The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first ever skin patch for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.
More than 3.3 million American children under the age of 19 take ADHD drugs. CBS Medical analyst Dr. Emily Senay says the patch gives those who have a hard time swallowing pills a choice. "Basically what they do is that they apply it in the morning, and then they remove it nine hours later," she says. "It is designed to withstand all the things that kids typically do [like] exercising, bathing and it should make it a lot easier for kids who really need this medication to get it."
Clinical trials showed the patch to be safe and effective, although it has not yet been tested head to head against any other ADHD drugs, including the pill form.
Dr. Senay says the FDA has insisted on a label that details common side effects from the drugs like insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and other health problems. "Such as stroke and other problems like hallucinations. So it remains to be seen what warnings they ultimately put on the box."
The ADHD patch could be on the market as early as June or July.