needed, and the effectiveness goes on for up to three hours after the patch is removed.

The delivery of the medication is easy and simple as the patch can be worn throughout the day while performing normal activities like swimming, bathing, or while performing exercises. As the patch is visible externally, parents can make sure that the medication is on when compared to pills and medicine that do not confirm whether the medication has really been taken. One good thing about the patch is that, once applied, it cannot be removed and re-used by others.

The company recommends the patch to be worn for 9 hours, although it can be taken off before that time. It can be helpful especially when the child’s school schedule is short. The patch can also be taken off earlier to minimise the chances for decreasing the appetite or interfering with sleep pattern.

When it comes to cost, all new medications tend to be expensive in the beginning, especially when they are protected by a patent. At the moment, Daytrana is more expensive than the generic types of oral medication, but it may be less expensive than oral ADHD medications that are still covered by a patent.

How does Daytrana work?

Daytrana releases a small doses of medication on an hourly basis so that kids with ADHD have a constant amount during the school day. It is recommended to be applied 2 hours before the medication is required to begin working.

Daytrana is an adhesive patch that securely sticks to the hip of the ADHD child throughout daily actions. As long as it is applied properly, Daytrana is a convenient medication for controlling ADHD symptoms.

Benefits

Parents who are having problems administering medication to their kids with ADHD, now have a better option, especially when kids refuse to swallow pills or who want to avert the stigma of taking medication at school. The Daytrana patch saves parents the fuss of crushing a tablet, mixing it with food or water, and hope their child will swallow the ADHD medicine.

In the case of pills, the medication is swallowed and released in the digestive system, later to be absorbed into the bloodstream. In the case of the patch, the method is different as the medication goes straight through the skin, and is absorbed into the bloodstream avoiding the digestive system. One good thing about the patch is that the same amount of medication is present right across the patch, although in different doses to be worn for shorter or longer periods of time.

Many children with ADHD are using the Daytrana patch to treat their symptoms during the day and help with attention and focus in school.

How to use and dispose the patch

Before applying the patch, make sure the area of the hip that you apply is clean and dry. Do not put it at the waistline as the patch may be moved away by clothes rubbing against it. While applying the patch, securely press it with your hand for about thirty seconds, making sure the edges are completely stuck. The full surface of the patch must be exposed to the skin for the correct amount of medication to be absorbed.

When correctly applied, the patch will stay on and keep producing medicine. However, exposure to water from bathing or swimming could affect its adhesive properties. If the patch falls off, throw it away and apply a new patch to a different region of the same hip, ensuring the total daily length of time does not go beyond 9 hours. Don’t use tape, bandages, or other home adhesives to re-apply the patch.

Disposing of the patch properly is as important as applying it. To protect kids from coming into contact with the medicine, always remember to fold it in half so that it sticks to itself, and then throw it away safely.

Side effects

Side effects of the Daytrana patch include sleep difficulties, loss of appetite, stomach pains, and headaches. As the patch sticks to the skin, it can also cause a rash or irritation. However, this can dealt with by applying the patch to a different area of the hip every day. Do not apply the patch to irritated or damaged skin as it could increase the amount of medication that gets into your child’s bloodstream.

The side effects of the methylphenidate medication are similar to the oral forms, where a child may get irritated, angry, especially if the dose is too high.

The disadvantages of the system include the need for meticulous application of the patch every day, at a different area on the body, normally the hip region below the waistline, and redness can be expected at the area for up to 2 days after patch removal.

Heat must never be applied to the patch like heating pads, electric blankets, and heated water beds, because this could change the rate of delivery of the medication into the system.

There is a possibility of developing an allergic reaction to the adhesive, or potentially to the medication itself.

The most common reactions related with Daytrana (about 5% and double the rate of placebo-treated patients) in clinical trials among children included decreased appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and decreased weight. Among a adolescents, there has been decreased appetite, insomnia, decreased weight, dizziness, abdominal pain and anorexia.

And also, most of subjects in these studies had a degree of skin erythema where the patch was applied. Leaving the patch on for more than the stipulated 9 hours resulted in a rise of adverse events.

Conclusion

As with all ADHD medications, the use of the Daytrana patch will have to be cautiously monitored by a doctor. It is advisable to discuss this new system with your child’s doctor and then decide whether it’s the right thing for you and your child.

Ritalin, or methylphenidate, is the most popular medication used to treat attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity (ADD & ADHD).  It works by activating pathways in the brain associated with attention, focus and motivation and is extremely effective for treating ADD/ADHD.

But as a Schedule II medication, Ritalin is a potent stimulant with potentially serious side effects.

How well does Ritalin work?

Ritalin is a stimulant and the stimulants in general work to significantly treat ADHD symptoms in roughly 70-80% of those who take them.  That number, however, is in combination with therapy – without therapy, the response rate is only about 50%.

But why is there such a big difference in efficacy between medication alone and medication with therapy?

The reason is likely because Ritalin makes it possible for you to behave in a less “ADHD fashion” but that you still have to learn to do so.  You may take Ritalin, for instance, and still forget to pack an important item before a meeting because you weren’t organized.

How does Ritalin work?

Let’s first explain the biochemical action then explain what it actually means.

Biochemically, Ritalin has a few effects.  Mainly, it works on the dopamine transporter in the brain, inhibiting it.  This prevents it from removing dopamine from the space outside cells.  Since dopamine remains longer outside cells, it has more time to activate receptors.  This treats ADHD symptoms because dopamine is associated with focus and motivation.

But what does that mean?

When your brain experiences a stimulus, it has to decide whether or not it is important.  If it is important, you pay attention to it.  In ADD/ADHD, an increasing amount of research shows that this attention pathway is dysregulated.

Paying attention to something boring for someone with ADHD is a lot like trying to lift a weight after someone injected a tranquilizer into your arm.  It takes something being very, very important or interesting to achieve the same “this is important” decision that someone’s brain without ADD easily makes.

Ritalin helps your brain process signals and decide which ones are important.  And beyond helping your brain do that, it helps you keep focused on whatever it is for longer than you could otherwise.

Is instant release or extended release better?

A lot of research is starting to indicate that extended release forms of stimulants for ADHD are a lot better than instant release.  It makes a lot of sense!  Would you rather take 2-3 pills a day or just one? 

Beyond the once-daily dosing, extended release formulations provide smooth drug release.  Taking instant release forms of Ritalin is a lot more intense, with drug levels spiking up then shooting down – several times in one day.

Supporting this claim are studies which show that more people experience ADD/ADHD symptom remission on extended release Ritalin (Concerta) than instant release.  In one study, 44% of those on Concerta had complete symptom remission versus only 16% of those on instant release.

Because of these advantages, clinicians tend to prefer extended release forms over instant release.

What are the side effects of Ritalin?

The most common side effects of Ritalin include dry mouth, decreased appetite, moodiness, mood changes including increased sadness or anxiety, decrease in appetite and weight.  This list is not complete; see manufacturer’s insert for more.

In one study, about 10% of adults taking Ritalin and 5% of adolescents stopped taking Ritalin due to side effects.

Does Ritalin work if you take it daily for a long time?

There is limited research into whether or not tolerance into stimulants like Ritalin develops.  That said, most researchers and clinicians believe that tolerance is quite rare – but possible.  In most cases, once you find a dose that works for you, you can take it daily for years without tolerance developing.

ADHD and ADD Online Diagnostic Test

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Overcoming ADHD: A Guide for Parents

Adderall vs Ritalin:

By the time you’re done reading this article, you will know how Adderall and Ritalin compare.  Is one better than the other?

If you want to know what Ritalin actually is and how it works, see here.

And are you confused by all your medication options?  (Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin, Vyvanse, Intuniv, Metadate, Pemoline – and that’s just getting started!)  Figure things out – a Full List of ADHD Medications tells you what you need to know.

The Chemical difference

Ritalin goes to brain cells and stops them from taking up dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals associated with focus, motivation and pleasure.  That increases the amount of them in the general space between cells.

Adderall does the exact same thing.  It also, however, goes inside cells and makes them pump out dopamine.  It not only blocks the reuptake of the substance but also acts to increase its levels directly.

It is this mechanism that may explain its slightly higher strength in some ways.

More about Ritalin

Ritalin is the most commonly prescribed stimulant for ADHD, far outselling Adderall, but this doesn’t mean it’s better.  It’s just been out a lot longer.  Ritalin and ADHD are pretty much synonyms, and that association makes a big difference in doctors’ prescribing habits.

Chemically, Ritalin is derived from an amphetamine and has very similar biochemical behavior.

It is a very effective treatment for ADHD.  Roughly 55% of those who use Ritalin experience benefit. Combined with therapy, however, that number goes up to 70% or even 80%.

The reason for this difference is likely that Ritalin, at the right dose, enables you to perform in a less “ADHD” style, but you still have to learn how to do so.

You can get Ritalin in an instant release (IR) and extended release (XR) form.  On the one hand, extended release means more consistency and more convenience.  On the other hand, instant release might provide more of a “punch” so to speak.

Clinicians we’ve spoken to tend to highly prefer the extended release form as it is less variable and makes life a lot easier than instant release.

More on Adderall

Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts, and it works about as well as Ritalin. It too is available in IR and XR form. It’s become increasingly popular since its introduction in the 90s. And it might just be a little stronger than Ritalin.

Some studies show that kids need to take 2 instant release pills of Ritalin to cover a day at school, while 1 IR of Adderall works similarly well. It is possible that an instant release of Adderall works for 5-6 hours, although officially, it is supposed to work 3-4 hours.  Molecule for molecule Adderall is more potent. But that might just mean you take less of it than Ritalin.

Some other studies show that Adderall produces a slight advantage over Ritalin in treating certain symptoms. One study showed that Adderall had significant advantage in keeping people on task and helping stay focused.  But please take that study in context.  It wasn’t a rigorous clinical trial, and only examined 37 patients.

Larger, more scientific studies have also shown a slight advantage of Adderall over Ritalin.  The difference is so small that in any one given study it might not mean anything. What makes it significant is that the slight advantage of Adderall seems to occur in multiple studies.

More interesting is that people who start Adderall might be more likely to keep on using it than Ritalin.

And in a summer school study at SUNY Buffalo, Adderall was viewed to be slightly more effective. Staff clinicians especially liked it, favoring it 3 to 1 over Ritalin, but of course they weren’t the ones taking it.

Efficacy:

Dr. Tuckman, a clinician who has treated hundreds, if not thousands, of adults with ADHD has this to say: Roughly 1/3 of people with ADHD respond best to a Ritalin type medication, 1/3 to an amphetamine type such as Adderall and Vyvanse, and 1/3 respond equally well to both.

So Adderall and Ritalin are about as effective for treating ADHD, and some people respond better to one or the other.

Side Effects:

Adderall may be slightly stronger than Ritalin. It may also have slightly different side effects. One clinician’s study showed that Adderall was less likely to cause anxiety and agitation, while being more likely to cause insomnia.

Adult ADHD:

ADHD can be a lot different in adults than in children.  If you are concerned that you have ADHD and are over 18, see an ADHD Test Made for Adults.

Learn what the 4 Secrets To Success with ADHD are – it could really help you understand what’s going on in your life.

Related Articles:

1. Long Term Effects of Adderall
2. Adderall vs Vyvanse
3. What’s the Story with Intuniv?
4. Is There a Physical Test for ADHD?

ADHD and ADD Online Diagnostic Test

ADHD/ADD Natural Remedy Report

Overcoming ADHD: A Guide for Parents