Anyone use Daytrana (the patch)for ADHD?

[tweedlemom]

Anyone use the patch, Daytrana, for their child's ADHD? I was checking it out and wanted some feedback. Thanks!

 

[freckles and boo]

Both my daughters are on 10 mg. Daytrana. The decision to medicate was tough but it has overall been a very good choice for each of them. My younger daughter is (who is five) autistic and very, very hyperactive. She literally couldn't sit for more than 30 seconds at a time and was constantly in motion. She is now able to focus in school and can benefit from her therapies. My older daughter (who is seven) has inattentive ADHD (ADD). She isn't hyper but is very fidgety and her attention span was very limited. She is acing second grade now and her handwriting went from illegible to nearly perfect. She is happier because she isn't always in trouble.

There are downsides -

Originally we had a heck of a time getting the backing of the patch. We work with a pharmacy to make sure we don't get lot numbers that have problems with the backing.

There is some skin irritation, especially with the dry cold weather.

Our younger daughter's appetite is seriously suppressed while she is medicated so we load her up with calories in the morning and right before she goes to bed. We also don't "patch" her on the weekends. Our older daughter doesn't have any appetite problems.

If their patches aren't removed early enough they have a tough time getting to sleep at night. We actually have our younger daughter's teacher remove hers at 2:30 before they put her on the bus.

Occasionally they get moody when the medication leaves their systems. Not every day, but when they start up after a long weekend or school break they have to readjust.

You need to put the patch on a couple of hours before the medication is fully effective so we "patch" them at 6:30 in the morning.

The upsides -

No icky pills or "remedicating" during the middle of the day.

Can be used for just a few hours (on Saturdays our older daughter has ballet and tap and she takes her patch off immediately after she is done).

It really works, at least for my girls.

 

[LuvsTinker]

We've used it for my son, PDD-NOS and very little attention in school focusing on work. He's 8 now but tried it when he was 6 1/2.

Unfortunately it made him more jittery - about 45 minutes after applying he would start shaking his feet or pacing in circles. He did same thing with Focalin, so I knew immediately the Rx was causing it.

I also didn't care for the backing or the redness on his skin. Hopefully the backing to remove has improved.

I know every child is different, so I can't say what will or will not work for your child -- this was just our experience.

We ended up having success with Strattera (and I know others who said their kids had no success with that Rx)

Good luck to you - it is a very hard decision, but when you find the right med, it makes a world of a difference.

 

[barkley]

my son has been using it for around 10 months and it's been a godsend. we put it on him about an hour before he wakes up in the morning that way it's working when he arrives at school (and he still has the appetite most mornings to eat a good breakfast). we have'nt had any issues with sleep, he takes it off (with our permission) a few hours before bedtime so it's out of his system.

one thing that helps with the redness and the residue left over from the patch is to get 'unisolve' wipes (we get them on-line) they will wipe off the residue, and since they have aloe in them they tend to releive the redness.

initialy ds was on the 10 mg but after one cycle he was increased to the 15 which has worked fine.

 

[tweedlemom]

I really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thanks!

 

[Hasil72]

Every situation is different and we have found that a combination of meds is what works for our DS. DS(8) has ASD, ADHD, SID, along with generalized anxiety and has been on the Daytrana patch for just about a year now but also takes Strattera as each seems to control different areas for him. What a huge difference it has made for him! Our experience is similar to freckles and boo with her daughters.

The initial few boxes were a nightmare with the backing; I ruined almost as many as DS got to wear. They're much better now although sometimes we have to wait for a new shipment at the pharmacy because they are still trading out the old batches.

DS has extremely sensitive skin to begin with and there is a large red rectangle for hours after the patch is removed. I asked our neurologist about this in the beginning because I didn't know if it was an allergic reaction of sorts. Apparently, it's so common that Shire actually paid a group of doctors to study it and they found that cortisone cream or olive butter cream aleviate the irritation. I really like Palmer's Olive butter cream for under $5 at Target/Walmart. It seems to work best for us to soothe the dryness not only on his back where the patch is but arms and legs as well. We all use it.

DS also experiences a decrease in appetite. He's lost about 20 pounds. Don't panic...it's a good thing as he had put on so much weight on other meds. We make sure he eats before we put it on and we make sure to take it off about an hour before dinner. Helps to ensure a good appetite for dinner AND wears off before bed time.

DS has much more impulse control since the patch. His teachers comment on the difference between last year and now. It hasn't solved everything but we've had nothing like the horrors of last year. I like that we control it. I can leave it on for an hour or all day. He likes that he decides where to put it and we let him take it off at the end of the day.

Unlike most people, we do keep it on through the weekend and summer but that's what works best for our DS. The benefits far outweigh the negatives for DS.

Good luck!

 

[robin09]

I want to thank everyone who wrote about the patch. DD9 has aspergers, ocd, adhd, sensory problems and reactions to color dye in food. The Dr. has her on 150 mgs of seroquel (to help her sleep) and 25 mgs of strattera to calm her down.

Jenn absolutely refuses to take the strattera, says she HATES the taste, and that it takes away her imagination. I no longer give her the strattera, the school doesn't complain. When we discussed this problem with her DR. he said he never had such a complaint. .

Maybe I should discuss the patch with him? I could see it being a problem due to her sensory problems, hates the feel of things, and picks at everything. At least this is something to discuss! Thanks to all!

 

[LuvsTinker]

I want to thank everyone who wrote about the patch. DD9 has aspergers, ocd, adhd, sensory problems and reactions to color dye in food. The Dr. has her on 150 mgs of seroquel (to help her sleep) and 25 mgs of strattera to calm her down.

Jenn absolutely refuses to take the strattera, says she HATES the taste, and that it takes away her imagination. I no longer give her the strattera, the school doesn't complain. When we discussed this problem with her DR. he said he never had such a complaint. .

Maybe I should discuss the patch with him? I could see it being a problem due to her sensory problems, hates the feel of things, and picks at everything. At least this is something to discuss! Thanks to all!

Robin, my son has trouble swallowing Strattera and when it broke open in his mouth, he complained terribly about the taste. We started putting it in a small piece of bananna and he can swallow it now like that without any taste or trouble. Just wanted to pass on a hint that has worked for us.

 

[robin09]

Robin, my son has trouble swallowing Strattera and when it broke open in his mouth, he complained terribly about the taste. We started putting it in a small piece of bananna and he can swallow it now like that without any taste or trouble. Just wanted to pass on a hint that has worked for us.

Thanks for the hint.. but can you say PICKY eater.... Jenn disects whatever she eats, food cannot touch other food, you should see us at a buffet. . nothing can touch, people look at us oddly.

I will attempt it though and see what I can do... I just really worry when she tells me it takes her imagination away..anyone have any idea what she is talking about? Her dr. said that was a new one to him. DH says when he took ritalin many many moons ago, it made him feel like a zombie.. . Can that be what she means?

 

[LuvsTinker]

Thanks for the hint.. but can you say PICKY eater.... Jenn disects whatever she eats, food cannot touch other food, you should see us at a buffet. . nothing can touch, people look at us oddly.

I will attempt it though and see what I can do... I just really worry when she tells me it takes her imagination away..anyone have any idea what she is talking about? Her dr. said that was a new one to him. DH says when he took ritalin many many moons ago, it made him feel like a zombie.. . Can that be what she means?

I understand the picky eating, though fortunately my son isn't too bad. Not sure about the imagination. I must say one thing my son does have is an imagination. Maybe she's referring to the feeling inside her

Good Luck

 

[Hasil72]

Robin, I share your pain. DS is VERY picky about texture, color, etc. I have to admit, I don't like my food touching either. It's a source of humor for everone at family gatherings. One year my late FIL even bought me a divided dish.

I asked DS if his "pills" affect his imagination and he said no but everryone is different. Maybe the sleep aid interacts with the Strattera? Anyway, I can't say enough good things about the patch. I was really nervous at first because I had heard so many horror stories about Ritalin and the patch has the same medicine just in a different form as Ritalin and Concerta. Your doctor may be concerned about which works better for your DD, a stimulant (Daytrana) or a non-stimulant (Strattera).

Hope you find what works best for your DD.

 

[robin09]

Robin, I share your pain. DS is VERY picky about texture, color, etc. I have to admit, I don't like my food touching either. It's a source of humor for everone at family gatherings. One year my late FIL even bought me a divided dish.

I asked DS if his "pills" affect his imagination and he said no but everryone is different. Maybe the sleep aid interacts with the Strattera? Anyway, I can't say enough good things about the patch. I was really nervous at first because I had heard so many horror stories about Ritalin and the patch has the same medicine just in a different form as Ritalin and Concerta. Your doctor may be concerned about which works better for your DD, a stimulant (Daytrana) or a non-stimulant (Strattera).

Hope you find what works best for your DD.

OMG, it's like concerta? WOW, that won't work for us at all... We tried Jenn on concerta, and that was nothing but a horrible experience.. but her teacher loved it! It seems it quieted her down in class quite a bit.. but at home... the amount of sleep she was getting was cut way down. She literally couldn't sleep.. Poor kid, her eyes looked like toothpicks were holding them open... this went on for 3 weeks, with her getting more and more violent (I'm guessing from lack of sleep). I called her dr and he asked me to keep it on for a few more weeks, as it takes time for her body to adjust. Uh, no... did you just hear me tell you my sweet daughter is getting violent?

Dr. had us come to his office, unable to understand my words... violent.. Jenn.. no way. Well sweet little jenn tore apart his office within 5 minutes... yup she was taken right off that med. That experience alone made me stay away from meds for about 3 years, scared me straight away!

Jenn still uses those seperated dishes, makes our life much calmer. Thanks for the advice!

 

[tweedlemom]

Both my daughters are on 10 mg. Daytrana. The decision to medicate was tough but it has overall been a very good choice for each of them. My younger daughter is (who is five) autistic and very, very hyperactive. She literally couldn't sit for more than 30 seconds at a time and was constantly in motion. She is now able to focus in school and can benefit from her therapies. My older daughter (who is seven) has inattentive ADHD (ADD). She isn't hyper but is very fidgety and her attention span was very limited. She is acing second grade now and her handwriting went from illegible to nearly perfect. She is happier because she isn't always in trouble.

There are downsides -

Originally we had a heck of a time getting the backing of the patch. We work with a pharmacy to make sure we don't get lot numbers that have problems with the backing.

There is some skin irritation, especially with the dry cold weather.

Our younger daughter's appetite is seriously suppressed while she is medicated so we load her up with calories in the morning and right before she goes to bed. We also don't "patch" her on the weekends. Our older daughter doesn't have any appetite problems.

If their patches aren't removed early enough they have a tough time getting to sleep at night. We actually have our younger daughter's teacher remove hers at 2:30 before they put her on the bus.

Occasionally they get moody when the medication leaves their systems. Not every day, but when they start up after a long weekend or school break they have to readjust.

You need to put the patch on a couple of hours before the medication is fully effective so we "patch" them at 6:30 in the morning.

The upsides -

No icky pills or "remedicating" during the middle of the day.

Can be used for just a few hours (on Saturdays our older daughter has ballet and tap and she takes her patch off immediately after she is done).

It really works, at least for my girls.

How do you know which lots have the bad backing? Would you mind sharing that info, as we will be starting the patch this week and I'd like to have a heads up. Thanks!

 

[freckles and boo]

How do you know which lots have the bad backing? Would you mind sharing that info, as we will be starting the patch this week and I'd like to have a heads up. Thanks!

No problem. Here is the info from the Daytrana website - go there and print these pages and take them to the pharmacy with you.


Shire voluntarily withdraws a limited portion of DAYTRANA™ (methylphenidate transdermal system) patches
Patches that are easier to use are available for patients and their families
Philadelphia, PA – September 4, 2007 – Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced today the voluntary market withdrawal of a limited amount of the ADHD patch DAYTRANA; only DAYTRANA packages with an expiration date of March 31, 2009 or earlier and DAYTRANA packages with lot numbers 2563511, 2563611, and 2570411 are impacted by this voluntary market withdrawal. Shire is taking this proactive step not due to safety and efficacy issues, but due to feedback from patients and caregivers who have experienced difficulty removing the release liner from some DAYTRANA patches.
Shire expects the DAYTRANA patches not subject to the market withdrawal, and which have been manufactured using an enhanced process, to offer patients and caregivers improved ease of use when peeling the release liner off the patches. The current supply levels of DAYTRANA are sufficient to ensure that patients will have their DAYTRANA prescriptions filled at their local pharmacy with the easier to use DAYTRANA patch.
All DAYTRANA patches, including those that are part of the voluntary market withdrawal, can continue to be used unless the release liner cannot be removed, or the patches are damaged while being opened. Patients and their caregivers who have questions regarding DAYTRANA patches should call Shire customer service at 1-800-828-2088, option 1. Pharmacies that have questions regarding this voluntary market withdrawal of DAYTRANA should call 1-888-216-6674.

And

Important Update: Additional lot included in the Daytrana Voluntary Market Withdrawal.

In early September, Shire executed a voluntary market withdrawal of a limited amount of Daytrana. This proactive step was taken, not due to safety and efficacy issues, but due to feedback from patients and caregivers who have experienced difficulty removing the release liner from some Daytrana patches.

One additional lot is subject to the original voluntary market withdrawal. That lot number is 2563712. All Daytrana patches, including those that are part of the voluntary market withdrawal, can continue to be used unless the release liner cannot be removed, or the patches are damaged while being opened.
If you have questions regarding Daytrana patches please call Shire customer service at 1-800-828-2088, option 1.

http://www.daytrana.com/PDFs/DaytranaInfo.pdf
and
http://www.daytrana.com/withdrawInfo.aspx


JUST BE AWARE - this is a voluntary market withdrawal, not a recall. I had a Walgreens pharmacist who refused to work with me in getting patches that actually worked. I was furious with her so I called Shire (they have a locator number for this purpose) and they gave me the name of a local mom and pop pharmacy. The pharmacist works with his wholesaler to get patches that aren't affected. It does take a day or so for our pharmacist to get them because they don't actually stock them on the shelves. Good luck to you!!!

ETA - Our doctor also gave us two cards from Shire that we activated (by calling the number on the back) and used at the pharmacy for the first two prescriptions. It saved us our $25 co-pay.

Also note that because this is a controlled substance there are no refills and the doctor can't just call the script in. He/She will have to write a paper prescription every month and you will have to pick it up and run it to the pharmacy every month. It is kind of a hassle, but so worth it!

 

[tweedlemom]

Thanks so much!!!

 

[freckles and boo]

Thanks so much!!!

You are welcome. I hope you have the same success with it as we have.

 

[tweedlemom]

We're on our 2nd week w/the patch and it has been great! Thanks for everyone's help!