Is a Concerta generic available?

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Concerta?
• What are the differences between brand name and generic Concerta?
• How much is generic Concerta?
• Is Concerta covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Concerta

In this article

• Is there a generic for Concerta?
• What are the differences between brand name and generic Concerta?
• How much is generic Concerta?
• Is Concerta covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Concerta

Concerta (methylphenidate HCl, extended release) is a central nervous system stimulant (CNS) that’s FDA-approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people aged six and up to age 65. It can improve focus while decreasing symptoms of ADHD, like impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Concerta may also be used for the treatment of narcolepsy. Concerta is considered a Schedule II federally controlled substance (CII) because it can potentially be abused.

If you are taking Concerta, you might want to know if there is a less expensive generic version of Concerta. The answer is that Concerta generics are on the market, but the options currently available don’t work exactly the same as brand-name Concerta.

Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Concerta generic, including its effectiveness, pricing, insurance coverage, and more.

Is there a generic for Concerta? 

Yes, there is a generic for Concerta, referred to as methylphenidate HCl. However, the generics currently available aren’t exactly the same as brand-name Concerta.

Most of the time, generic versions of medication are identical or nearly identical to brand names. But it’s also important to understand that there are two categories of generic drugs: authorized generics and true generics. 

“An authorized generic is a generic in name only, as they are actually the brand medication that has been negotiated by the original manufacturer for a lower price shortly before the original patent expires,” explains Tiffany Smith Gishizky, DNP, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Mindpath. On the other hand, a true generic is the version that’s created by several different manufacturers when the original medication’s patent expires.

Currently, the only generic Concerta on the market is a true generic version, which means that it isn’t 100% identical to brand-name Concerta. According to Gishizky, the authorized generic version of Concerta was discontinued in January 2024.

What are the differences between brand name and generic Concerta?

While the active ingredients of currently available generic Concerta are the same as brand-name Concerta, the way the medication is delivered is different. This is the main difference between the brand-name Concerta and the generic versions that are currently available.

“The original Concerta employs a unique osmotic-controlled release system that reliably delivers medication over 10-12 hours,” explains Kiara DeWitt, RN, CPN, a practicing pediatric neurology nurse and founder and CEO of Injectco. The system is referred to as the OROS osmotic technology delivery system. However, the generic Concerta on shelves right now use different release mechanisms, DeWitt explains.

In addition to these differences, Concerta generic may use different inactive ingredients. “The pharmaceutical company will match the active ingredient per the original formulation,” Gishizky describes. “However, they may use different non-active ingredients such as dyes, binders (what holds the medication together), fill materials, and preservatives.”

Side effects and effectiveness

“Generics typically rely on simpler matrix-based technologies, potentially leading to uneven symptom control, bursts of effectiveness, or rapid drop-offs,” DeWitt says. As such, many people notice different side effects when using the generic versions of Concerta, such as uneven spikes in appetite suppression or increased mood swings, DeWitt explains.

Sometimes patients report that generic Concerta is also less effective than branded Concerta. “This is a common issue I see in practice,” says Luke Barr, MD, neurologist and chief medical officer at SensIQ. Again, it has to do with the variations in delivery systems and the inability of some generics to replicate brand-name Concerta’s delivery system. “As a result of these differences, I’ve had patients report that the generic versions feel either less effective or have a different onset and duration profile,” Dr. Barr shares.

But it’s not just about overall effectiveness, Dr. Barr says. “Some patients experience more fluctuations in focus, energy, or side effects like irritability or appetite suppression when switching to a generic,” he says. “In certain cases, I’ve had to specifically request the brand-name version due to tolerability or performance issues.”

Dosing

Generic Concerta, methylphenidate HCl, extended release tablets come in the following strengths tablets:

• 18 mg
• 27 mg
• 36 mg
• 54 mg

Your health care provider will help you find the right dose and dosing schedule, but generally, generic Concerta is taken once daily. For children at least 6 years of age through adolescence, the daily dose should not exceed 54 mg. For teens and adults, the daily dose should not exceed 72 mg.

Here’s what else to know about Generic Concerta, as per DailyMed at the National Library of Medicine. 

	Concerta ([methylphenidate, extended release])
Uses	ADHD (first-line treatment) Narcolepsy (second-line treatment)
Standard dosage	Between 18 mg to 72 mg
Common side effects	Upper abdominal pain Lowered appetite Dry mouth Nausea Headache Trouble sleeping Anxiety Dizziness Weight loss Mood swings Excessive sweating
Contraindications	Don’t take if you are hypersensitive or allergic to methylphenidate or other product ingredients Don’t take if you take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
Other considerations	Concerta generic has a high potential for abuse, so shouldn’t be taken by people with substance use disorders

 How much is generic Concerta?

The price of generic Concerta varies from one generic manufacturer to another. “Cost for generic Concerta varies a ton, and I mean it,” DeWitt says. “Some pharmacies will ring up a 30-day supply for $50 with a discount card, while others could run over $200 cash price without insurance.”

For example, the generic Concerta costs approximately $226 for 30, 36 mg tablets. However, if you use a SingleCare discount card, you can pay as little as $35 for 30, 36 mg tablets.

On the other hand, Concerta costs about $643 for 30, 36 mg tablets. Using a SingleCare coupon can decrease the price to around $35 for 30, 36 mg tablets.  

Brand vs. generic Concerta prices
	Brand-name Concerta	Concerta generic
Average cost without insurance	$643.08 for 30, 36 mg tablets of Concerta	$226.62 for 30, 36 mg tablets of generic Concerta
SingleCare’s lowest price	$35.64 for 30, 36 mg tablets of Concerta	$35.64 for 30, 36 mg tablets of generic Concerta
Free coupons	Concerta coupons	Generic Concerta coupons

Is Concerta covered by insurance?

Whether Concerta is covered by insurance depends on your plan. While some plans will cover brand-name Concerta, some will be more likely to cover generic Concerta, due to its lower cost.

“Most insurance plans cover the generic, though some may require prior authorization for the brand name if patients have trouble with the generic,” says Dr. Barr. “I’ve also had patients use discount programs or cash-pay apps when coverage is inconsistent.”

Generic alternatives to Concerta 

If you are having unwanted side effects or if you are finding that generic Concerta works less effectively than brand-name Concerta, you should talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You may be able to try brand-name Concerta. But if that doesn’t work for you, or if your health insurance doesn’t cover it, you might want to consider alternatives to Concerta.

Alternatives to Concerta include:

• Adderall XR (mixed amphetamine salts, extended-release)
• Daytrana (extended-release methylphenidate)
• Intuniv (guanfacine extended-release)
• Ritalin (immediate-release methylphenidate)
• Kapvay (clonidine extended-release)
• Strattera (atomoxetine)

If you are looking for a generic alternative to Concerta, there are several options to consider. “I have noticed generics like methylphenidate ER capsules (from Actavis or Sandoz) generally maintain steadier release patterns, offering fewer abrupt shifts in mood or attention span,” she says. “So, if Concerta generics fail, alternatives using capsule-based technologies (though generics) often achieve closer parity with original brands, making them viable fallback options.”

Gishizky says that if you have generally responded well to branded Concerta, but are finding the generic versions not as effective, you have a couple of options. “I would likely have the patient trial a generic of Focalin XR, a cousin to Concerta in terms of stimulant category, and as this medication does not rely on a proprietary drug delivery system like Concerta, the generic is much more of a bioequivalent to the brand,” she recommends.

Importantly, which Concerta alternative to pick is an individual decision, based on your personal health profile, and should always be discussed with your health care provider or pharmacist. “I always base my recommendation on the individual’s response, side effect tolerance, and how their day is structured—since not all extended-release formulations cover the same duration,” Dr. Barr shares.