Relexxii, Quillichew ER, Ritalin, Aptensio XR, Quillivant XR, Methylin, Ritalin LA, Metadate CD, Jornay Pm, Concerta

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Updated on October 26, 2023

Methylphenidate is a generic medication that’s prescribed for ADHD. The brand-name versions of this drug are Concerta, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Metadate, and others. The cost of methylphenidate with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Methylphenidate comes in these forms:

• chewable tablet you chew and swallow
• extended-release (ER) oral capsule you swallow (ER medications slowly release their contents into the body over some time)
• ER oral tablet you swallow
• oral solution you swallow
• oral tablet you swallow
• transdermal patch you place on your skin

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved methylphenidate for:

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• narcolepsy

The approved uses depend on the form of methylphenidate your doctor prescribes.

Read on to learn about methylphenidate and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about methylphenidate, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of methylphenidate

Like other medications, the cost of methylphenidate can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use 

To find out how much methylphenidate costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for methylphenidate

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of methylphenidate. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for methylphenidate

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of methylphenidate. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for methylphenidate. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin the medication without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re prescribed methylphenidate for long-term use, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Methylphenidate is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed methylphenidate but you’re interested in taking a brand-name version instead, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of methylphenidate compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about methylphenidate and cost

Here are some common questions about methylphenidate and their answers.

How much does methylphenidate cost without insurance?

Methylphenidate’s cost without insurance depends on several factors.

They include:

• the dosage form you’re prescribed
• your treatment plan
• the days’ supply of the medication (30-day versus 90-day)
• the pharmacy you use
• any cost-saving coupons that may be available

Typically, your cost without insurance will be higher than with insurance coverage.

To find out the cost of your methylphenidate prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Check around with a few pharmacies for the best cost without insurance.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about methylphenidate

This article provides cost information related to methylphenidate. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for methylphenidate.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• How much money could I save on methylphenidate with a coupon?
• Is methylphenidate transdermal patch less expensive than the chewable tablet?
• Which dosage forms of methylphenidate will my insurance cover?

Resources

• Aptensio XR (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release) capsules, for oral use, CII. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/205831s006lbl.pdf
• Concerta (methylphenidate HCl) extended-release tablets CII. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/021121s044lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release capsules, for oral use, CII. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f7a7ffd1-bc30-4db8-8391-dddf76acd639/spl-doc
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride oral solution. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e0a3cc3c-db6f-4693-9ad5-2b719b62fd92/spl-doc
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, chewable. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4de3567d-01e1-4be5-bfbc-0a4d6601a212/spl-doc
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablet, extended release. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f6581305-cd1e-4171-8c1b-e184c7bde033/spl-doc
• Methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets, for oral use, CII. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/4f3c91e6-4576-4326-bdab-7d8fb7c09bb8/spl-doc
• Methylphenidate transdermal system, CII. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7bcff873-1fc2-45bc-a8e4-5db4edeb9bfb/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.