Daytrana tips? | ADHD Information

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This week we started our 14 year old son on Daytrana. It
seems to be working well. The biggest problem is peeling
the backing off of the patch. It's really stuck on there!
At this point I still feel like I need to be the one to
apply the patch because I'm not sure that my not-yet-
medicated son will have the patience and persistence to get
the backing off - especially the second half.

Any tips? Or is this problem unique to us?

-JeffMy biggest frustration is that when the backing doesn't
come off easily, and the "goo" gets messed up, the patch
becomes very itchy for my son. The package insert says to
throw away any patches this happens to and use a new patch.
Easy for them to say! Even with insurance, these patches
cost about each!

I'll try the refrigerator tip - especially as we move to
warmer mornings. Other than that, the Daytrana is working
great.

We have been using the patch for about 8 mos.  Here are some things I have learned..

The 10 mg is way worse as far as not peeling, we use the 15 mg, but did use the 10. I did put the 10 in the freezer for about 5 mins. and it helped a bit.  I hold one half and peel about 1/2 to 3/4 down on the other half, then switch sides and partially peel the other half.  Then I take off the one half and it is much easier to peel off the other half when it had already been started.  (hope that makes sense!)

Sometimes it seems like the bottom third of the patch doesn't want to peel. Pull hard, but pull more sideways as opposed to straight down. Think of when you tear off a piece of scotch tape - straight down doesn't work so well.

The itchiness can be a problem.. We quit using the hip and go up and down the back on either side of the spine from just below the shoulder blades to just above the waistband.  That way the skin only wears the patch in that spot about once per week..

Sometimes we skip a day on the weekend (if there is nothing going on - my son is way ADHHd and ODD.  This way he can have a day of eating and I can save a patch for those days when we waste one!

He takes his off about 1-2 in the afternoon.  The effects seem to last several hours past.  If he has sports, he keeps it on.  I had one doctor say that it can last  alot longer than the 9 hours that it promotes.

Hope this helps - have a great day!

Didn't someone once mention putting the patches in the fridge and then the backs peel easier?  My child doesn't use Daytrana, so I don't have personal experience with it.we used to chill the patch before we put it on. it helps with the backing.
also, we found that some batches of Daytrana were easier to peel off than
others. no idea why. try putting it in the fridge for a few minutes before
applying.

we have had pretty good luck with the ADHD. my son is not on the patch during the summer or on weekends-only when he is in school. It seems he gets "used to" the medication and we have to up the dosage from 10mg to 15mg-half way throughout the school year. It looks like we may not have to this year. YAY! However, my son, recently within the last two weeks-has developed a twitch. I am seriously concerned that this will be permanant.

Otherwise-we have had no problems whatsoever with the drug. BTW-each batch of patches is different-I have had some where I couldnt get the backing off and others that were just fine. Good Luck!

Try bending the corner of the patch and rolling it between your fingers. What dosage is your son on? I found that the bigger patches were easier to put on. Also, you didn't ask this, but will eventually need to know it, baby oil will remove the leftover glue residue from your son's skin.