Daytrana and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Oak...
• September 8, 2015

For ADHD "I'm actually an adult on the patch. I am 28, female. I've been trying to find the right stimulant with bearable side effects since I was in high school. Please excuse the lengthy review, I just know the search can be tough and long. I have depression, ADD, GA & SA, and OCD skin (cuticle) picking tendencies. It's been very hard finding a stimulant that didn't worsen my anxiety-related symptoms. I could tolerate 5mg Adderall XR, but my body burned through both the XR and IR in about 3 hours. Then I would crash for the rest of the day (depressed, irritable, anxious). Vyvanse gave me zero motivation and made me calm but in a weird way. For example, I didn't care or worry about anything... I didn't even want to talk to people. I would just want to sit there alone and stare at a wall or something. It was nice to be that relaxed but too weird. But the real problem was the crash! It was the most extreme of all the stimulants I've tried by far! I took it only twice and threw it out. I almost didn't try Daytrana patch because Ritalin was actually the first stimulant I tried, which was over 10 years ago, and I remember similar symptoms to that I had on Adderall. I ended up giving it a try with the logic that it might be smoother since it was for children, and I was also desperate since I'm working and studying for the GRE. I'm so happy I gave Daytrana a shot!! I'm telling you if you suffer from anxiety, can't tolerate the crashes, and metabolize the other stimulants too fast, you have got to try this one!! I've only been on it for a week, but I can't believe it! I leave it in for the whole 9 hours, and I never crash. In comparison to Adderall, it is still the best stimulant for getting you motivated. I have to motivate myself a little, but unlike Adderall, I can stay focused ALL day with Daytrana. I'm also less likely to do something 'stimulanty' like start reorganizing my closet for no reason, but I do get the necessary cleaning, errands, bills, etc., done effortlessly. And the best part is that it doubles as an antidepressant since, what I assume is the increased dopamine, stays in my system pretty much all day and night. The 'happiness' doesn't feel like a high, it feels more like an absence of depression. I don't have any more of the repetitive negative thoughts. The constant emotions of hopelessness, guilt, embarrassment, you name it, just aren't there anymore. There is still a mild degree of sadness I carry with me, but I have major depression so I feel like it's only normal and I can handle that! As far as the negative side effects: Like all the stimulants I've been on, I still have insomnia, loss of appetite, and increased urge to pick at my cuticles at night when it's wearing off. But there is not a 'crash,' no evenings being completely drained of energy, fits of irritation, major anxiety, or depression. Also, the patch is applied to your hip and I'm experiencing some muscle tension in my legs, which I think might be slowly subsiding. I'm drinking a lot of water and taking vitamins in precaution of cramps. Advice on taking the patch off: It's easier for me to take it off when it's wet. I do it in the shower/bath or rub it off with a warm washcloth. Good luck!"

• Jes...
• October 9, 2018

For ADHD "I am 32 years old and have adult ADD. I also have addiction issues and have been sober for 5 years. I haven’t taken any meds since being sober but have been struggling. Last time I tried to take Vyvanse, and I ended up relapsing. The Daytrana patch has been amazing for me. I rated it an 8 just because no ADD meds are perfect and there are side effects. But in my experience, I've had a much better time with Daytrana than most other meds and seems to be less likely for someone to abuse. Mainly because it lasts all day, and there is no “crash” feeling like I've had with others which always triggers me to abuse them. I just wanted to share my experience because it’s really hard to have ADD and not be able to take meds, and addiction problems make this tricky. However, you should give it time once you start it because side effects will lessen once your body adjusts. I experienced extreme lack of appetite and anxiety, both went away after a month."

• 4Mo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2013

For ADHD "My son, almost 6, started on Daytrana right around 5 years old. We went from half a 10mg patch to a whole 10mg patch. Really, it's whatever we need that day. It does work. Positives for us: concentration improved, attitude solid. Negatives: if we leave the patch on from 8-6, we are up until 2 or 3 am if we do not give melatonin to help sleep. Appetite severely decreases on medicine, days without medicine he's eating like a horse. Overall, the medicine has more positives than negatives, I just would like more understanding on how, as a parent, to be able to handle all this."

• ADH...
• March 16, 2014

For ADHD "My son is 7 years old and has been diagnosed with ADHD and is using Daytrana 10 mg, which has been the BEST so far! After applying the patch, it takes a couple of hours for the medicine to start working. I noticed that if I place the patch on his hip, but closer to his butt, it is more effective. (My doctor said that other parents had noticed that the placement of the patch makes a difference.) At school, he is able to control his impulses, focus, and most importantly, still be a 7-year-old boy (not a zombie). The only downfalls to this medication are that he does not have an appetite (most of these meds cause this), and the area where you place the patch can get red and itchy. I rotate where I place the patch and use baby oil to remove the adhesive."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2014

For ADHD "I started using the patch when I was about 9 and using it now. I'm 13. I was in the lowest classes, and now I'm in the highest class in my grade. I used to have to sit in my room for 4 1/2 hours until I finished my homework. It got so bad sometimes that I didn't even finish my homework because it was getting too late. I couldn't hang out with friends. Now it only takes me about 30 minutes to an hour to finish. This patch helps me throughout the day. I only use it on weekdays when I'm at school because I only use it when I have to finish a task. But during school, I find my stomach rumbling in classes. I ate breakfast every morning and tried to eat lunch, but I lose my appetite. I find myself sweating during class also from not eating in the day."

• Bow...
• June 3, 2014

For ADHD "My 7-year-old son has been on the 15 mg patch going on his 4th month now, and it has been a Godsend. He went from a C and D student at the start of the school year to an almost straight A student at the end. I have found that if I use adhesive remover and put a little lotion on the site after removal, it manages the irritation. It definitely affects his appetite, but no more so than any of the other medications that he has been on. Night and day difference for us."

• PJ4...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2014

For ADHD "I call this my miracle. It saved my sanity. We weren't having success with anything! Wow! Love this patch! A young girl went from running around the house getting into one thing after another to finally being able to sit down and play video games. Side effects - she could just peel it off! Itching where applied seems to subside the longer you wear it. Gets red, irritated in that spot. Alternate hips. No appetite until the medicine wore off. I served breakfast at 4 am to get 3 meals a day. Dinner 1 1/2 - 2 hours after removing the patch and lunch, if you want to call it that, around 8 am. It was worth it to me to save my sanity. The patch does take 2 hours to kick in. Lasts well over an hour after you remove it. Left on longer than recommended on many occasions."

• Mom...
• January 23, 2010

For ADHD "Oldest son (now 11 1/2) known to us (and teachers) to have ADHD by 5 years of age. Did not want him on medicines, but by 2nd grade, he was not able to work to his potential. Tried Focalin. Made my sweet, funny child nauseous and zombie-like. We both cried every morning while he took it. Tried for 2 months, said, 'forget it, not worth it.' Next 4 years - no medicines at all, just great teachers and a LOT of work to keep his grades/other issues with ADD on track as best we could. EXTREMELY difficult, especially for him to maintain/not stay stressed out at school/doing homework/projects/sports. Middle school began this year. Too much to handle without something. Began DAYTRANA-10 mg at Christmas. Works wonders for him! No side effects except less appetite!"

• AMA...
• September 14, 2015

For ADHD "My son has had great results with this patch. He is 7 and on the 10 mg. He definitely has loss of appetite during the day, and it's hard to get him to sleep at a reasonable time, but he has had a complete turnaround at school. Since I know all ADHD meds have the same side effects I stated, my only real complaint is how it irritates his skin. He has taken it off several times due to itchiness (which does seem to go away after a couple of hours). As for getting the backing off, I 'warm it' between my palms for a minute or two and peel from the pointed part of the backing. Works perfectly."

• Liz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 15, 2016

For ADHD "I was first put on the Daytrana patch back in 2005, my freshman year of high school. I have been on and off it, due to not needing it at some times. I am 25 years old now and still only need 20 mg patches. I have not had any issues with this medication aside from the fact that some of the backings on the patches won't come off sometimes. It can leave a sticky residue on my skin, but nothing that bothers me. I just restarted this back up and have noticed a decrease in appetite, but once my levels get back to normal, appetite also comes back. I highly recommend keeping communication with your doctor about anything that feels 'off' to you. While on this medicine, my grades have always come up from D's and C's to A's and B's."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 20, 2021

For ADHD "I have been on Daytrana since I was 14-15 years old. I’m 28 now. It has been great. I have ADHD combined type and GAD. I had tried so many as a child, and this is so much different and so much better. No crash! I focus, and it has helped me to be the best I can be! Especially through high school, college, and grad school! I used to be on the 30 mg since the start, but once I hit 24-25 years old, my heart was going too fast, and I realized I didn't need as much anymore. Now I’m on the 20 mg, and it is just as good as it has been for years! There’s the lack of appetite, but that has subsided since going down in dosage. I love that even if I wake up late on the weekends, I won’t be up all night like I would with an ER pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2015

For ADHD "I started taking Daytrana a few days ago. It is mostly good, but my only problem is my loss of appetite. For the past two days, I've really only eaten breakfast, and that's when I just put the patch on. I have barely eaten anything besides little spoonfuls of soup and mac and cheese."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2009

For ADHD "My teenage daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD, to no surprise to anyone. She managed well until high school and was then put on Daytrana. She has experienced no side effects except a decrease in appetite, and if she keeps the patch on too long, she might have difficulty falling asleep. Her focus has improved substantially, and she is able to do her schoolwork. However, as everyone knows, this medication only solves one piece of the puzzle. Overall, she does not seem to have the rebound issues that people have with the medications taken by mouth."

• Eev...
• October 5, 2009

For ADHD "This patch was not very useful to me. All it did was irritate my skin and cause a huge loss in appetite. While on this, however, I lost no weight."