Daytrana is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. It is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, but it is not known precisely how Daytrana treats ADHD. Daytrana is a patch worn on the skin, and the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream. The patch should be worn for nine hours, and the effects of the medication will continue for three hours after the patch is removed. Generally, the patch should be applied two hours before the patient needs to experience the effects of the drug, such as when school starts.
At The Application Site
Some ADHD patients using Daytrana patches will experience itching, redness or small bumps at the site where the patch is applied. This is no cause for concern. However, if you develop blisters or swelling at the application site or notice purplish or brownish spots on the skin, stop using Daytrana and notify your doctor immediately, as this may signal a potentially serious complication requiring treatment.
Non-Serious
Other side effects of Daytrana include loss of appetite, a mild sore throat, headaches, weight loss, vomiting, a stuffy nose, difficulty sleeping, nervousness and nausea. None of these is cause for concern.
Serious Side Effects
In rare cases, ADHD patients using Daytrana patches may experience serious side effects that may indicate a serious complication that needs treatment. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop using Daytrana and notify your doctor immediately: mental or mood changes including depression, agitation, unusual sadness, irritability and anxiety; confusion; hallucinations; seizures; blurred vision or other vision problems; fever; a fast or irregular heartbeat; persistent or severe headaches or dizziness; chest pain; fainting; and uncontrolled muscle movements.
Warnings
Patients should never suddenly stop using Daytrana because depression or other mental problems may develop. Instead, if you wish to stop taking Daytrana your doctor will slowly lower your dose over time. Also, abusing Daytrana can cause addiction or severe mental problems. When the drug is abused, it will not be as effective in treating ADHD. Daytrana can also have serious side effects for people with heart conditions and seizure disorders, and patients should have their blood pressure and heart rate monitored regularly while taking the medication. Daytrana is not safe for people with glaucoma or Tourette's syndrome.
Drug Interactions
Like many medications, Daytrana is known to interact with several other drugs, resulting in potentially dangerous reactions or an increased likelihood of side effects. For example, patients should not take Daytrana with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOI inhibitors, because severe high blood pressure can result. Pressor agents such as norepinephrine, when taken with Daytrana, can also cause high blood pressure. People taking anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, some anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants increase their likelihood of experiencing side effects when also using Daytrana patches. Some high-blood-pressure medications are not as effective when taken with Daytrana, and taking it with clonidine can result in serious side effects.
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