The FDA has approved Daytrana, the first skin patch to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Daytrana is designed to be worn for nine hours at a time, and contains methylphenidate, the same stimulant found in Ritalin.
The patch, unlike pills, can be removed if it causes side effects.
Panels of outside experts have recommended that the patch bear strong warnings regarding possible side effects, including a possible "black-box" label, the strongest warning possible. For now, the label will include the standard warning for methylphenidate drugs.
Some doctors worry that the patch could lead to even more children being prescribed ADHD medication unnecessarily. Over 3 million American children used an ADHD drug last year, including almost one in 10 12-year-old boys.