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Daytrana is a transdermal patch that delivers Methylphenidate through the skin to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients aged 6 to 17. It was the only FDA-approved methylphenidate patch, offering an alternative for children who had difficulty swallowing pills or who experienced gastrointestinal side effects from oral formulations. The patch was applied to the hip area two hours before the desired effect and worn for up to nine hours before removal. Daytrana was manufactured by Noven Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, but has since been discontinued.
Daytrana works by blocking the reuptake of two key neurotransmitters — norepinephrine and dopamine — into presynaptic neurons. This increases the concentration of these chemicals in the synaptic cleft, improving focus, attention, and impulse control. What made Daytrana unique was its transdermal delivery system: the medication was absorbed steadily through the skin over the course of 9 hours, providing consistent blood levels without the peaks and valleys sometimes seen with oral formulations.
Before its discontinuation, Daytrana was available in four transdermal patch strengths:
Prescribers typically started patients at the 10 mg/9 hr dose and titrated upward weekly based on response and tolerability.
Daytrana scores a 25 out of 100 on our findability scale, meaning it is essentially impossible to find. Noven Pharmaceuticals has discontinued production of Daytrana, and no generic version of the methylphenidate transdermal patch has ever been approved. The FDA drug shortage database previously listed Daytrana, and as of 2026, no manufacturer is producing it. Patients who relied on Daytrana will need to work with their prescriber to transition to an oral methylphenidate alternative such as Concerta, Ritalin LA, or Quillivant XR.
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As a Schedule II controlled substance, Daytrana required a prescription from a licensed provider. The specialists who most commonly prescribed it included:
Since Daytrana is no longer available, prescribers now direct patients to oral Methylphenidate alternatives such as Concerta, Ritalin LA, or Quillivant XR.
Yes. Daytrana is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA due to its active ingredient, Methylphenidate, which carries a high potential for abuse and dependence. Schedule II is the most restrictive category for drugs with accepted medical use. Prescriptions for Daytrana could not be called in by phone and required a written or electronic prescription with no refills — each fill needed a new prescription.
Daytrana shared many side effects with oral Methylphenidate but also had unique skin-related concerns due to its patch delivery:
A serious and unique risk was chemical leukoderma — permanent skin depigmentation at the patch site. Other serious risks included cardiovascular events, psychiatric symptoms, growth suppression in children, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Since Daytrana has been discontinued with no generic available, patients should discuss these alternatives with their prescriber:
Daytrana carried several important drug interactions:
Additionally, external heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, and hot tubs could increase drug absorption from the patch and should have been avoided.
Daytrana was a one-of-a-kind ADHD treatment — the only transdermal Methylphenidate patch ever approved by the FDA. Its discontinuation left a real gap for patients who benefited from non-oral medication delivery, particularly children who struggled with swallowing pills. With no generic ever produced, there is no direct replacement. Patients previously on Daytrana should work closely with their prescriber to find an oral Methylphenidate formulation that meets their needs. Alternatives like Concerta, Ritalin LA, and Quillivant XR offer similar active ingredients with different delivery methods.
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