ADHD Treatment How Parents Can Save Money on ADHD Medications By Vincent Iannelli, MD 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. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 03, 2023 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 Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. Learn about our editorial process Print Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Request a Generic Shop Around Ask About Alternatives Coupons and Assistance Programs Drug Discount Cards A Word of Caution Trending Videos Close this video player Once-a-day attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines such as Adderall XR, Daytrana, Concerta, Vyvanse, and Dyanavel XR are convenient and generally work well. However, for roughly 38% of patients and their families, cost is a main barrier to ADHD treatment. Even with insurance coverage, high medication prices can be taxing on a family's budget. Here are a few ways to help make ADHD medications more affordable, which can also make it easier to stick to your treatment plan. How Much Is ADHD Medication? Brand name ADHD medication costs can vary but, as an example, a one-month supply of Qelbree (viloxazine) is roughly $330. Request a Generic ADHD Medication Choosing a generic medicine over a brand name 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 ADHD medication, you will likely pay (before insurance or any coupons): Amphetamine salt combo (generic Adderall): $85 to $120 for 60 tabletsAmphetamine salt combo XR (generic Adderall XR): $180 to $200 for 30 capsulesDexmethylphenidate (generic Focalin): $85 to $100 for 60 tabletsDexmethylphenidate XR (generic Focalin XR): $200 for 30 capsulesMethylphenidate ER (generic Concerta): $250 for 30 tabletsMethylphenidate (generic Ritalin): $75 to $90 for 60 tablets To get a generic drug when available, ask your healthcare provider to allow for this when writing the prescription. Talk with them first to ensure that the generic will be as effective as the brand-name drug they want to prescribe. 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 widely, depending on the medication. After using the website GoodRx to compare drug prices for 10 generic and 6 brand-name drugs, researchers noted that large-chain pharmacies often have better pricing than small-chain options. To help find the lowest price possible for the ADHD medicine you or your child has been prescribed, use a drug pricing site to compare your options. This enables you to find a local pharmacy that offers the medication needed at the lowest rate. Don't forget to check online pharmacies as well. Ask About Alternative ADHD Medications Some name-brand ADHD medications don't have generics, such as Vyvanse and Daytrana. In cases such as this, talk with your healthcare provider about other alternatives. They may be able to prescribe a different medication that works as well for treating ADHD but is less expensive. Your provider may also be able to give you free samples of a different medicine, so ask about this option. This gives you the opportunity to try the drug first and see if it works for you or your child. IF free samples aren't available, ask the provider to prescribe a 90-day supply, if feasible, as this 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 for prescription medicines on GoodRx or by checking the drug manufacturer's website. Some manufacturers offer a patient assistance program to assist with the cost of their drugs. Alternatively, you can check to see if you are eligible for a broader prescription assistance program through sites such as NeedyMeds. When ADHD Medications Aren't Working Get a Prescription Drug 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. Some options, such as SingleCare, are open to anyone, regardless of income. Most national pharmacies allow you to use a discount drug card when purchasing your medication. However, if you have insurance, check the price through your carrier first to see which is cheaper as you cannot use a discount card and insurance prescription coverage together. Best Insurance Companies for Mental Health A Word of Caution Some people try to save money by ordering an ADHD medication from an illegal or foreign website. However, doing this puts you or 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 ADHD treatments. These can cost you more in the long run without effectively treating your ADHD symptoms, along with potentially being unsafe due to the unknown short- and long-term risks of their use. ADHD medications aren't without side effects. Your healthcare provider can help you find the best and safest ADHD treatment for you according to your budget and needs. Top ADHD Resources for Adults 6 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. Baweja R, Soutullo CA, Waxmonsky JG. Review of barriers and interventions to promote treatment engagement for pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care. World J Psychiatry. 2021;11(12):1206-1227. doi:10.5498.wjp.v11.i12.1206 Goodell K, Erlich D. Viloxazine (Qelbree) for ADHD. Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(3):309-310. Azmi Hassali M, Alrasheedy AA, McLachlan A, et al. The experiences of implementing generic medicine policy in eight countries: A review and recommendations for a successful promotion of generic medicine use. Saudi Pharmaceut J. 2014;22(6):491-503. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2013.12.017 Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice. Generic drugs and low-cost prescriptions. Luo J, Kulldorff M, Sarpatwari A, Pawar A, Kesselheim AS. Variation in prescription drug prices by retail pharmacy type: A national cross-sectional study. Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(9):605-611. doi:10.7326/M18-1138 Vaswani S, Bogoch S, Schreiber-Gregory DN, et al. The emergency department GoodRx prescription discount card distribution program. Am J Emergency Med. 2022;62:129-131. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2022.08.049 Additional Reading 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? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit