How To Reduce Adderall Prescription Cost

Take Control of Your Adderall Prescription Expenses  

Are you, your children, or grandchildren among the millions of Americans that use Adderall for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Does anyone in your family use Adderall for narcolepsy? If yes, you know that the cost of this medication can make a big dent in your budget.

Fortunately, it is in your power to reduce your family’s expenditure on Adderall medication, even if you don’t have medical insurance.

In this article, you will find easy ways to reduce the cost of an Adderall prescription. 

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a combination of two drugs—amphetamine and dextroamphetamine—that stimulate the central nervous system and improve concentration. 

There are two forms of Adderall medication—Adderall XR and Adderall IR.

Adderall tablets, sometimes called Adderall IR, are an immediate-release form of the drug that can treat symptoms for five to eight hours.

Adderall XR are extended-release capsules that last for 10 to 12 hours.

Both forms come in a range of strengths, from 5 mg to 30 mg. 

Adderall is typically taken one to three times a day. Your doctor will prescribe the type of medication, the strength, and dosage. Typically, physicians begin with a low dosage when prescribing this medication.

Adderall is a brand name, but there are also generic versions that contain amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. All of them are prescription medications. You need a written instruction from your doctor to buy them. 

What Is Adderall Prescribed for?

Adderall is a stimulant. It increases the levels of some natural substances in the brain. Adderall is prescribed for treating ADHD and narcolepsy.

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is the most common mental disorder among American children between 2 and 17 years old. The main symptoms are inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Children with ADHD have trouble sitting still and completing tasks. They often act out and can be aggressive. Some children outgrow ADHD, but this disorder can affect adults, too. Adderall is prescribed to treat ADHD in children and adults. It helps them to calm down and concentrate.

• Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that can occur at any time in life. It is estimated that between 135,000 and 200,000 Americans have narcolepsy, but this disorder often goes undiagnosed. People with narcolepsy can suddenly become limp or fall asleep, even when they are in the middle of talking, eating, or driving. Adderall treats narcolepsy by helping patients stay awake for longer during the day.  

Adderall Side Effects

A side effect is an unwanted reaction to medical treatment. All medications can have side effects, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies.

Many people take Adderall without experiencing any problems, but it is important to be aware of possible issues.

• Common Adderall side effects include raised blood pressure, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, fever, nervousness, trouble sleeping, and more. 

• Serious Adderall side effects include mood and behavior changes, confusion, uncontrolled movements, coldness or numbness in the fingers or toes, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe headaches, weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, fainting, chest pain,blurred vision, seizures, swelling of the ankles or feet, extreme tiredness, and more. 

• Allergic reaction to Adderall is rare, but very serious. Symptoms include rash, itching, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of the face, tongue, or throat. 

Remember to follow professional medical advice when taking Adderall. Inform your doctor of any adverse effects you experience and seek medical help right away if you have any serious side effects or allergic reactions.

Why Is Adderall a Controlled Medication?

Stimulants like Adderall are controlled substances because they can cause dependency and addiction.

People who take larger doses of stimulants than prescribed, and people who take stimulants without really needing them, are more likely to become addicted.

Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of prescription stimulants such as Adderall before taking them.

Are Adderall Prescriptions Covered by Insurance?

This question can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. It all depends on the type of health insurance you have.

Your insurance may cover Adderall IR and Adderall XR, as long as the medication is considered medically necessary to manage your overall health.

On the other hand, your health plan may not cover the brand name Adderall at all. Or it may cover it with a co-payment. 

• Co-payment is a fixed amount that an insured person pays when buying prescription drugs or receiving medical treatments. The amount varies for different services within the same plan.

Some health plans will cover the cost of Adderall during your stay in a hospital or nursing facility, but not after you leave.

Make sure to check with your medical insurance provider to find out whether and how much you will need to pay out of pocket.

Generic versions of Adderall for treating ADHD are generally covered by health insurance.

How Much Does Adderall Cost without Insurance?

If you have to take Adderall without insurance, the cost will be high.

The price of the brand-name prescription medication Adderall varies depending on the dosage strength and the type of the medication (immediate or extended-release). The cost of this and other drugs also depends on where you live and which pharmacy you go to. 

On average, 30 Adderall IR tablets of 7.5 mg dosage strength cost about $265, while 30 tablets of 20 mg strength cost about $285.

How to Reduce the Cost of Your Adderall Prescription

If you don’t have health insurance or if you are underinsured, there are several ways to lower the cost of your Adderall prescription.

The following suggestions will go a long way to ease your monthly Adderall bill:

• Ask your doctor whether the extended-release form (Adderall XR) is suitable for you. Although the Adderall extended-release capsules are more expensive than the immediate-release tablets, you need to take only one capsule per day. This may work out cheaper than, for example, taking three Adderall tablets per day. 

• Change medications. Talk to your doctor to find out whether you can save money by taking an alternative medication. There are many brand-name drugs that treat ADHD and/or narcolepsy, such as Focalin, Norpramin, Mydayis, Ritalin, and so on. Some are cheaper than Adderall, but others are even more expensive. 

• Get a generic version of the drug. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name ones, but can be much cheaper. Generic drugs are safe. They go through the same testing and approval process as their brand-name counterparts and are a great option for saving money on medication prescriptions. Just like Adderall, a number of generic medications for treating ADHD contain the amphetamine-dextroamphetamine combination.

• Use a free drug discount card like an Rx Card. PolicyScout has negotiated discounted prices at 35,000 pharmacies nationally, including Walmart pharmacy, Costco, Kroger, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and many more. With the PolicyScout free Rx Discount Card, you can save up to $95 on each prescription. You will also be able to search for the lowest prices at pharmacies near you on the Rx Card page.

• Look for a patient assistance program (PAP) that helps people who cannot afford medications. Patient assistance programs may either cover the full cost of medications, or provide a discount. The benefits vary from program to program, as do eligibility requirements. 

• Check the Internet for Adderall rebates, coupons, savings cards, or vouchers that help lower the cost of medications. 

• Check the manufacturer’s website to see whether they offer co-pay cards for Adderall to save on out-of-pocket costs. 

• Shop around. Prices of Adderall can differ widely from pharmacy to pharmacy.

• Ask your doctor to give you a prescription for several months. You will pay more up front, but larger refills can reduce the cost per pill.

Key Takeaways

Adderall is a brand-name stimulant prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

All stimulants are controlled substances because they carry a risk of dependency and addiction. Medications containing stimulants can be bought on prescription and must be used as directed by your health care provider.

If you don’t have health insurance, or if your plan does not cover brand-name prescription medication, your Adderall expenses can be rather high. However, there are many different ways to reduce the cost of ADHD medication such as Adderall. 

Ask your doctor about generic Adderall options and other drugs that treat ADHD and/or narcolepsy.

Look for a patient assistance program in your area and search the Internet to see if there are any rebates, coupons, vouchers, or co-pay cards for your prescribed medication. Also be sure to shop around, because medication prices can vary a lot from pharmacy to pharmacy. 

Remember to claim your free Rx Discount Card in order to save on prescription medication. With your Rx Card in hand, you can save up to $95 per prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Who is at risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

ADHD has a strong genetic link. If someone in a child’s family has ADHD, that child is at higher risk of developing ADHD than a child whose family does not have a similar history. Other risk factors include pregnancy and birth complications, substance use during pregnancy (alcohol, drugs, tobacco), and exposure to environmental toxins such as lead at a young age.

How can I save money on ADHD medication?

Ask your medical care professional about generic medication, which is usually much cheaper than brand-name drugs. Shop around for the best deals, and have your Rx Card ready to claim your discount at 35,000 pharmacies nationwide.

How much does a month of Adderall cost without insurance?

The price of Adderall varies widely from pharmacy to pharmacy. The cost also depends on the form of the medication (immediate or extended release), the strength of the tablets or capsules, as well as the dosage prescribed by your doctor. If you do not have medical insurance, you can expect to spend anywhere between about $200 to over $800 on your Adderall prescription per month.

Is Adderall addictive?

Not everyone who uses Adderall develops an addiction. People who regularly take Adderall at unprescribed doses are at risk of becoming addicted. This risk is especially high among people who do not even suffer from ADHD or narcolepsy, but still take Adderall. Always use Adderall and other ADHD medications as your doctor prescribed.

Get your Rx Discount Card now and start saving on prescription medication.

You can reach us at 1-888-912-2132 or send an email to Help@PolicyScout.com to get assistance from one of our trained consultants about your options.