Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy in adults and certain children. The cost of the drug can depend on several factors, such as whether you have insurance.
Adderall comes in two forms: Adderall immediate-release oral tablets and Adderall XR extended-release oral capsules.
Immediate release means the drug is released into your body right away. Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
Note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Adderall XR to treat only ADHD. The extended-release capsule is not approved to treat narcolepsy.
This article will discuss cost factors for both Adderall and Adderall XR. For more information about Adderall’s uses, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of prescription Adderall or Adderall XR can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- the form of Adderall you’re prescribed (Adderall or Adderall XR)
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Adderall has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Adderall or Adderall XR will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Adderall. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Adderall in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization, but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication.
You can ask your insurance company whether Adderall requires prior authorization.
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Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Adderall.
How does Adderall’s cost without insurance compare to its price with insurance?
The cost of Adderall with insurance versus your out-of-pocket cost without insurance depends on several factors.
Cost factors with insurance include the form of Adderall your doctor prescribes (immediate-release tablets versus extended-release capsules), your dosage, and your insurance plan.
Your out-of-pocket cost for Adderall can vary. If you don’t have insurance and need to pay for Adderall yourself, your cost can depend on the dosage form, dose, and the pharmacy you use. Also, your cost can vary depending on your eligibility for any cost-saving programs for Adderall.
Check out Optum Perks for estimates of Adderall’s or Adderall XR’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.) Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.
Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider about the cost of Adderall.
Does Adderall XR’s price vary based on which strength I take, such as 20 mg or 25 mg?
It’s possible. Adderall XR comes in several strengths, such as 20 milligrams (mg) and 25 mg. Adderall also comes in various strengths. The cost of different strengths of Adderall XR or Adderall can vary based on whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket. For example, your cost may not change if your insurance plan has a set copay — your share of the cost — for the drug.
However, if you don’t have insurance, your cost may differ based on the strength and form of Adderall your doctor prescribes. The cost of this drug can also depend on the pharmacy you use.
The price for various strengths of Adderall can also depend on your dosage and whether you’re eligible for any cost-saving programs for Adderall.
To learn more about the cost of your Adderall prescription, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Adderall and Adderall XR are available as generic drugs that contain several forms of the active drugs amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug.
The cost of generic Adderall without insurance may be less than brand-name versions of the drug.
The price of generic Adderall or generic Adderall XR is typically less than that of the brand-name version.
If your doctor has prescribed Adderall and you’re interested in using generic mixed amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts instead, talk with them. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Adderall, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can offer generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Adderall long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Adderall may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Adderall or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
For example, some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds.
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Adderall, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Adderall. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Adderall.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for Adderall, see this article. You can also read these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money: Explore this article for tips on saving money on prescriptions.
- More details: For details about other aspects of Adderall, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition: For more information about ADHD, see our ADHD hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.