Adderall XR vs Concerta
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Adderall XR
Mixed Amphetamine Salts XR
Manufactured by Teva
Concerta
Methylphenidate ER
Manufactured by Janssen
Adderall XR costs 11% less per claim than Concerta ($117.00 vs $131.00). A generic version of Adderall XR is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Adderall XR | Concerta |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $117.00 | $131.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $567.0M | $456.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 580,000 | 420,000 |
| Total Claims | 4,860,000 | 3,480,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $978.00 | $1,086.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -14.2% | -22.1% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Teva | Janssen |
| Condition | ADHD | ADHD |
| Generic Name | Mixed Amphetamine Salts XR | Methylphenidate ER |
Adderall XR vs Concerta: What the Data Shows
Adderall XR (Mixed Amphetamine Salts XR) and Concerta (Methylphenidate ER) are both used to treat adhd. Based on Medicare Part D data, Adderall XR costs $117.00 per claim, which is 11% less than Concerta at $131.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $567.0M on Adderall XR and $456.0M on Concerta. In terms of patient reach, Adderall XR serves more beneficiaries (580,000 vs 420,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -14.2% for Adderall XR and -22.1% for Concerta.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adderall XR is cheaper at $117.00 per claim, compared to $131.00 for Concerta. That makes Adderall XR about 11% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Adderall XR and Concerta are used to treat adhd. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Mixed Amphetamine Salts XR and generic Methylphenidate ER can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $567.0M on Adderall XR covering 580,000 beneficiaries, and $456.0M on Concerta covering 420,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.