Many drugs have been determined to be successful in treating ADHD, especially Ritalin, but some children (and adults) have had difficulties tolerating these oral medications, often dealing with numerous side effects.  Some children simply cannot swallow the pills.

Prescribing the right dosage is often a difficult task as well, with medication “running out” before the end of the day and ADHD-related behaviors re-surfacing before the next dose.

However, many of those problems could be solved through the use of the new Ritalin patch, says Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a pediatric neurologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland. 

"The brand name people know is Ritalin. It's been put into a little patch, a Band-Aid type of a device, that would be put on the skin," said Wiznitzer. "It gets absorbed directly through skin and goes into the bloodstream in a fixed timing, so there's a constant delivery over a period of time, and it really lasts all day."

Studies with the patch, conducted at the Cleveland Clinic's ADHD Center for Evaluation and Treatment, showed extremely promising results, says Dr. Michael Manos, director. 

"There were two girls in the study who were constantly arguing with each other. When the patch was used, they were able to inhibit their impulsive response and actually cooperated," Manos said.  Others noted marked improvements in their children’s grades and in their ability to concentrate on tasks both at school and at home.

For now, however, it is recommended that the patch be used only as an alternative treatment for those who have problems with the oral version of Ritalin.