ADHD Treatment How Parents Can Save Money on ADHD Medications By Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD Facebook Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 13, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Adah Chung Fact checked by Adah Chung LinkedIn Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. Learn about our editorial process Print Paul Bradbury / Getty Images While they are very convenient and work well for most children, once-a-day ADHD medicines can be rather expensive. Many families without insurance and prescription drug benefits cannot afford these medicines, which include Adderall XR, Daytrana, Concerta, Vyvanse, or Dyanavel XR. Even with insurance coverage, high prices can be very taxing on a family budget. Generic ADHD Medications Choosing a generic medicine over a name-brand one is often a good way to save money on prescription drugs. Although there can be a great deal of variability in cost, if you or your child is able to take a generic version, you will likely pay (before insurance or any coupons): Amphetamine salt combo (generic Adderall): $85 to $120 for 60 tablets Amphetamine salt combo XR (generic Adderall XR): $180 to $200 for 30 capsules Dexmethylphenidate (generic Focalin): $85 to $100 for 60 tablets Dexmethylphenidate XR (generic Focalin XR): $200 for 30 capsules Methylphenidate ER (generic Concerta): $250 for 30 tablets Methylphenidate (generic Ritalin): $75 to $90 for 60 tablets Still, these are all bargains when you consider that a month of Vyvanse can cost well over $300. What To Know About Generic Adderall (Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine) Saving Money In addition to choosing generic ADHD medication when you can, there are other money-saving strategies that may help. Shop Around Prices at different pharmacies can vary by $25 to $40 or more depending on the medication. Use a drug pricing site, such as GoodRx, to look for the best prices on your medications. When and How a Child Should Stop Using ADHD Medications Ask Your Doctor for Help Talk with your doctor about alternatives to name-brand ADHD medications that don't have generics, such as Vyvanse and Daytrana. And remember that in some cases, your doctor can give you free samples of medicines so you can try them and see if they work for your child. Ask your pediatrician to prescribe a 90-day supply if feasible, which is sometimes a little cheaper (and also allows you to lock in a good price for three months if you find one). Look for Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs Coupons are available for many name-brand ADHD medications that don't have generic versions. You can find coupons on GoodRx or by checking the manufacturer's website. Manufacturers may have their own patient assistance programs, or you can check to see if you are eligible for a broader prescription assistance program, such as NeedyMeds. When ADHD Medications Aren't Working Get a Prescription Discount Card Prescription drug discount cards are similar to patient assistance programs in that they can help reduce the prices of many drugs you purchase. You can use them as a supplement to any insurance coverage you have and some, such as SingleCare, are open to anyone, regardless of income. Use Caution Don't try to save money by ordering an ADHD medication from an illegal or foreign website, which will simply put your child at risk. In addition to getting scammed out of your money, you may receive a contaminated or counterfeit product, the wrong product, or an incorrect dose. Also avoid unproven or non-evidence based treatments, which will likely end up costing you more in the long run. What Are the Top ADHD Resources? Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Wolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4). doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528 By Vincent Iannelli, MD Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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