If you’re looking at treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may want to learn more about Adderall. It’s a prescription drug used to treat ADHD in adults and some children. It’s also prescribed to treat narcolepsy.

Adderall and Adderall XR (extended-release) both contain the same active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Adderall comes as a tablet you swallow. Adderall XR comes as an extended-release capsule (meaning the drug is slowly released into your body over time). This is also taken by mouth.

This article discusses the cost of both Adderall and Adderall XR. Keep reading for details on the cost of these drugs and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Adderall, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Adderall can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for Adderall, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Adderall. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the drug is covered. If Adderall requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Adderall requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Adderall and cost.

How much will my Adderall prescription cost without insurance?

Adderall’s price without insurance can vary based on several factors, including the pharmacy you use.

To learn more about the cost you’ll pay for your Adderall prescription without insurance, talk with your pharmacist or doctor. You can also check out the “Can I get help paying for Adderall?” section below to learn more about lowering your prescription costs.

Is the price of higher doses of Adderall or Adderall XR, such as the 30-mg and 25-mg strengths, more expensive than lower doses?

Maybe. The price you pay for Adderall, including your out-of-pocket cost (the amount not covered by insurance that you’re responsible for paying), can vary. Your price is based on a few factors, including the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage (if you have it).

To learn more about the cost you’ll pay for your Adderall prescription, talk with your pharmacist, insurance provider, or doctor.

Adderall is available as the generic drug combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug and usually costs less.

To find out how the costs of Adderall and generic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can provide more details, such as your cost of generic Adderall without insurance.

If you’ve been prescribed Adderall and you’re interested in using the generic version instead, talk with your doctor. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider as it may cover only one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Adderall long term, you may be able to lower your cost by using a mail-order pharmacy. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. 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 help covering the cost of Adderall or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Adderall, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Adderall.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • What are my options if I can’t afford my Adderall prescription?
  • How does the cost of Adderall compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
  • Will my dosage of Adderall affect the cost?
  • How do costs for Adderall and Adderall XR compare?

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.