Daytrana for Adults and Teens

According to clinical studies, most children with ADHD benefit from using Daytrana. For adults and teens, however, the benefits and risks of using the skin patch are not known; the FDA has not approved Daytrana for treating teenagers or adults with ADHD. Healthcare providers may still prescribe Daytrana for adults and teens; this is referred to as an "off-label" use of Daytrana.

 

Daytrana for Adults and Teens: An Overview

Daytrana™ (methylphenidate patch) is a prescription medication licensed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. It is not approved for use in teenagers or adults.
 

Daytrana Use in Teens and Adults With ADHD

Daytrana has not been adequately studied as an ADHD treatment for adults or teens, meaning that there have not been large studies conducted on the benefits and risks of treating adult ADHD with Daytrana. However, a healthcare provider may prescribe Daytrana for adults or teens in certain situations. When used to treat adults or teens, Daytrana is considered "off-label." "Off-label" means that the medication is being used in a way that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 
Although the FDA regulates how a medication can be advertised or promoted by the manufacturer, these regulations do not restrict a doctor's ability to prescribe the medication for different conditions, in different doses, or for different lengths of time. The practice of prescribing medication for periods of time or for conditions not FDA-approved is known as "off-label" use. Your healthcare provider will prescribe a medicine for off-label use when he or she feels that the medicine is appropriate for your situation.
 
Most stimulants (including Daytrana) should be used with caution in people with high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart problems (including heart disease and congestive heart failure). While this is not usually a concern for most children (who generally do not have high blood pressure or heart problems), it is definitely a cause for concern in adults. Be sure your healthcare provider checks you for high blood pressure or heart problems before you start Daytrana.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;