Adderall XR, Mydayis, Adderall

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Timothy Ivers, PharmD
Updated on May 6, 2024

Adderall is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It’s available in a generic version called dextroamphetamine/amphetamine. The cost of Adderall, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

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

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Cost of Adderall

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity you’re prescribed
• the drug form you’re prescribed

To find out how much Adderall 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  “Coupons for Adderall” section.

Coupons for Adderall

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Adderall. 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 Adderall

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 Adderall. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Adderall. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

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.

Brand names vs. generics

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

* Extended release means the drug is released slowly into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.
† Immediate release means the drug is released right away into your body after it’s taken.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what 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 Adderall, but you’re interested in dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all medications.

To learn how the cost of Adderall compares with its generic versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about Adderall and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Adderall.  

Does Adderall 20 mg cost less than Adderall 30 mg?

It’s possible. Both Adderall and Adderall XR come in various strengths, including 20 milligrams (mg) and 30 mg.

The strength you use, as well as the drug form, may affect the cost of your prescription. It’ll depend on your insurance coverage and copay requirements, too, if you have insurance coverage.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for Adderall, contact your insurance provider or pharmacy. 

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 patent and 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 ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients 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 or pharmacist.

What to ask about Adderall

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

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:

• What are my options if I can’t afford Adderall?
• Will my dosage of Adderall affect the drug’s cost?
• Is Adderall covered by my insurance?

Resources

• Adderall CII (dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate tablets). (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/011522s045lbl.pdf
• Adderall XR (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product) extended-release capsules, for oral use, CII. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021303s038lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   

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.