ADHD Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Daytrana and Depression
During clinical studies of Daytrana, depression was not documented as a side effect of the medication. However, depression was reported as a side effect of other forms of methylphenidate. If you are using Daytrana and depression symptoms develop, talk to your healthcare provider right away. Interestingly, stimulants like Daytrana may be used to treat depression; however, Daytrana has not been approved by the FDA for treating depression.
There are several possible side effects that may occur with Daytrana™ (methylphenidate patch). Depression was not documented as a side effect of Daytrana in clinical studies of the medication; however, in clinical studies of other forms of methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Daytrana), depression was reported as a side effect of such drugs. Interestingly, medications like Daytrana are also sometimes used to help treat depression.
Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which people are given a particular medicine and compared to a group of people not given the medicine. In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In short-term studies of Daytrana, depression was not reported as a side effect of the medication; however, for other forms of methylphenidate (which have been studied in larger groups of people), depression was a reported side effect (although the specific frequency was not reported). Based on these data, it is difficult to say how common it is for people taking Daytrana to experience depression.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD