Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Though it's most often discovered and diagnosed in children, ADHD can last into adulthood. Treatment sometimes lasts years, and the cost of paying for medication can rise quickly.
Medications, along with doctors' appointments and check-ups, come with a price tag. Before you fill a prescription for an ADHD medication, do some research. Below, we've listed the retail prices for the brand name and generic versions of Adderall and other popular ADHD medications. Remember, prices can change from one pharmacy to another, so be sure to compare costs with your local pharmacies.
If your medication costs are too high, help is available. In addition to cost-saving techniques, such as mail-order prescriptions and coupons, you may find prescription financial assistance through patient assistance programs. Many organizations and pharmaceutical companies offer ways to lower your drug costs to people who qualify.
Read on to learn about common ADHD medications, how much they can cost, and where you can find help with prescription expenses.
Although nonstimulant medications are available for treating ADHD, stimulants are generally considered more effective. Each medication on this list, including Adderall, is a central nervous system stimulant. Your doctor will be able to tell you if a stimulant is right for you or your child.
The prices listed for these ADHD drugs are a national average of retail prices from 2012. The retail cost is how much you can expect to pay out of pocket without prescription insurance. These brand name and generic prices were taken from Healthline's ADHD Consumer Reports page.
Compare more than 100 ADHD medications from Consumer Reports »
Amphetamine mixture (Adderall)
$285 – $298/month for 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg tablet brand name
$84 – $94/month for 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg tablet generic
Amphetamine mixture (Adderall XR)
$265 – $291/month for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg continuous-delivery capsule brand name
$177 – $184/month for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg continuous-delivery capsule generic
Dextroamphetamine (ProCentra)
$256/month for 5 mg/5 ml solution brand name
$24/month for 5 mg tablet generic
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
$229/month for 10 mg sustained-release capsule brand name
$100/month for 10 mg sustained-release capsule generic
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
$70/month for 2.5 mg tablet brand name
$52/month for 2.5 mg tablet generic
Methylphenidate (Methylin)
$317/month for 5 mg/5 ml solution brand name
$240/month for 5 mg/5 ml solution generic
Methylphenidate (Methylin ER)
$34/month for 10 mg sustained-release tablet brand name
$32/month for 10 mg sustained-release tablet generic
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
$66/month for 5 mg tablet brand name
$18/month for 5 mg tablet generic
Methylphenidate (Daytrana)
$238/month for 20 mg/9 hr patch/disc brand name
$33/month for 20 mg extended-release tablet generic
Methylphenidate (Metadate CD)
$188/month for 30 mg sustained-release capsule brand name
$144/month for 30 mg sustained-release capsule generic
Methylphenidate (Concerta)
$207/month for 18 mg sustained-release tablet brand name
$172/month for 18 mg sustained-release tablet generic
Methylphenidate (Concerta)
$215/month for 27 mg sustained-release tablet brand name
$176/month for 27 mg sustained-release tablet generic
Adderall is one of the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. It comes in a variety of doses and is generally safe for most patients. For that reason, people with ADHD may be able to use it for a longer period of time, changing doses as they grow older. The cash price for Adderall ranges from $100 for the generic version to almost $300 for the brand name medicine. But if you don't have health insurance, even the generic version may be too expensive. That's where prescription assistance can help.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are plans that help patients cover all or some of their prescription costs. A PAP may be available for both brand name and generic medications. The following PAP resources can help reduce the cost of Adderall for those who qualify.
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds is a national nonprofit patient assistance program resource. NeedyMeds maintains a database of pharmaceutical company and private PAPs. Instead of searching multiple websites, NeedyMeds provides information in one place.
NeedyMeds does not show any PAP results for Adderall. However, it does list information on a patient assistance program for Concerta. NeedyMeds also has a prescription discount card that may help reduce your ADHD medication costs. Download and print the card from the NeedyMeds website. Present the card each time you fill a prescription. The pharmacist will be able to determine if the NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can lower your total cost for your ADHD medications.
For more information, call 800-503-6897.
RxAssist
RxAssist is a PAP website run by pharmaceutical companies. Instead of searching for individual PAPs that might cover your ADHD prescription, RxAssist can find several at once. For Adderall, RxAssist did not find any relevant PAPs.
However, RxAssist provides a prescription discount card. You may be able to use this card even if you have health insurance coverage. Print a copy of the card from RxAssist's website. Each time you fill a prescription, hand the pharmacist your discount card. They can enter the information to see if RxAssist can help lower your final prescription cost.
For more information, email info@rxassist.org.
PatientAssistance
PatientAssistance.com is a non-profit website. It compiles money-saving offers for many prescription medications. For Adderall, PatientAssistance provides two printable coupons that can help you save money. If you have a prescription for Adderall, download and print either the Adderall or the Adderall XR coupon. Take your prescription to a participating pharmacy, and the coupon could save you as much as 55 percent off the cash price.
Find the Help You Need
If you can't afford your current ADHD medicines, work with your doctor to find a drug that both treats your symptoms and doesn't break the bank. Don't give up on your medicine or refuse to take it because the cost is too great. Resources are available for people, regardless of your income, age, or health insurance status.