Experience with methylphenidate patch

[Anonymous]

If your child has been prescribed the generic methylphenidate patch, how has it gone? Were you able to find it in stock? If so, where?

My son has been on the short acting methylphenidate liquid with a booster dose at lunch but we’re looking for something extended release that isn’t a pill. Quillivant was good when we tried it for a month, but our insurance wouldn’t cover it and we couldn’t afford it out of pocket.

Insurance has approved the patch but no CVS near us has it. Trying to decide whether to keep hunting or give up. Will pharmacies tell you whether they have have it if you cold call and ask?

[Anonymous]

I don’t have experience with the patch but if you are in Virginia- I have found district pharmacy in Fairfax is great about medications and getting things filled that are hard

[Anonymous]

also, call your health plan. They might have a mail order pharmacy and mine was willing to call around. Apparently some others call CVS, a walgreens, a grocery store...that sometimes helps. Also, did you check a 24 hour CVS. I heard tell they sometimes have things other CVS's dont. This sht is real frustrating.

[Anonymous]

CVS came through! They were able to order it and thought the pharmacist was doubtful it arrived in a couple of days. So we’ll give it a try this month.

We’ve been able to stockpile a week’s worth of his liquid medicine so if we can’t get the patch next month it gives us some wiggle room to figure out what to do.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to use and peels off.

[Anonymous]

What are the benefits of using a patch rather than an extended release dose in pill form? Kid doesn’t like or can’t swallow pills?

[Anonymous]

We had similar issues with my son who can’t swallow pills. The generic extended methylphenidate capsules can be opened and sprinkled in a spoonful of applesauce. The individual beads are extended release, not the capsule itself so it doesn’t impact the effectiveness. Not sure if that’s an option for your son, OP.

We also tried quillichew, but had the same issues with insurance and cost. There are manufacturer coupons, so maybe getting a month of that with the coupon to cover any future gaps?

[Anonymous]

Most pharmacies probably don’t carry it, but any pharmacy can order it. Probably take about a week.
I’ve used the brand name patch years ago (Daytrana). The patch will continually release for up to 24 hours so don’t forget to yank it off. The only real downsides to a patch is the couple hour lag time once you put it on and the skin irritation once you remove it later in the day. Didn’t really bother me but some people have sensitive skin.