Patient FAQ
Below you’ll find a list of commonly asked questions about Daytrana.
- Q. What happens if I leave the Daytrana patch on for more than 9 hours?
- A. It’s recommended that the patch be worn for 9 hours; its effects continue for 3 hours more after it’s removed. Should your child wear it beyond 9 hours, he or she may experience increased side effects such as difficulty sleeping or lack of appetite.
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- Q. Why must the Daytrana patch be applied to the hip?
- A. If applied elsewhere, the medication in the patch may be absorbed differently. This has not been adequately tested in clinical studies.
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- Q. What happens if I accidentally put the Daytrana patch on the same hip two days in a row?
- A. Placing the Daytrana patch on the same hip for two days in a row may increase the risk of skin irritation or redness. It is recommended that you alternate the hip on which the patch is worn every day to reduce any potential irritation. You should also put the patch in a different place on the child’s hip each time.
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- Q. What is the active ingredient in Daytrana?
- A. Daytrana’s active ingredient is methylphenidate. Doctors have been using methylphenidate in pills to treat ADHD for over 50 years. What makes Daytrana different is its delivery method (transdermal patch technology) and dosage form. Because of this, some of the benefits and risks of Daytrana are different than those associated with oral forms of methylphenidate.
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- Q. What happens if the Daytrana patch gets wet while my child is wearing it?
- A. When properly applied, the Daytrana patch is designed to stay on and keep delivering medicine. If the patch falls off, discard the old patch and a new patch can be applied to a different area of the same hip. Do not use tape, bandages, or other household adhesives to reapply the patch that no longer adheres. Exposure to water during bathing, swimming, or showering may affect patch adhesion.
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- Q. If I take the Daytrana patch off of my child early one day, can I reuse it on another day?
- A. No. Anytime you take off the Daytrana patch, you should dispose of it properly (see Daytrana Application, Removal, and Disposal Instructions).
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- Q. What happens if I accidentally touch the sticky part, or get some adhesive on my hands?
- A. No significant amount of the medicine is lost. If you touch the sticky part with your fingers, wash your hands immediately after application to avoid absorbing the medication.
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- Q. What if my child is pregnant?
- A. If your child is pregnant or sexually active tell the doctor before using Daytrana. If your child takes methylphenidate, it may be in her breast milk. Be sure to tell the doctor if your child is nursing a baby.
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- Q. What happens if I accidentally cut the patch when removing it from the protective pouch?
- A. If you cut or damage the patch when removing it from the protective pouch, do not use it. Throw away the damaged patch and use a new one.
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- Q. Is skin redness common?
- A. Because Daytrana is a patch that you can apply to your child’s skin, you and your child may notice some mild skin redness (light pink to red) or itching. This is common when using Daytrana and in most cases, skin irritation disappears within 24 hours.
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- Q. How can I reduce skin redness?
- A. To minimize potential skin side effects, use Daytrana as prescribed by your child’s doctor.
- Alternate the hip on which the patch is applied every day.
- Always remove the patch gently from your child’s skin.
- If needed, oil-based products (e.g. petroleum jelly) can be used to loosen patch adhesive residue.
- Follow up baths and showers with immediate application of moisturizers.
- IMPORTANT: Creams and ointments should not be applied immediately prior to patch application.
- Potential adverse events with topical corticosteroid use during treatment with Daytrana is unknown.
If skin irritation worsens, discontinue use and call the doctor.
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Important Safety Information
Daytrana should not be used in patients with allergy to methylphenidate or patch components; marked anxiety, tension and agitation; glaucoma; tics, diagnosis or a family history of Tourette's syndrome; seizures; or during or within 14 days after treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Sudden death has been reported in association with CNS stimulant treatment at usual doses in children and adolescents with structural cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems. Sudden deaths, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported in adults taking stimulant drugs at usual doses in ADHD. Physicians should take a careful patient history, including family history, and physical exam to assess the presence of cardiac disease. Patients who report symptoms of cardiac disease such as exertional chest pain and unexplained syncope should be promptly evaluated. Use with caution in patients whose underlying medical condition might be affected by increases in blood pressure or heart rate.
New psychosis, mania, aggression, growth suppression, and visual disturbances have been associated with the use of stimulants. Use with caution in patients with a history of: psychosis; EEG abnormalities; bipolar disorder; depression. Growth and hematologic monitoring is advised during prolonged treatment. Patients should avoid applying external heat to the Daytrana patch. Erythema has been commonly reported. Contact sensitization may occur.
Daytrana should be given cautiously to patients with a history of drug dependence and alcoholism. Chronic abuse can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence. Frank psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Careful supervision is required during withdrawal from abusive use, since severe depression may occur. Withdrawal following chronic therapeutic use may unmask symptoms of the underlying disorder.
Common adverse events reported by patients who received Daytrana in clinical trials were decreased appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, decreased weight, tics, affect lability, and anorexia, consistent with adverse events commonly associated with the use of methylphenidate.
©2008 Shire US Inc., Wayne, PA 19087-5367, (800) 828-2088. All rights reserved.
Daytrana® is a registered trademark of Shire Pharmaceuticals Ireland Limited.
DAY-00032 08/08
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