The FDA has approved of Noven Pharmaceuticals’s Daytrana ADHD Patch for children 6-12 years old. Noven Pharmaceuticals has licenced it to Shire, makers of Adderall XR
It is expected to be in US pharmacies in mid 2006.
It’s methylphenidate (same ingredient in Ritalin and Concerta )that’s released slowly through the skin and is supposed to be used for 9 hours, though doctors can shorten the time. The effect is supposed to last for 12 hours. However with other extended release ADHD medications, your actual mileage may vary. This may be true for this medication too, time will tell I guess.
They say it will stay on during exercise, swimming and bathing.
Side effects were
consistent with known effects of methylphenidate. Common adverse events seen in clinical trials included: decreased appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, tic, and affect lability (mood swings).
It will be interesting to see how it compares to other extended release ADD medications such as Concerta.
For those of you who want the technical details,
Its DOT Matrix transdermal technology uses a semi-solid suspension of microscopic concentrated drug cells evenly dispersed through an uncompromised silicone adhesive.
This is achieved by loading acrylic with high concentrations of drug and then adding a silicone adhesive which repels the drug/acrylic blend much like oil in water.
Thus, the high diffusion gradient between each drug cell and the skin causes the drug to penetrate the skin with efficiency.