Special Needs Education

» Hope0130 - where to put the patch

In response to where to put the patch posted by momto1girl4boys:

My son started the patch a couple of days ago. He is almost 6 but does not even weigh 40 lbs yet so obviously he has no hips. I called the manufacturer (Shire) and they advised me not to stick it anywhere other than the hips as they have not studied other areas and how it is obsorbed into the body or its effects. When I take the patch off I use Aquaphor which seems to help and by the next morning his skin is nearly back to normal.

-- posted by Hope0130

» mj22345 - dosage level

Has anyone noticed that it takes less mg dosage of the patch to do the same work as a higher dosage level taken orally?
We recently changed my son's prescription from the 30 mg patch he was on (because he was experiencing severe headaches and nausea) to a 10 mg patch. He is doing fine on the 10 mg patch, symptoms under control and no adverse side effects. Prior to the patch, he was taking 40 mg of Metadate orally. Has anyone else experienced this? I think it is important that the manufacturer be aware of this, so doctors can know it too.

-- posted by mj22345

» Dylansmom01 - Daytrana Patch

In response to Daytrana Patch posted by jand120:

My son was on the 10mg patch for a while, but didn't see much of a difference, decided to try the 20 mg. patch, and it has made a world of difference in his behavior. Give it a try if your doctor says it is okay.

I'm so glad I found this site. Great information!! My youngest son just turned 5 and was diagnosed with ADHD 6 weeks ago and was started on Daytrana 10mg/day. He's had symptoms since he could walk! He had major mood swings for the first few days. By the end of the first week, he was doing wonderfully. His preschool teachers and Sunday school teachers were amazed at the difference in him. However after a few more days we started seeing days when it was as if he were not even wearing a patch. Then a few days later he would have a few great days again. I'm very consistent in the way I apply the patches. I actually read entries on this site before he tried his first patch, so I was fully aware of the adhesive problems. From the first day, I did the 10 minute fridge thing and our ped. had told me how to separate and remove the backing and to hold it on (one side at a time for 30 seconds each). So I've been consistent in this method from the beginning and have had little problems (have only had to throw away one patch). They are a pain sometimes though. I don't have any problems with it staying on either. So I don't have any idea why this is happening. For example, for the last 3 days it is almost as if he has no patch on, but today he is calm and well behaved (although it took 3 1/2 hours this time to see the difference - 1 1/2 hours).
I was suspicous of defective patches after the first 30-day box. The doctor wanted him to switch to 8 hours instead of 9 hours now because of his late-afternoon moodiness. My second box is doing the same thing.
On a day like today, I want to keep trying the patch because it works so well - when it works, but on bad days, I just want him to try swallowing pills. Then again, after reading about the pills, I don't know if I want to go that route either.
Anyone else have inconsistencies in the patch working???

-- posted by Dylansmom01

» kkridler - Daytrana Patch

In response to Daytrana Patch posted by Dylansmom01:
I have had some troublr with inconsistency. It seemed to start when I put the patches in the fridge, so I stopped doing that. I have gotten better at peeling them quickly, so I am not having as much trouble there. I handle them by the edges and peel fast. Getting the backing corners (those little points) up is the hardest. I confess I usually use my teeth! My 8 year old is using it, and he just could not swallow the pill. The patch offers the advantage that I can put it on him about 1/2 hour before he wakes in the morning - so morning routine goes much better - and take it off after homework (around 4-5) so it doesn't keep him awake at night. On the pill he was just exhausted and very moody by the end of the day. The patch has worked very well, in spite of he challenges.

-- posted by kkridler

» katey_1998 - dosage level

In response to dosage level posted by mj22345:

Yes - my doctor told me that you needed a lower dose of the patch vs. oral (my son was on Metadate as well) because the patch does not need to be metabolized through the stomach - since it is absorbed through the skin

-- posted by katey_1998

» Dylansmom01 - I called shire about the inconsistencies in the 10 mg patch and

I called shire about the inconsistencies in the 10 mg patch and they are reporting it to the FDA. Also, my pediatrician wanted to try my son on the 15mg patch. I didn't have adhesive problems with the 10mg, but the 15mg is impossible to get the backing off at all, let alone with all the adhesive and meds still intact. Shire was very nice and willing to talk to me about the problems. Shire quality control volunteered to call my pharmacy and ask for a product exchange (on the 15mg), to which my pharmacy agreed. A new batch has to be ordered, so I will get it sometime next week. Shire is also allowing me to use another trial card (up to 40 free patches) to reimburse me for the problematic 10 mg patches. Shire usually only allows 1 card to be used per patient and I used part of the first one (30) on his beginning prescription (given to me by the doctor). I can get the 2nd card from my doctor. For those that haven't gotten to use a trial card, ask your doctor if they have any. However, if you use it on a box of 30, save it and your doctor has to write another prescription for a box of 10. You can't use the remaining 10 to pay for part of a prescription of 30 patches. I found that out the hard way. So I paid the full $128.00 (co-pay) and will use it next time (asking the ped. for a separate script for 10).

-- posted by Dylansmom01

» cherylrose48 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I called shire about the inconsistencies in the 10 mg patch and posted by Dylansmom01:

I received a 40 patch card from Shire after contacting them about the adhesive on the patch. My sons patches are paid for by Medicaid. Question is can someone else use the card or should I save it for some reason.

-- posted by cherylrose48

» Dylansmom01 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by cherylrose48:

I would think that someone else who has not used a card yet would be able to use yours. There is no ownership information known until the card is used. The company must get that info through the pharmacy. The card also needs to be activated before it can be used (by calling the activ. # on the sticker on the card). Maybe I gave my info that way. I don't remember.
I did get a product exchange on the 15mg "sticky" patches. The first 2 were OK. Then I had to throw the third one away. The one I used to replace that one was difficult, but we managed to salvage and use it. I just hope the company can work out all the kinks on these patches. They are helping so many children - including mine.

-- posted by Dylansmom01

» NelliRose13 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by Dylansmom01:

Hello, I just stumbled onto this site, and I am relieved to see that I am not the only one having problems with the backing on the patches. I am going to contact the manufacturer on Monday, as I am not happy with the patches we have tried so far. Did I understand that the 10 pack boxes seemed to be better? Did anyone else have to wait three weeks because of a backorder issue, or was that just me. We are from Northern Minnesota and my daughter is 17. She has taken ritilin pills since she was 8.

-- posted by NelliRose13

» Dylansmom01 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by NelliRose13:

Hi. What mg patch are you having trouble with? I have found that the 10mg patches are much easier to get the backing off than the 15mg that I have used. But I've read different things from everyone. I haven't had to wait more than a few days for an order, and that was on a product exchange on the 15mg. I'm not sure if the order was rushed or not due to the circumstances. ??? The pharmacy did not have any more in stock. I still had some 10mg to use until they came in. How did your daughter do on the pills. What is the main reason she is switching to the patch (if you don't mind my asking)?

-- posted by Dylansmom01