Concerta vs Vyvanse
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Concerta
Methylphenidate ER
Manufactured by Janssen
Vyvanse
Lisdexamfetamine
Manufactured by Takeda
Concerta costs 45% less per claim than Vyvanse ($131.00 vs $238.00). A generic version of Concerta is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Concerta | Vyvanse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $131.00 | $238.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $456.0M | $1.3B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 420,000 | 680,000 |
| Total Claims | 3,480,000 | 5,640,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $1,086.00 | $1,978.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -22.1% | -18.4% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Janssen | Takeda |
| Condition | ADHD | ADHD |
| Generic Name | Methylphenidate ER | Lisdexamfetamine |
Concerta vs Vyvanse: What the Data Shows
Concerta (Methylphenidate ER) and Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) are both used to treat adhd. Based on Medicare Part D data, Concerta costs $131.00 per claim, which is 45% less than Vyvanse at $238.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $456.0M on Concerta and $1.3B on Vyvanse. In terms of patient reach, Vyvanse serves more beneficiaries (680,000 vs 420,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -22.1% for Concerta and -18.4% for Vyvanse.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Concerta is cheaper at $131.00 per claim, compared to $238.00 for Vyvanse. That makes Concerta about 45% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Concerta and Vyvanse 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 Methylphenidate ER and generic Lisdexamfetamine can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $456.0M on Concerta covering 420,000 beneficiaries, and $1.3B on Vyvanse covering 680,000 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.