Methylphenidate (Absorbed through the skin)

Introduction

Methylphenidate (meth-il-FEN-i-date)

Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This medicine is a stimulant.

Brand Name(s)

Daytrana

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not apply this medicine if you or your child have had an allergic reaction to methylphenidate. You should not use this medicine if you have glaucoma, or if you are anxious, tense, or agitated most of the time. You should not use this medicine if you have muscle tics or a history of Tourette's syndrome, a condition that causes you to have muscle twitches or to make sounds you are not able to control. Do not use this medicine if you have taken a medicine for depression called an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®, in the past 14 days. This medicine should not be given to a child who is less than 6 years of age unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

How to Use This Medicine

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
• The Medication Guide will show the body areas where you or your child can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you or your child wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch. Make sure the skin area is clean (freshly washed), dry, cool, and free of any powder, oil, or lotion before you apply the patch.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
• Apply the patch right away after removing it from the pouch or sealed wrapper.
• Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Put on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied. Remove the new patch 9 hours after the first patch for that day was applied.

If a dose is missed:

• If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you or your child are also using cold or allergy medicines, clonidine (Catapres®) or other medicines to lower blood pressure (such as metoprolol, captopril, Lopressor®, or Capoten®), a blood thinner (such as warfarin or Coumadin®), medicines for seizures (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, Dilantin®, or Mysoline®), or medicines to treat depression (such as imipramine, clomipramine, desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro?, Paxil®, or Zoloft®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you or your child are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you or your child have epilepsy, a history of seizures, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression or mental illness, thyroid problems, skin problems (such as eczema or psoriasis), or drug or alcohol problems.
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
• This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight to make sure that your child is growing properly.
• This medicine may cause skin irritation. Tell your doctor about any skin rash that occurs where this medicine is applied.
• Avoid putting this medicine near external sources of direct heat, such as heating pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, or hot tubs.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Changes in vision.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Convulsions or tremors.
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Mood or mental changes, confusion, or unusual behavior.
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
• Severe redness, swelling, itching, or blistering of the skin where the patch is worn.
• Uncontrollable muscle movements or twitching.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Decreased appetite.
• Feeling restless or nervous.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Warmth or redness in your child's face, neck, arms, or upper chest.
• Weight loss.