Provider Briefing: Daytrana Discontinuation and Its Impact on ADHD Care

Daytrana (Methylphenidate transdermal system) — the only FDA-approved transdermal Methylphenidate product — has been effectively discontinued by its manufacturer, Noven Pharmaceuticals. For providers who prescribed Daytrana to pediatric ADHD patients, this creates immediate clinical and logistical challenges.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, including the timeline, prescribing implications, alternative options, and tools to help your patients access medications.

Timeline: From Shortage to Discontinuation

The Daytrana supply disruption has been a slow-moving crisis:

• 2006: Daytrana receives FDA approval for ADHD in patients aged 6–17. Manufactured exclusively by Noven Pharmaceuticals (Hisamitsu subsidiary).
• 2016–2017: First reports of intermittent supply disruptions. FDA begins tracking availability.
• 2019–2021: Shortages become more frequent and prolonged. Pharmacies report increasing difficulty sourcing the product.
• 2022–2023: Noven significantly scales back production. Multiple strengths become simultaneously unavailable.
• 2023–2024: Production effectively ceases. FDA drug shortage database reflects discontinued status.
• 2025–2026: Any remaining pharmacy stock is residual. No active manufacturing, no generic pipeline.

Notably, no generic Methylphenidate transdermal system has ever received FDA approval. The complexity of the transdermal delivery technology — including patch adhesion, drug release kinetics, and skin permeation characteristics — made generic development commercially unattractive given Daytrana's relatively small market share.

Prescribing Implications

The loss of Daytrana eliminates the only non-oral, non-injectable Methylphenidate option from the treatment algorithm. This has specific implications for several patient populations:

Patients Unable to Swallow Solid Oral Dosage Forms

This was Daytrana's primary clinical niche. Children who refused or were unable to swallow tablets or capsules had the patch as a reliable alternative. With Daytrana gone, the remaining options include:

• Quillivant XR (Methylphenidate ER oral suspension) — the most direct substitute for swallowing difficulties
• Ritalin LA (Methylphenidate ER capsules) — capsules can be opened and beads sprinkled on applesauce
• Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine capsules) — can be opened and dissolved in water

Patients Requiring Flexible Duration of Effect

Daytrana's unique advantage was adjustable duration: removing the patch early shortened the therapeutic window. No oral formulation offers this level of flexibility. For patients who benefited from this feature, consider:

• Immediate-release Methylphenidate (Ritalin) with flexible dosing schedules
• Shorter-duration extended-release products (Ritalin LA at 8–10 hours vs. Concerta at 10–12 hours)

Patients with GI Absorption Concerns

Patients with conditions affecting gastrointestinal absorption (e.g., short bowel syndrome, severe GERD, bariatric surgery history) may have been prescribed Daytrana to bypass oral absorption. These patients require individualized assessment, potentially including therapeutic drug monitoring if switched to oral formulations.

Current Availability Picture

As of early 2026, Daytrana availability is near zero nationwide:

• Major wholesalers (McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health) show no active Daytrana listings
• Chain pharmacies have removed Daytrana from auto-replenishment systems
• Isolated independent pharmacies may have residual stock, but this is rapidly depleting
• No compounding alternative exists — Methylphenidate transdermal delivery requires FDA-approved manufacturing processes not replicable in compounding settings

Providers can direct patients to Medfinder for Providers to check real-time pharmacy inventory for Daytrana and alternative medications.

Cost and Access Considerations

For the rare patient who locates remaining Daytrana stock:

• Cash price: $350–$500 per 30-patch supply
• Insurance: Many plans have removed Daytrana from formularies. Prior authorization requests may be denied due to discontinued status.
• Savings programs: Noven's manufacturer savings card is no longer active. Third-party discount cards (GoodRx, SingleCare) generally show no available pricing.

For alternative medications, cost considerations include:

• Generic Methylphenidate ER (Concerta authorized generic): $50–$150/month
• Generic Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse generic): $30–$80/month
• Quillivant XR: $250–$400/month (limited generic availability)

Tools and Resources for Your Practice

Several resources can help streamline the transition for affected patients:

• Medfinder for Providers — Check real-time medication availability at pharmacies. Useful for both locating remaining Daytrana stock and verifying availability of prescribed alternatives.
• FDA Drug Shortage Database — Official tracking of shortage status and manufacturer communications.
• NeedyMeds and RxAssist — Patient assistance program databases for patients with financial barriers to alternative medications.
• State prescription monitoring programs (PDMPs) — Continue routine PDMP checks when prescribing alternative Schedule II stimulants.

For guidance on helping patients find medications in stock, see our provider's guide to helping patients find Daytrana.

Looking Ahead

The pharmaceutical pipeline does not currently include any new Methylphenidate transdermal products in late-stage development. However, the ADHD treatment landscape continues to evolve:

• Non-stimulant options like Viloxazine (Qelbree) and Guanfacine ER (Intuniv) provide alternatives for patients who cannot tolerate stimulants.
• Novel delivery systems for existing stimulants continue to be explored, though none currently replicate transdermal Methylphenidate delivery.
• Generic competition in the stimulant space is improving affordability for many patients.

Final Thoughts

The discontinuation of Daytrana represents the loss of a clinically unique formulation with no direct replacement. Providers should proactively identify patients still prescribed Daytrana and initiate transition planning rather than waiting for the next failed fill attempt.

Key action items:

1. Review your patient panel for active Daytrana prescriptions
2. Schedule transition appointments to discuss alternatives
3. Consider each patient's specific reason for being on Daytrana when selecting a replacement
4. Use Medfinder for Providers to verify availability before sending new prescriptions
5. Document the formulary change and clinical rationale in patient records

The goal is a smooth transition with minimal disruption to ADHD symptom management. With proper planning and patient communication, most patients can be successfully transitioned to an effective alternative.