How we rate drugs
Our drug ratings are based on comprehensive reviews of the scientific evidence by teams of medical experts.
Learn More
How are we doing? Take our survey

View all Best Buy Drug reports
Learn more about conditions treated with ADHD.

ADHD Drugs: Summary of Recommendations

The drugs usually prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are generally effective and safe. Most children and teenagers (60 percent to 80 percent) who take them become less hyperactive and impulsive, are better able to focus, and are less disruptive at home and school. However, there is no good evidence showing these benefits last for longer than two years.

Because diagnosis of the condition can be difficult, and a variety of medical and psychiatric disorders can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD, many children and teenagers taking these medicines may either not have ADHD or have only mild symptoms that do not require medication. Be sure to get a careful diagnosis from a physician or mental health professional with expertise in ADHD and a second opinion if you have doubts.

Adults with ADHD also appear to benefit from taking medication. But far fewer studies have examined the effectiveness of the medicines in this population.

Our analysis found no evidence that any ADHD drug is more effective than another.
Each raises different safety issues, however, and you should discuss them with your doctor. Dosing convenience (taking one pill a day instead of two or more; oral solutions for those who have difficulty swallowing tablets; or the use of a patch) and the period of time that a medicine is active in your body are critical elements of ADHD treatment.

  Taking into account the evidence for effectiveness, safety, dosing convenience, duration of action, and cost, we have chosen the following as Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs to treat ADHD:
  • Dextroamphetamine tablets
  • Dextroamphetamine sustained-release or long-acting tablets
  • Methylphenidate tablets (Methylin or generic) or liquid (Methylin solution)
  • Methylphenidate sustained-release tablets or capsules (10 mg—Methylin only [no generic available]; and 20 mg—generic or Methylin.) Note: If you need 30 mg or more, your options are limited to three significantly more expensive drugs—Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, or Concerta.

These four medicines are part of a class known as stimulants and have a long track record that shows they’re safe and effective. All four are also available in low- or moderate-cost generic or “branded” generic forms. Their monthly costs range from $10 to $60.

ADHD Drugs: Drug Comparison
CR Best Buy Generic Name and Dose1 Brand Name Drug is a Generic2 Frequency of Use Per Day3 Average Monthly Cost4 Compare Prices
  Amphetamine mixture 5 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $122 - $244
  Amphetamine mixture 5 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $36 - $72
  Amphetamine mixture 7.5 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $106 - $212
  Amphetamine mixture 7.5 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $47 - $945
  Amphetamine mixture 10 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $128 - $256
  Amphetamine mixture 10 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $32 - $64
  Amphetamine mixture 12.5 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $112 - $2245
  Amphetamine mixture 12.5 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $41 - $82
  Amphetamine mixture 15 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $112 - $224
  Amphetamine mixture 15 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $37 - $74
  Amphetamine mixture 20 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $115 - $230
  Amphetamine mixture 20 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $30 - $60
  Amphetamine mixture 30 mg tablet Adderall No One to Two $109 - $218
  Amphetamine mixture 30 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $29 - $58
  Amphetamine mixture 5 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $296
  Amphetamine mixture 5 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $208
  Amphetamine mixture 10 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $273
  Amphetamine mixture 10 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $209
  Amphetamine mixture 15 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $264
  Amphetamine mixture 15 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $207
  Amphetamine mixture 20 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $257
  Amphetamine mixture 20 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $201
  Amphetamine mixture 25 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $255
  Amphetamine mixture 25 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $206
  Amphetamine mixture 30 mg Continuous delivery capsule Adderall XR No One $245
  Amphetamine mixture 30 mg Continuous delivery capsule Generic BG One $198
  Atomoxetine 10 mg capsule Strattera No One $214
  Atomoxetine 18 mg capsule Strattera No One $217
  Atomoxetine 25 mg capsule Strattera No One $209
  Atomoxetine 40 mg capsule Strattera No One $212
  Atomoxetine 60 mg capsule Strattera No One $215
  Atomoxetine 80 mg capsule Strattera No One $238
  Atomoxetine 100 mg capsule Strattera No One $238
  Dextroamphetamine 5 mg tablet Dexedrine No One to Two $24 - $48
  Dextroamphetamine 5 mg tablet DextroStat BG One to Two Discontinued
Dextroamphetamine 5 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Two $10-$20
  Dextroamphetamine 10 mg tablet DextroStat BG One to Four Discontinued
Dextroamphetamine 10 mg tablet Generic Yes One to Four $15-$61
  Dextroamphetamine 5 mg Sustained release tablet Dexedrine No One $74
Dextroamphetamine 5 mg Sustained release tablet Generic Yes One $47
  Dextroamphetamine 10 mg Sustained release tablet Dexedrine No One $95
Dextroamphetamine 10 mg Sustained release tablet Generic Yes One $49
  Dextroamphetamine 15 mg Sustained release tablet Dexedrine No One $120
Dextroamphetamine 15 mg Sustained release tablet Generic Yes One $60
  Dexmethylphenidate 2.5 mg tablet Focalin No Two $66
  Dexmethylphenidate 5 mg tablet Focalin No Two $88
  Dexmethylphenidate 10 mg tablet Focalin No Two $118
  Dexmethylphenidate 2.5 mg tablet Generic Yes Two $46
  Dexmethylphenidate 5 mg tablet Generic Yes Two $64
  Dexmethylphenidate 10 mg tablet Generic Yes Two $84
  Dexmethylphenidate 5 mg Sustained release tablet Focalin XR No One $182
  Dexmethylphenidate 10 mg Sustained release tablet Focalin XR No One $180
  Dexmethylphenidate 15 mg Sustained release tablet Focalin XR No One $181
  Dexmethylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Focalin XR No One $185
  Lisdexamfetamine 20 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $178
  Lisdexamfetamine 30 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $174
  Lisdexamfetamine 40 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $172
  Lisdexamfetamine 50 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $172
  Lisdexamfetamine 60 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $172
  Lisdexamfetamine 70 mg capsule Vyvanse No One $169
  Methamphetamine 5 mg tablet Desoxyn No One to Five $146-$730
Methylphenidate 5 mg tablet Methylin BG Two $18
  Methylphenidate 5 mg tablet Ritalin No Two $64
Methylphenidate 5 mg tablet Generic Yes Two $20
Methylphenidate 10 mg tablet Methylin BG Two $26
  Methylphenidate 10 mg tablet Ritalin No Two $88
Methylphenidate 10 mg tablet Generic Yes Two $18
  Methylphenidate 20 mg tablet Ritalin No Two to Three $114 to $172
Methylphenidate 20 mg tablet Methylin BG Two to Three $36 - $55
Methylphenidate 20 mg tablet Generic Yes Two to Three $40 to $61
  Methylphenidate 10 mg Sustained release tablet Metadate ER BG One $48
Methylphenidate 10 mg Sustained release tablet Methylin ER BG One $32
  Methylphenidate 10 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $1605
  Methylphenidate 10 mg Sustained release capsule Ritalin LA No One $162
  Methylphenidate 18 mg Sustained release tablet Concerta No One $176
Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Methylphenidate ER Yes One $28
Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Methylphenidate SR Yes One $26
  Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Metadate ER BG One $37
Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Methylin ER BG One $30
  Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release tablet Ritalin SR No One $92
  Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $159
  Methylphenidate 20 mg Sustained release capsule Ritalin LA No One $153
  Methylphenidate 27mg Sustained release tablet Concerta No One $176
  Methylphenidate 30 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $159
  Methylphenidate 30 mg Sustained release capsule Ritalin LA No One $153
  Methylphenidate 36 mg Sustained release tablet Concerta No One $183
  Methylphenidate 40 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $214
  Methylphenidate 40 mg Sustained release capsule Ritalin LA No One $153
  Methylphenidate 50 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $255
  Methylphenidate 54 mg Sustained release tablet Concerta No One $201
  Methylphenidate 60 mg Sustained release capsule Metadate CD No One $275
  Methylphenidate 2.5 mg chewable tablet Methylin No Two $108
  Methylphenidate 5 mg chewable tablet Methylin No Two $186
  Methylphenidate 10 mg chewable tablet Methylin No Two to Six $216 to $651
Methylphenidate 5 mg/5 ml solution Methylin No Two $40
Methylphenidate 10 mg/5 ml solution Methylin No Two to Six $58 to $176
  Dextroamphetamine 5 mg/5 ml solution LiquADD6 No One to Eight $13 - $1045
  Dextroamphetamine 5 mg/5 ml solution ProCentra6 BG One to Eight $16 - $1285
  Methylphenidate 10 mg/9 hr patch Daytrana No One $231
  Methylphenidate 15 mg/9 hr patch Daytrana No One $217
  Methylphenidate 20 mg/9 hr patch Daytrana No One $222
  Methylphenidate 30 mg/9 hr patch Daytrana No One $205
1. Not all dose forms are listed. Higher doses, not generally or widely used in children, are not represented.

2. BG indicates that the drug is a "branded generic," a medicine that is generic but given a special name by its maker for marketing purposes.

3. As typically prescribed, but dosing varies with these drugs.

4. Monthly costs reflect national average retail prices for April 2009, rounded to the nearest dollar. Information derived by Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs from data provided by Wolters Kluwer health, Pharmaceutical Audit Suite, which is not involved in our analysis or recommendations.

5. Price is based on a low prescription volume of less than 20 prescriptions filled per month.

6. Due to a low prescription volume of less than 20 prescriptions in a month, these two drugs did not meet our Best Buy Drug selection criteria, despite having a seemingly lower price than similar formulations.

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs is a free public education project that provides free guidance on the safety, effectiveness and cost of drugs. Learn more