WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
Serious Cardiovascular Events
Sudden Death and Pre-existing Structural Cardiac
Abnormalities or Other Serious Heart Problems
Children And Adolescents
Sudden death has been reported in association with CNS
stimulant treatment at usual doses in children and adolescents with structural
cardiac abnormalities or other serious heart problems. Although some serious
heart problems alone carry an increased risk of sudden death, stimulant
products generally should not be used in children or adolescents with known
serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm
abnormalities, or other serious cardiac problems that may place them at
increased vulnerability to the sympathomimetic effects of a stimulant drug.
Adults
Sudden deaths, stroke, and myocardial infarction have
been reported in adults taking stimulant drugs at usual doses for ADHD.
Although the role of stimulants in these adult cases is also unknown, adults
have a greater likelihood than children of having serious structural cardiac
abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary
artery disease, or other serious cardiac problems. Adults with such abnormalities
should also generally not be treated with stimulant drugs.
Hypertension And Other Cardiovascular Conditions
Stimulant medications cause a modest increase in average
blood pressure (about 2-4 mmHg) and average heart rate (about 3-6 bpm), and
individuals may have larger increases. While the mean changes alone would not
be expected to have short-term consequences, all patients should be monitored
for larger changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Caution is indicated in
treating patients whose underlying medical conditions might be compromised by
increases in blood pressure or heart rate, e.g., those with pre-existing
hypertension, heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, or ventricular
arrhythmia [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Assessing Cardiovascular Status In Patients Being Treated
With Stimulant Medications
Children, adolescents, or adults who are being considered
for treatment with stimulant medications should have a careful history
(including assessment for a family history of sudden death or ventricular
arrhythmia) and physical exam to assess for the presence of cardiac disease,
and should receive further cardiac evaluation if findings suggest such disease
(e.g., electrocardiogram and echocardiogram). Patients who develop symptoms such
as exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of
cardiac disease during stimulant treatment should undergo a prompt cardiac
evaluation.
Psychiatric Adverse Events
Pre-Existing Psychosis
Administration of stimulants may exacerbate symptoms of
behavior disturbance and thought disorder in patients with a pre-existing
psychotic disorder.
Bipolar Illness
Particular care should be taken in using stimulants to
treat ADHD in patients with comorbid bipolar disorder because of concern for
possible induction of a mixed/manic episode in such patients. Prior to
initiating treatment with a stimulant, patients with comorbid depressive
symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for
bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history,
including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Emergence Of New Psychotic Or Manic Symptoms
Treatment emergent psychotic or manic symptoms, e.g.,
hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania in children and adolescents
without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania can be caused by
stimulants at usual doses. If such symptoms occur, consideration should be
given to a possible causal role of the stimulant, and discontinuation of
treatment may be appropriate. In a pooled analysis of multiple short term,
placebocontrolled studies, such symptoms occurred in about 0.1% (4 patients
with events out of 3,482 exposed to methylphenidate or amphetamine for several
weeks at usual doses) of stimulant-treated patients compared to none in
placebo-treated patients.
Aggression
Aggressive behavior or hostility is often observed in
children and adolescents with ADHD, and has been reported in clinical trials
and the postmarketing experience of some medications indicated for the
treatment of ADHD. Although there is no systematic evidence that stimulants
cause aggressive behavior or hostility, patients beginning treatment for ADHD
should be monitored for the appearance of or worsening of aggressive behavior or
hostility.
Seizures
There is some clinical evidence that stimulants may lower
the convulsive threshold in patients with prior history of seizures, in
patients with prior EEG abnormalities in absence of seizures, and, very rarely,
in patients without a history of seizures and no prior EEG evidence of
seizures. In the presence of seizures, the drug should be discontinued.
Priapism
Prolonged and painful erections, sometimes requiring
surgical intervention, have been reported with methylphenidate products in both
pediatric and adult patients. Priapism was not reported with drug initiation
but developed after some time on the drug, often subsequent to an increase in
dose. Priapism has also appeared during a period of drug withdrawal (drug
holidays or during discontinuation). Patients who develop abnormally sustained
or frequent and painful erections should seek immediate medical attention.
Peripheral Vasculopathy, Including Raynaudâ⬙s Phenomenon
Stimulants, including Daytrana, used to treat ADHD are
associated with peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaudâ⬙s phenomenon. Signs
and symptoms are usually intermittent and mild; however, very rare sequelae include
digital ulceration and/or soft tissue breakdown. Effects of peripheral
vasculopathy, including Raynaudâ⬙s phenomenon, were observed in post-marketing
reports at different times and at therapeutic doses in all age groups
throughout the course of treatment. Signs and symptoms generally improve after
reduction in dose or discontinuation of drug. Careful observation for digital
changes is necessary during treatment with ADHD stimulants. Further clinical
evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral) may be appropriate for certain
patients
Long-Term Suppression of Growth
Careful follow-up of weight and height in children ages 7
to 10 years who were randomized to either methylphenidate or non-medication
treatment groups over 14 months, as well as in naturalistic subgroups of newly
methylphenidate-treated and non-medication treated children over 36 months (to
the ages of 10 to 13 years), suggests that consistently medicated children
(i.e., treatment for 7 days per week throughout the year) have a temporary
slowing in growth rate (on average, a total of about 2 cm less growth in height
and 2.7 kg less growth in weight over 3 years), without evidence of growth
rebound during this period of development. Published data are inadequate to
determine whether chronic use of amphetamines may cause a similar suppression
of growth, however, it is anticipated that they likely have this effect as
well. Therefore, growth should be monitored during treatment with stimulants,
and patients who are not growing or gaining height or weight as expected may
need to have their treatment interrupted.
Chemical Leukoderma
Daytrana use may result in a persistent loss of skin pigmentation
at and around the application site. Loss of pigmentation, in some cases, has
been reported at other sites distant from the application site. Chemical leukoderma
can mimic the appearance of vitiligo, particularly when the loss of skin
pigmentation involves areas distant from the application site. Individuals with
a history of vitiligo and/or a family history of vitiligo may be more at risk.
Skin depigmentation may persist even after Daytrana use is discontinued.
Monitor for signs of skin depigmentation, and advise patients to immediately
inform their healthcare provider if changes in skin pigmentation occur.
Discontinue the Daytrana patch in patients with chemical leukoderma.
Contact Sensitization
In an open-label study of 305 subjects conducted to
characterize dermal reactions in children with ADHD treated with Daytrana using
a 9-hour wear time, one subject (0.3%) was confirmed by patch testing to be sensitized
to methylphenidate (allergic contact dermatitis). This subject experienced
erythema and edema at Daytrana application sites with concurrent urticarial
lesions on the abdomen and legs resulting in treatment discontinuation. This
subject was not transitioned to oral methylphenidate.
Use of Daytrana may lead to contact sensitization.
Daytrana should be discontinued if contact sensitization is suspected. Erythema
is commonly seen with use of Daytrana and is not by itself an indication of
sensitization. However, contact sensitization should be suspected if erythema
is accompanied by evidence of a more intense local reaction (edema, papules,
vesicles) that does not significantly improve within 48 hours or spreads beyond
the patch site. Confirmation of a diagnosis of contact sensitization (allergic
contact dermatitis) may require further diagnostic testing.
Patients sensitized from use of Daytrana, as evidenced by
development of an allergic contact dermatitis, may develop systemic
sensitization or other systemic reactions if methylphenidate-containing
products are taken via other routes, e.g., orally. Manifestations of systemic
sensitization may include a flare-up of previous dermatitis or of prior
positive patch-test sites, or generalized skin eruptions in previously
unaffected skin. Other systemic reactions may include headache, fever, malaise,
arthralgia, diarrhea, or vomiting. No cases of systemic sensitization have been
observed in clinical trials of Daytrana.
Patients who develop contact sensitization to Daytrana
and require oral treatment with methylphenidate should be initiated on oral
medication under close medical supervision. It is possible that some patients
sensitized to methylphenidate by exposure to Daytrana may not be able to take
methylphenidate in any form.
Visual Disturbance
Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision
have been reported with stimulant treatment.
Patients Using External Heat
Patients should be advised to avoid exposing the Daytrana
application site to direct external heat sources, such as hair dryers, heating
pads, electric blankets, heated water beds, etc., while wearing the patch. When
heat is applied to Daytrana after patch application, both the rate and extent
of absorption are significantly increased. The temperature-dependent increase
in methylphenidate absorption can be greater than 2-fold [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. This increased absorption can be clinically significant and
can result in overdose of methylphenidate [see OVERDOSAGE].
Hematologic Monitoring
Periodic CBC, differential, and platelet counts are
advised during prolonged therapy.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise patients to read the FDA-approved patient labeling
(Medication Guide).
Information for Patients
Priapism
Advise patients, caregivers, and family members of the
possibility of painful or prolonged penile erections (priapism). Instruct
the patient to seek immediate medical attention in the event of priapism [see
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Circulation problems in fingers and toes [Peripheral
vasculopathy, including Raynaudâ⬙s phenomenon]
- Instruct patients beginning treatment with Daytrana about
the risk of peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaudâ⬙s Phenomenon, and in
associated signs and symptoms: fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful,
and/or may change color from pale, to blue, to red
- Instruct patients to report to their physician any new
numbness, pain, skin color change, or sensitivity to temperature in fingers or
toes.
- Instruct patients to call their physician immediately
with any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes while using
Daytrana
- Further clinical evaluation (e.g., rheumatology referral)
may be appropriate for certain patients.
Chemical Leukoderma
Advise patients of the possibility of a persistent loss
of skin pigmentation at, around and distant from the application site. Advise
patients to immediately inform their healthcare provider if changes in skin
pigmentation occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Parents and patients should be informed to apply Daytrana
to a clean, dry site on the hip, which is not oily, damaged, or irritated. The
site of application must be alternated daily. The patch should not be applied
to the waistline, or where tight clothing may rub it.
If patients or caregivers experience difficulty
separating the patch from the release liner or observe tearing and/or other
damage to the patch during removal from the liner, the patch should be
discarded according to the directions provided in this label, and a new patch
should be applied [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Patients or caregivers
should inspect the release liner to ensure that no adhesive containing
medication has transferred to the liner. If adhesive transfer has occurred, the
patch should be discarded.
Daytrana should be applied 2 hours before the desired
effect. Daytrana should be removed approximately 9 hours after it is applied,
although the effects from the patch will last for several more hours. Daytrana
may be removed earlier than 9 hours if a shorter duration of effect is desired
or late day side effects appear.
The parent or caregiver should be encouraged to use the
administration chart included with each carton of Daytrana to monitor
application and removal time, and method of disposal. The Medication Guide
included at the end of this insert also includes a timetable to calculate when
to remove Daytrana, based on the 9 hour application time.
Patients or caregivers should avoid touching the adhesive
side of the patch during application, in order to avoid absorption of
methylphenidate. If they do touch the adhesive side of the patch, they should
immediately wash their hands after application.
In the event that a patch does not fully adhere to the
skin upon application, or is partially or fully detached during wear time, the
patch should be discarded according to the directions provided in this label,
and a new patch should be applied [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. If a
patch is replaced, the total recommended wear time for that day should remain 9
hours, regardless of the number of patches used.
Patches should not be applied or re-applied with
dressings, tape, or other common adhesives.
Exposure to water during bathing, swimming, or showering
can affect patch adherence.
Do not cut patches. Only intact patches should be
applied.
If there is an unacceptable duration of appetite loss or
insomnia in the evening, taking the patch off earlier may be attempted before
decreasing the patch dose.
Skin redness or itching is common with Daytrana and small
bumps on the skin may also occur in some patients. If any swelling or blistering
occurs the patch should not be worn and the patient should be seen by the prescriber.
Patients or caregivers should not apply hydrocortisone or other solutions,
creams, ointments, or emollients immediately prior to patch application, since
the effect on patch adhesion and methylphenidate absorption has not been
established. The potential adverse effects of topical corticosteroid use during
treatment with Daytrana are unknown.
Stimulants may impair the ability of the patient to
operate potentially hazardous machinery or vehicles. Patients should be
cautioned accordingly until they are reasonably certain that Daytrana does not
adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.
Patches should be stored at 25 degrees Celsius (77
degrees Fahrenheit) with excursions permitted that do not exceed 15 to 30
degrees Celsius (59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) [see HOW SUPPLIED/Storage
And Handling]. Patients or caregivers should be advised not to store
Daytrana in the refrigerator or freezer.
Prescribers or other health professionals should inform
patients, their families, and their caregivers about the benefits and risks
associated with treatment with Daytrana and should counsel them in its
appropriate use. A patient Medication Guide is available for Daytrana. The
prescriber or health professional should instruct patients, their families, and
their caregivers to read the Medication Guide and should assist them in understanding
its contents. Patients should be given the opportunity to discuss the contents
of the Medication Guide and to obtain answers to any questions they may have.
The complete text of the Medication Guide is reprinted at the end of this
document.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis/Mutagenesis And Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity studies of transdermal methylphenidate
have not been performed. In a lifetime carcinogenicity study of oral
methylphenidate carried out in B6C3F1 mice, methylphenidate caused an increase
in hepatocellular adenomas and, in males only, an increase in hepatoblastomas,
at a daily dose of approximately 60 mg/kg/day. Hepatoblastoma is a relatively
rare rodent malignant tumor type. There was no increase in total malignant
hepatic tumors. The mouse strain used is sensitive to the development of
hepatic tumors and the significance of these results to humans is unknown.
Orally administered methylphenidate did not cause any
increases in tumors in a lifetime carcinogenicity study carried out in F344
rats; the highest dose used was approximately 45 mg/kg/day.
In a 24-week oral carcinogenicity study in the transgenic
mouse strain p53+/-, which is sensitive to genotoxic carcinogens, there was no
evidence of carcinogenicity. In this study, male and female mice were fed diets
containing the same concentration of methylphenidate as in the lifetime
carcinogenicity study; the high-dose groups were exposed to 60 to 74 mg/kg/day
of methylphenidate.
Mutagenesis
Methylphenidate was not mutagenic in the in vitro Ames
reverse mutation assay or in the in vitro mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation
assay, and was negative in vivo in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay.
Sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations were increased,
indicative of a weak clastogenic response, in an in vitro assay in cultured
Chinese hamster ovary cells.
Impairment Of Fertility
Methylphenidate did not impair fertility in male or
female mice that were fed diets containing the drug in an 18- week Continuous
Breeding study. The study was conducted at doses up to 160 mg/kg/day.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies with transdermal
methylphenidate have not been performed. In a study in which oral
methylphenidate was given to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis
at doses up to 200 mg/kg/day no teratogenic effects were seen, although an
increase in the incidence of a variation, dilation of the lateral ventricles,
was seen at 200 mg/kg/day; this dose also produced maternal toxicity. A
previously conducted study in rabbits showed teratogenic effects of
methylphenidate at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg/day. In a study in which oral
methylphenidate was given to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis
at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day, no teratogenic effects were seen although a
slight delay in fetal skeletal ossification was seen at doses of 60 mg/kg/day
and above; these doses caused some maternal toxicity.
In a study in which oral methylphenidate was given to
rats throughout pregnancy and lactation at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day, offspring
weights and survival were decreased at 40 mg/kg/day and above; these doses
caused some maternal toxicity.
Adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women
have not been conducted. Daytrana should be used during pregnancy only if the
potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Labor And Delivery
The effect of Daytrana on labor and delivery in humans is
unknown.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether methylphenidate is excreted in
human milk. Daytrana should be administered to a nursing woman only if the
potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the child.
Pediatric Use
Daytrana should not be used in children under six years
of age, since safety and efficacy in this age group have not been established.
Long-term effects of methylphenidate in children have not been well
established.
Studies with transdermal methylphenidate have not been
performed in juvenile animals. In a study conducted in young rats,
methylphenidate was administered orally at doses of up to 100 mg/kg/day for 9
weeks, starting early in the postnatal period (Postnatal Day 7) and continuing
through sexual maturity (Postnatal Week 10). When these animals were tested as
adults (Postnatal Weeks 13-14), decreased spontaneous locomotor activity was observed
in males and females previously treated with 50 mg/kg/day or greater, and a
deficit in the acquisition of a specific learning task was seen in females
exposed to the highest dose. The no effect level for juvenile neurobehavioral
development in rats was 5 mg/kg/day. The clinical significance of the long-term
behavioral effects observed in rats is unknown.
Geriatric Use
Daytrana has not been studied in patients greater than 65
years of age.