{"id":3102,"date":"2018-08-28T22:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T02:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=3102"},"modified":"2026-05-05T13:03:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T17:03:50","slug":"concerta-vs-adderall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/concerta-vs-adderall\/","title":{"rendered":"Concerta vs. Adderall: Differences & similarities explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concerta<\/span><\/a> (methylphenidate hydrochloride) and <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) are prescription stimulant medications used to treat attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that affects focus, impulse control, and activity levels. Both are Schedule II controlled substances, meaning they carry a high potential for abuse and dependence under federal drug regulations. While they share similarities, they differ in active ingredients, how they’re prescribed, duration of effect, side effects, and cost.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 Compare Concerta vs. Adderall key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Details<\/b><\/td>\nConcerta<\/b><\/td>\nAdderall<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nCentral nervous system (CNS) stimulant<\/span><\/td>\nCNS stimulant<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nMethylphenidate hydrochloride extended release (ER)<\/span><\/td>\nAmphetamine-dextroamphetamine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nExtended-release tablet<\/span><\/td>\nTablet (Adderall IR), long-acting capsule (Adderall XR)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children 13 and older: 18\u201372 mg once daily<\/span><\/p>\n

Children 6\u201312: 18\u201354 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n

Adderall IR:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Adults and children 6 and older: 5-40 mg daily (once or divided)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Children 3\u20135: 2.5\u201340 mg daily (not first-line treatment option)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Adderall XR:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Adults: 20 mg daily, adjusted based on response<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Children 6 and over: 5-10 mg daily, adjusted based on response<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children ages 6 and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdderall IR: <\/span>Adults and children ages 3 and older<\/span><\/p>\n

Adderall XR: Adults and children ages 6 and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Concerta<\/span><\/a> is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years and older. <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> is approved to treat ADHD in adults and children 3 years and older, as well as narcolepsy in adults and children 6 years and older. <\/span>Concerta may be used off-label<\/span><\/a> for symptoms related to cancer, depression, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease, while Adderall has been explored for <\/span>stroke recovery<\/span><\/a>. Both may also be used off-label to support cognitive performance and memory.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 Compare Concerta vs. Adderall conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nConcerta<\/b><\/td>\nAdderall<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ADHD<\/b><\/td>\nApproved<\/span><\/td>\nApproved<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Narcolepsy<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/p>\n

(Generic methylphenidate IR is approved for narcolepsy)<\/span><\/td>\n

Approved<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cancer-related fatigue<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Refractory depression in older adults<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enhancing memory<\/b><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symptoms of stroke<\/b><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Is Adderall better than Concerta?<\/span><\/h2>\n

For adults and children 6 years and older, <\/span>stimulant medications<\/span><\/a> are the first-line choice for medication therapy after behavioral therapy. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and American Psychiatric Association (APA), about <\/span>three-quarters of children with ADHD<\/span><\/a> experience a reduction in symptoms when taking a stimulant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Concerta and Adderall have been shown to effectively reduce ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults. Earlier studies found <\/span>little difference between medications<\/span><\/a> in children and adolescents. However, <\/span>A 2018 review<\/span><\/a> suggested methylphenidate (Concerta) may be more effective for children and adolescents, while amphetamines like Adderall may work better for adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare providers stress the importance of individualized care: \u201cA properly trained provider, especially a child and adolescent psychiatrist, will integrate evidence, guidelines, and family preferences when deciding whether to use Adderall, Concerta, or another option,\u201d says <\/span>Zishan Khan<\/span><\/a>, MD, psychiatrist at Mindpath Health in Frisco, Texas. \u201cThe response is highly individual. Someone who does beautifully on one may do poorly on the other, so some trial and adjustment is expected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How do Concerta and Adderall feel different?<\/span><\/h2>\n

How each drug works in the brain also differs, which can affect how patients experience them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdderall tends to increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, so it often feels a bit more activating. Patients will sometimes say it helps them with motivation and getting started,\u201d says <\/span>Lisa George<\/span><\/a>, NP, psychiatric and family health nurse practitioner and founder and CEO of <\/span>Talk Tribeca<\/span><\/a> in New York City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Concerta works more by blocking reuptake of those same neurotransmitters, so it can feel a little smoother or more even. I often describe it as helping with focus without as much of that push or intensity,\u201d George explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long do Concerta and Adderall last?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The two medications also differ in <\/span>how long they last<\/span><\/a>. Concerta is an extended-release medication that can last up to 14 hours in some patients, making it useful for all-day symptom control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adderall is available in immediate-release (IR) tablets that <\/span>last about four to six hours and extended-release (XR) capsules that last about eight to 12 hours<\/span><\/a>. It may have a more noticeable peak and drop-off compared with Concerta\u2019s smoother profile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concerta vs. Adderall: Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

Insurance coverage for Concerta and <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> varies by plan. Because both medications have generic versions, insurers are more likely to cover the lower-cost generics than the brand-name drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Private insurance may cover both medications, sometimes with restrictions like <\/span>prior authorization<\/span><\/a>. For example, some OptumRx plans do not cover brand-name Concerta, but list generic methylphenidate as a Tier 2 medication with prior authorization. Similarly, most Medicare and Medicaid plans cover <\/span>generic Concerta<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> but not the brand-name medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without insurance, Concerta costs around $637 for 30, 36 mg tablets, while Adderall costs about $889 for 60, 20 mg tablets. Prices can vary depending on the pharmacy, dosage, and any discounts applied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a SingleCare coupon may lower the price of generic Concerta to about $40 and generic Adderall to about $27. Coupons are free to use and can be applied at most retail pharmacies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0Compare Concerta vs. Adderall cost & coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Cost factor<\/b><\/td>\nConcerta<\/b><\/td>\nAdderall<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nNo (unless generic)<\/span><\/td>\nNo (unless generic)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nNo (unless generic)<\/span><\/td>\nNo (unless generic)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicaid?<\/b><\/td>\nGeneric version mostly<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric version mostly<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$40 per 30, 36 mg tablets of generic Concerta at CVS<\/span><\/td>\n$27 per 60, 20 mg tablets of generic Adderall at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How to save<\/b><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

RELATED: <\/b>ADHD financial assistance & resources<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Concerta vs. Adderall side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both contain different active ingredients, but share many similar side effects and risks. Common <\/span>side effects of Concerta<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n