Xelstrym

What is Xelstrym?

Xelstrym is a once-daily transdermal amphetamine patch used to treat ADHD in adults and children aged 6 and older. Xelstrym was approved by the FDA in March 2022 and can be used to increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in people with ADHD. The patch comprises three layers: a printed backing, an acrylic adhesive matrix containing dextroamphetamine, and a release liner.

How Do You Use Xelstrym?

Xelstrym may be applied to the upper arm, upper back, hip, chest, or flank area. Patients should alternate between these placements each time a new Xelstrym patch is applied. Apply the patch two hours before the effects of the medication are needed and remove within nine hours. Do not use more than one patch in a 24-hour period.

Refer to the medication guide and full prescribing information, including the boxed warning, before taking Xelstrym. Patients or their caregivers should talk to a doctor to determine if Xelstrym is a good fit. The safety and effectiveness of Xelstrym for pediatric patients under 6 years of age is still unknown.

What Is the Typical Dosage for Xelstrym?

The optimal dosage varies from patient to patient. Your doctor may adjust your daily dosage by small increments until you or your child experiences the best response — that is, the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects.

For updated information about dosages, interactions, and precautions, see the Xelstrym drug monograph on WebMD.

Patients should not substitute with other amphetamine products while using Xelstrym.

What’s the Difference Between Xelstrym and Daytrana?

Daytrana and Xelstrym are class II stimulants, and both are delivered via transdermal patches. Daytrana, an amphetamine-based patch, is available to children between the ages of 6 and 17 and is applied to the hip area. Xelstrym, a dextroamphetamine-based patch, may be prescribed to both adult and pediatric populations. Application sites include the hip, upper arm, upper back, chest, or flank area.

Adderall XR is an amphetamine/dextroamphetamine medication delivered via a once-daily, timed-release capsule.

What Are the Ingredients in Xelstrym?

Dextroamphetamine is the active ingredient used in Xelstrym. Inactive ingredients include acrylic adhesives, green ink, polyester/polyurethane backing, and polyester release liner. Xelstrym is manufactured by Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

What Side Effects Are Associated with Xelstrym?

Among the most common side effects reported with Xelstrym are:

• trouble sleeping
• increased heart rate
• increased blood pressure
• irritability
• decreased appetite
• headache
• stomach pain
• nausea
• muscle twitching (tics)
• vomiting
• see the full list of possible side effects here

Serious heart-related problems may occur while taking Xelstrym, including sudden death, stroke, and heart attack in adults; or sudden death in children who have heart problems or heart defects. Increases in blood pressure and heart rate may also occur.

Patients may experience new or worsening psychiatric problems or bipolar illness, new psychotic symptoms, or new manic symptoms while taking Xelstrym. Any personal or family history of suicide, bipolar illness, depression, or other mental health problems should be disclosed.

Other serious side effects include:

• slowed growth in children, including height and weight
• circulation problems in fingers and toes, including Raynaud’s Phenomenon
• serotonin syndrome
• contact sensitization
• application site reactions, including pain, itching, burning feeling, redness, discomfort, or swelling at the application site.

Wait until you know how Xelstrym affects you before participating in potentially dangerous activities like driving or operating heavy machinery.

What Precautions Are Associated with Xelstrym?

Heart rate and blood pressure should be regularly monitored while taking Xelstrym. Patients with a personal or family history of high blood pressure, heart problems, or heart defects should share this with their HCP.

Dextroamphetamine is a federally controlled Class II substance. Abuse, physical dependence, or psychological dependence may occur. Talk to your provider about the risk of abuse prior to being treated with Xelstrym, including any history of abuse or dependence on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs. When taking Xelstrym, monitor for signs of abuse and dependence.

The effects of Xelstrym on an unborn child are not yet clear. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Xelstrym. Women exposed to Xelstrym during pregnancy or breastfeeding may participate in the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications to improve existing safety information.

Patients with severe renal impairment who take Xelstrym should not exceed a maximum dosage of 13.5mg, or 9mg for end stage renal disease.

What Interactions Are Associated with Xelstrym?

Do not use Xelstrym if you have a known sensitivity to amphetamines, or if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have within the past 14 days.

Tell your doctor if you are taking SSRIs, triptans, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, tryptophan, or St. John’s Wort. A full list of current medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements should be disclosed by the patient.

Patients may experience pain, redness, and other signs of discomfort around the Xelstrym application sites. Report any adverse reactions to a doctor.

This is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions. Refer to Xelstrym’s drug label information for consumers and health care professionals. Patients who are exposed to potentially dangerous levels of this medication should go to the nearest emergency room and/or call their doctor or a poison control center.

Sources

Noven Pharmaceuticals, LLC. (n.d.) Is it time to consider a patch to treat your ADHD? http://www.xelstrym.com

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (n.d.) Xelstrym. https://www.noven.com/xelstrym/

Daily Med. (2023, March 28). Label: Xelstrym. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0862f02a-72a8-41cc-8845-57cf4974bb6f&audience=consumer