Daytrana Abuse Potential
Q:
"Why is the Daytrana skin patch considered less likely to be abused than pills? And is it just for kids?" 
A:
The new transdermal patch contains methylphenidate, the same drug found in Ritalin. It's less likely to be abused because it releases the methylphenidate very slowly. People who wish to abuse stimulants prefer pills, which can be swallowed (or crushed and snorted) for a rapid onset of action. Although the patch has been heavily marketed as an option for kids who cannot swallow pills, it can be used by adults as well as children.
Larry Silver, M.D., is the author of Dr. Larry Silver's Advice to Parents on AD/HD and The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child's Learning Disabilities. He is also a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
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