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What is Adderall? | Adderall dosages | Is Adderall covered by insurance? | How much does Adderall cost without insurance? | Cost comparison | Side effects | How to get Adderall without insurance
All medication prices vary based on many factors, like whether it is a brand-name or generic drug, insurance coverage, and drug formularies. Adderall is no different. Those who are prescribed this ADHD medication often ask: How much is Adderall without insurance? Find out how to save money on Adderall without insurance in the guide below.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a combination drug containing amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (also called amphetamine salt combo, or mixed amphetamine salts). Adderall is a brand-name drug, but it’s also available in a generic form. Patients must have a prescription to purchase Adderall or its generic version.
This prescription stimulant drug is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It can be habit-forming and is sometimes used recreationally, so it is a highly controlled substance.
“Adderall is a medication that increases dopamine,” explains Timothy Legg, PsyD, a faculty member for Walden University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, with over 20 years of experience providing mental health care to patients. “It does the same for the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which results in an overall enhancement of the effects of both dopamine and norepinephrine. By enhancing dopamine and norepinephrine action in certain brain regions, attention, concentration, executive function, and wakefulness are enhanced.”
RELATED: What is Adderall?
Adderall dosages
Adderall is available in either immediate-release (IR) tablets or extended-release (XR) capsule formulations.
| Prescribed use | Administration route | Initial dosage |
| ADHD in adults | Oral tablet (Adderall) or capsule (Adderall XR) |
|
| ADHD in children aged 3-17 | Oral tablet (Adderall) | 2.5 mg tablet daily in the morning (ages 3 to 5 years); 5 mg tablet daily in the morning or 5 mg twice daily (ages 6 years and older) |
| ADHD in children aged 6-17 | Oral capsule (Adderall XR) | 5 to 10 mg capsule daily in the morning (ages 6-12 years); 10 mg capsule daily in the morning (ages 13-17 years) |
| Narcolepsy in adults | Oral tablet (Adderall) | 10 mg tablet daily in the morning |
| Narcolepsy in children and adolescents | Oral tablet (Adderall) | 5 mg tablet daily in the morning (ages 6 to 11 years); 10 mg tablet daily in the morning (ages 12 years and older) |
Doctors may increase Adderall dosages in 5 to 10 mg increments weekly until they find an optimal dosage. Dosages rarely exceed 40 mg per day. Dosing varies.
Is Adderall covered by insurance?
Generic versions of Adderall are generally covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans. Brand-name Adderall is usually not covered by Medicare prescription plans. Insurance plans generally do not cover brand-name Adderall, or may cover it with a higher copay. In some cases, a prior authorization is needed—this means that the healthcare professional must provide the insurance company with additional information as to why the medication is needed, then the insurance company decides if it will be covered on a case-by-case basis.
Adderall XR often has the same coverage as Adderall—the generic medication is usually covered by insurance, and the brand-name Adderall XR may or may not be covered. Medicare prescription plans generally do not cover brand-name Adderall XR. Regardless of which version (immediate-release or extended-release, brand or generic) is prescribed, the price will vary based on the insurance plan or Medicare prescription plan.
How much does Adderall cost without insurance?
Adderall costs depend on several factors like the dosage, drug formulation (Adderall XR or IR), generic or brand name, and whether the patient has health insurance.
Adderall without insurance costs nearly $11 per tablet, or $337 per month for 30, 20 mg tablets. Fortunately, generic drugs are typically much more affordable than their brand-name counterparts. The same amount of generic Adderall costs less than $8 with a SingleCare coupon.
You can always reach out to your insurance company to obtain up-to-date coverage information, or ask your pharmacist to process your prescription. You can also ask your pharmacist to compare your price with insurance or your Medicare prescription plan with a SingleCare card. The SingleCare card is free to use and can save up to 80% on the cost of your prescription medications.
Given the variation in Adderall costs, patients should speak to their doctor about their options, especially if they’re uninsured or have a high insurance copay. Doctors may recommend a cheaper alternative to Adderall such as the following treatment options:
Compare Adderall prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Focalin (dexmethylphenidate) | $120 per 60, 10 mg tablets | $17 per 60, 10 mg tablets of generic dexmethylphenidate | See updated prices |
| Intuniv
(guanfacine extended-release) |
$350 for 30, 2 mg tablets | $10 for 30, 2 mg tablets of generic guanfacine ER | See updated prices |
| Kapvay
(clonidine extended-release) |
$576 for 30, 0.1 mg tablets | $9 for 30, 0.1 mg tablets of generic clonidine ER | See updated prices |
| Ritalin (methylphenidate) | $175 for 60, 10 mg tablets | $8 for 60, 10 mg tablets of generic methylphenidate | See updated prices |
| Strattera (atomoxetine) | $535 for 30, 40 mg capsules | $22 for 30, 40 mg capsules of generic atomoxetine | See updated prices |
| Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) | $486 for 30, 70 mg capsules | $349 for 30, 70 mg capsules of brand-name Vyvanse | See updated prices |
RELATED: Vyvanse vs. Adderall
Adderall side effects
Regardless of whether someone takes Adderall for ADHD or narcolepsy, there is a risk of experiencing adverse effects. Some common side effects of Adderall include:
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Changes in libido
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Headache
- Appetite and weight loss
- Stomach issues—diarrhea, constipation, nausea
How to get Adderall without insurance
There are a few ways people can save on Adderall or comparable ADHD medications. Here are a few options to reduce the cost of Adderall:
1. Go generic
Uninsured pharmacy customers could save hundreds of dollars by opting for generic Adderall. Ask a pharmacist if amphetamine-dextroamphetamine is available.
2. Use a SingleCare savings card
One way for pharmacy customers to save up to 80% on prescription medicines is by using a SingleCare savings card or coupons. SingleCare users can search for Adderall or its generic on the singlecare.com website and show the coupon to a pharmacist when filling their prescription at a participating pharmacy. SingleCare can be used by anyone in the United States with a valid prescription. There are no other eligibility requirements or enrollment fees.
RELATED: Where can I use my SingleCare card?
3. Change medications
As always, patients can speak with their healthcare provider for medical advice about changing to a different medication to treat their ADHD or narcolepsy. Other medications may be available and a better fit for their health and their wallet.
4. Treat other conditions if necessary
Talk to the healthcare provider about treating other conditions, if needed. For example, if the patient experiences anxiety, anxiety treatment can help decrease the amount of Adderall medication that is needed. Another example is with children in school—ensuring the proper educational and behavioral support is in place can also lead to lower doses of ADHD medication, which can lower costs.
