Daytrana (patch) update | ADHD Information

tilly so this is better than the oral meds he has taken?When my daughter starts school again it is a consideration although she will be in the research study so may have to wait.Yes, joemom, this is better for him than the oral meds were. The two big pluses are that he doesn't have a period of feeling "yucky" as the meds kick in each day, and that we don't have to do an afternoon dose of short-acting Ritalin and suffer the on-and-off rollercoaster of that. The patch really seems to be gentle *and* long lasting. We're going to the doc next monday to talk about this.  If it's a go, we probably won't be starting until after Aug 1.  Ds and I are going on a mission trip to the gulf coast and won't be back until then.  Thanks for the update, TillyT! Hi all -- I thought I'd post an update on using the patch for DS, age 7. This is day 9 on the 10 mg. patch and we are liking it pretty well. Things I've noticed:

No skin irritation, which is listed as a pretty likely side effect. Happily, DS has had no problem with redness or irritation where the patch is applied. We switch sides every day, and the chart included with the patches is very helpful in remembering which side to do!

Still doesn't "kick in" fast -- at least 2 hours for a real effect to set in behaviorally. I find myself wondering if I can apply it while he's still asleep! Or get him drinking coffee with me in the a.m.

The plus on the slow buildup is that he doesn't have any energy/mood "downswing" like he did with the onset of the oral medication.

We take it off roughly 9 hours after applying it, but in the real world, it has ranged from 8 to 10 hours. He may be having slightly more trouble falling asleep at night, but that has always been a struggle for him, and with the daylight lasting so long right now, I'm not sure if the patch is contributing to that or not.

Supposedly the effect diminishes over 3 hours after the patch is removed, but I think it is faster than that. Haven't had any "crashes" though -- a slight rebound after about an hour, with the hyperactive symptoms surfacing, but he's not angry or irritable so it is manageable.

All in all, a good treatment for DS. Good luck to any who try it -- let me know  if I can answer any specific questions.


Hey tilly,

I sincerely appreciate the descriptive update.  I am glad that it is working so well for him. 

Let us know if you come up with anything to help with a faster "kick in" time. 

Thanx again!