How Much Does Adderall Cost With and Without Insurance?
Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy that can become expensive without insurance coverage. Without insurance, a 30-day supply of brand-name Adderall XR (30mg) costs approximately $347, while brand-name Adderall IR (20mg, 60 tablets) averages around $814, according to SingleCare data. However, switching to generic versions can dramatically reduce costs to as little as $16-$30 per month with discount programs.
This article provides comprehensive, up-to-date information about Adderall costs, insurance coverage options, and strategies to reduce your expenses in 2025.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Adderall?
Several key factors determine how much you'll pay for Adderall:
Brand-Name vs. Generic
The difference between brand-name and generic Adderall is substantial:
| Formulation | Average Retail Price | Price With Discount Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Adderall IR (20mg, 60 tablets) | ~$814 | Varies by program |
| Brand Adderall XR (30mg, 30 capsules) | ~$347 | Varies by program |
| Generic Adderall IR (20mg, 60 tablets) | $89-$130 | As low as $16-$30 |
| Generic Adderall XR (30mg, 30 capsules) | ~$205 | As low as $25-$40 |
What This Means for You: Generic versions contain the same active ingredients as brand-name Adderall and meet the same FDA standards, but cost 80-90% less. Unless your doctor specifically indicates that you need the brand-name version, requesting the generic can save you hundreds of dollars monthly.
Immediate-Release vs. Extended-Release
Adderall comes in two primary formulations:
- Immediate-Release (IR): Effects typically last 4-6 hours, requiring multiple daily doses
- Extended-Release (XR): Effects typically last 10-12 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing
Extended-release formulations are generally more expensive than immediate-release versions but may offer greater convenience through once-daily dosing. According to the CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), pharmacies pay approximately $0.29 per pill for generic Adderall IR tablets and around $0.59 per capsule for generic XR before adding their markup.
Dosage Strength
Adderall is available in multiple dosage strengths:
- 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, 15mg, 20mg, and 30mg
Higher dosages typically cost more, though the price increase is often not proportional to the strength increase. For instance, a 30mg tablet might cost only slightly more than a 20mg tablet.
Pharmacy Choice
Pharmacy prices for identical Adderall prescriptions can vary dramatically. Based on current research from discount programs and consumer reports:
| Pharmacy | Generic IR Cash Price (60 tablets, 20mg) | Price With Discount Coupon |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy | ~$89 | ~$44 |
| Walgreens | ~$89 | ~$45 |
| Walmart | ~$116 | ~$60 |
| Kroger | ~$104 | ~$30 |
| Albertsons | ~$113 | ~$24 |
| Rite Aid | ~$130 | ~$26 |
| Costco | N/A | ~$13-$22 |
What This Means for You: Shopping around and using discount programs can reduce your costs by 50-80%. Costco pharmacies (which don't require membership for prescriptions) and grocery store pharmacies often offer the lowest prices with discount coupons.
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Talor graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Biobehavioral Health, and minors in Spanish and Diversity & Inclusion in May of 2022. She has a passion for health equity and diversity in health. In the future, Talor hopes to work in public health policy reform to help eliminate health disparities. She enjoys reading, cooking, and listening to podcasts in her free time.