Why Medication Cost Matters for Adherence

As a prescriber, you already know that the best treatment plan in the world doesn't work if your patient can't afford to fill the prescription. For patients taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR — the generic form of Adderall — cost can be a real barrier to consistent treatment, especially for those without insurance or with high-deductible plans.

When patients skip doses, stretch prescriptions, or abandon treatment altogether because of cost, clinical outcomes suffer. ADHD medication non-adherence is associated with worsened symptoms, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. A few minutes spent discussing cost-saving options during the clinical encounter can meaningfully improve adherence and outcomes.

This guide outlines the savings programs, discount tools, and strategies available for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR — so you can help your patients access the treatment they need.

What Patients Are Paying

Understanding the current pricing landscape helps frame the conversation:

• Generic amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR with a discount coupon: $14 to $50 for a 30-day supply
• Generic without a coupon or insurance: Approximately $50 at average retail prices
• Brand-name Adderall IR (largely discontinued): $300 to $815 for a 30-day supply
• With commercial insurance: Typically covered as a preferred generic with a $0-$25 copay, though prior authorization and quantity limits are common
• Medicare Part D: Covered as a generic; copays vary by plan tier

The good news: generic amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR is one of the more affordable stimulant medications on the market. But even $30-$50/month can be a hardship for patients on fixed incomes, those between jobs, or those with high-deductible plans early in the year.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Unlike many brand-name medications, there is no active manufacturer savings program or copay card specifically for generic amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR. This is typical for mature generics with multiple manufacturers.

However, it's worth noting:

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (the largest generic manufacturer) offers a patient assistance program for qualifying low-income, uninsured patients. Eligibility typically requires household income below 200-400% of the federal poverty level and no prescription insurance coverage.
• Other generic manufacturers (Sandoz, Mallinckrodt/Endo, Lannett, Amneal) may have their own assistance programs — though these are less well-publicized. Check manufacturer websites or RxAssist (rxassist.org) for current offerings.

Coupon and Discount Cards

Pharmacy discount cards and coupon platforms are often the fastest way to reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients paying cash. These are free to use and accepted at most major pharmacy chains:

Top Options for Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine IR

• GoodRx — Consistently shows prices as low as $14-$17 for a 30-day supply of generic IR at major pharmacies. Patients can print coupons or show them on their phone at the pharmacy counter.
• SingleCare — Similar pricing; accepted at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and others.
• RxSaver — Compares prices across pharmacies and provides printable or digital coupons.
• Optum Perks — Another discount platform with competitive pricing.
• BuzzRx, Inside Rx, America's Pharmacy — Additional options worth comparing.

A practical tip: prices vary significantly by pharmacy, even within the same zip code. Encourage patients to compare prices across 2-3 pharmacies. Independent pharmacies sometimes offer better cash prices than chains for generic controlled substances.

Important note: Discount cards cannot be combined with insurance. Patients should use whichever option gives them the lower price. For many generic medications, the cash price with a coupon can actually be lower than the insurance copay — especially early in the year before deductibles are met.

For a patient-facing version of this information, you can direct patients to our guide: How to Save Money on Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine IR.

Generic Alternatives and Therapeutic Substitution

If a patient is struggling with cost or availability of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR, consider whether a therapeutic substitution might be appropriate:

Within the Amphetamine Class

• Dextroamphetamine IR (generic Dexedrine/Zenzedi) — Similar mechanism; single-entity amphetamine. May be priced comparably or differently depending on the pharmacy.
• Lisdexamfetamine (generic Vyvanse) — Generic became available in 2023. As a prodrug with once-daily dosing and lower abuse potential, it's an attractive option. Generic pricing has come down significantly since launch, though it remains more expensive than generic IR amphetamine salts.

Different Stimulant Class

• Methylphenidate IR (generic Ritalin) — A first-line alternative from a different stimulant class. Generic pricing is comparable to amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR.
• Methylphenidate ER (generic Concerta) — Once-daily dosing. Multiple generic options available.

Therapeutic substitution can also address the ongoing shortage of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR. If a patient consistently can't fill their prescription, switching to a medication with better availability may be more practical than continuing to chase down stock. See our provider's guide to finding amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR in stock for more strategies.

Patient Assistance Programs for Uninsured Patients

For patients who are uninsured or significantly underinsured, several resources can help:

• NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — Comprehensive database of patient assistance programs, discount drug cards, and disease-specific assistance
• RxAssist (rxassist.org) — Searchable database of pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs
• RxHope (rxhope.com) — Connects patients with manufacturer assistance programs
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) — Many states offer drug discount or coverage programs for qualifying residents. Coverage varies by state.
• 340B pharmacies — Patients who receive care at federally qualified health centers, certain hospitals, or other 340B-eligible entities may be able to access medications at significantly reduced prices through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Building Cost Conversations into Your Workflow

Research consistently shows that patients want their providers to discuss medication cost — but most providers don't routinely bring it up. Here are practical ways to integrate cost discussions into your practice:

At the Prescribing Decision Point

• Ask about insurance status and coverage. A simple "Do you have prescription drug coverage?" can prevent a prescription from going unfilled.
• Default to generic. Always prescribe generic amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR unless there's a clinical reason to use a brand product.
• Discuss cost upfront. "This medication typically costs $14-$50 per month with a discount card. Is that manageable for you?"
• Mention discount cards proactively. Many patients don't know these exist. A brief mention — "If you're paying out of pocket, GoodRx or SingleCare can get this under $20" — can make the difference between a filled and abandoned prescription.

At Follow-Up Visits

• Ask about adherence barriers. "Have you been able to fill your prescription every month?" is a better question than "Are you taking your medication?"
• Revisit cost if circumstances change. Job loss, insurance changes, or high-deductible plan resets can suddenly make a previously affordable medication a hardship.
• Document cost discussions. A brief note in the chart helps track the issue and demonstrates comprehensive care.

Leverage Your Support Staff

• Train medical assistants or care coordinators to hand out printed discount card information
• Keep a list of local 340B pharmacies and community resources available for reference
• Consider partnering with a clinical pharmacist for complex cases involving multiple medications and cost concerns

Helping Patients Find the Medication

Cost isn't the only barrier — availability matters too. With the ongoing shortage of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR, some patients can't find it in stock even when they can afford it. Medfinder for Providers offers tools to help your patients locate pharmacies that currently have their medication in stock, reducing the burden on your staff and your patients.

Final Thoughts

Generic amphetamine/dextroamphetamine IR is relatively affordable compared to many ADHD medications, but "affordable" is relative. For patients paying cash, a $50/month medication adds up — and even small cost barriers can derail adherence.

The tools exist to bring costs down to $14-$20/month for most patients. The challenge is making sure patients know about them. By proactively discussing cost, recommending discount platforms, and connecting uninsured patients with assistance programs, you can remove one of the most common — and most preventable — barriers to effective ADHD treatment.

For more provider resources, visit Medfinder for Providers.