Helping Patients Navigate the Cost of Daytrana and ADHD Medications

For providers who treat ADHD, medication cost is one of the most common barriers to adherence. Daytrana (methylphenidate transdermal system) was always one of the more expensive ADHD options, and with its discontinuation by Noven Pharmaceuticals, the landscape has shifted significantly. Yet many of the cost challenges — and cost solutions — that applied to Daytrana extend to the ADHD medications your patients are transitioning to.

This guide covers what your patients are paying, available savings programs, how to discuss costs effectively, and strategies for ensuring affordability doesn't derail treatment.

For help connecting patients with pharmacies that have their medications in stock, visit Medfinder for Providers.

What Patients Are Paying for ADHD Medications

The Daytrana Pricing Picture

When available, Daytrana's cash price was $350-$500 for a 30-day supply — among the highest in the ADHD medication category. Several factors drove this cost:

• No generic available: Daytrana was the only methylphenidate transdermal patch, and no generic was ever approved
• Specialized manufacturing: Transdermal drug delivery systems are more complex and costly to produce than oral formulations
• Insurance barriers: Many payers required prior authorization and step therapy (oral methylphenidate first), and some excluded Daytrana entirely

What Patients Pay Now

Patients transitioning from Daytrana to alternative ADHD medications face varying costs:

• Generic methylphenidate ER (Concerta generic): $30-$80/month with coupons
• Brand Concerta: $200-$400/month cash price
• Ritalin LA: $150-$300/month (brand); generic available at lower cost
• Quillivant XR (liquid): $200-$350/month — often needed for patients who chose Daytrana because they couldn't swallow pills
• Generic Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine): Now available, significantly reducing costs for this option

The good news for your patients: most oral methylphenidate alternatives have generic options that are dramatically less expensive than Daytrana ever was.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Daytrana Savings (No Longer Active)

Noven Pharmaceuticals previously offered a copay savings card that reduced patient costs to as low as $25/month. This program is no longer active since the medication was discontinued. Patients may still encounter outdated references to this program online.

Current Manufacturer Programs for Alternatives

When transitioning patients to alternative ADHD medications, consider these active manufacturer programs:

• Janssen (Concerta): May offer copay assistance for brand Concerta
• Takeda/generic lisdexamfetamine: With Vyvanse going generic, costs have dropped substantially, but brand copay cards may still be available
• Quillivant XR: Check the manufacturer's website for current savings programs — this is especially relevant for former Daytrana patients who need a non-pill option

Encourage your front-office staff to maintain a current list of manufacturer savings programs for commonly prescribed ADHD medications.

Coupon and Discount Cards

Prescription discount cards can provide significant savings, particularly for patients who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn't cover their prescribed medication. The most useful platforms include:

GoodRx

GoodRx provides free coupons that can reduce the cash price of ADHD medications at most pharmacies. Patients simply show the coupon at the pharmacy counter. GoodRx is especially helpful for generic medications where savings can be 50-80% off cash price.

SingleCare

Similar to GoodRx, SingleCare offers prescription discount coupons accepted at major pharmacy chains. Some patients find better prices on SingleCare than GoodRx depending on the medication and pharmacy.

RxSaver, BuzzRx, and Others

Multiple discount card platforms exist, and prices can vary between them. Encourage patients to compare prices across 2-3 platforms before filling. For a comprehensive look at savings options, see our patient-facing guide on saving money on Daytrana and ADHD medications.

Important Notes for Providers

• Discount cards cannot be combined with insurance — patients must choose one or the other at the pharmacy counter
• Some discount prices may actually be lower than insurance copays, especially for generics on high-deductible plans
• These are not insurance and do not count toward deductibles

Generic Alternatives and Therapeutic Substitution

One of the most impactful ways to help patients save money is by prescribing medications with available generics. Since Daytrana had no generic, patients were locked into brand pricing. The transition away from Daytrana is actually an opportunity to move to more affordable options:

When Generic Methylphenidate ER Works

For patients who were on Daytrana primarily for ADHD symptom control (rather than specifically needing transdermal delivery), generic methylphenidate ER tablets offer:

• Substantially lower cost ($30-$80/month vs. $350-$500)
• Wide availability at all pharmacies
• Proven efficacy with decades of clinical data

When Patients Need Non-Oral Options

Some patients chose Daytrana because they couldn't swallow pills or had GI issues. For these patients:

• Quillivant XR: Extended-release liquid methylphenidate — the closest alternative for pill-swallowing difficulty. More expensive but may have manufacturer support.
• Ritalin LA capsules: Can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce for patients who can't swallow capsules whole

Therapeutic Switching Considerations

When switching from Daytrana, keep in mind:

• Transdermal and oral bioavailability differ — dose equivalency is not straightforward
• Start the new medication at a conservative dose and titrate based on response
• Monitor for differences in onset, duration, and side effect profile
• Document the reason for the switch (Daytrana discontinuation) in the medical record for insurance purposes

Patient Assistance Programs

For patients with financial hardship, patient assistance programs (PAPs) can provide medications at no cost or very low cost:

• NeedyMeds (needymeds.org): Database of patient assistance programs searchable by medication
• RxAssist (rxassist.org): Comprehensive directory of PAPs from pharmaceutical manufacturers
• RxHope (rxhope.com): Connects patients with manufacturer assistance programs

While Daytrana-specific PAPs are no longer active, these resources can help patients find assistance for whatever alternative medication they transition to.

State and Local Programs

Many states offer prescription assistance programs for low-income residents. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) often have sliding-fee scales and access to 340B drug pricing, which can dramatically reduce medication costs.

Building Cost Conversations Into Your Practice

Research consistently shows that patients often don't raise cost concerns unless asked directly. Here are practical strategies for integrating cost discussions into your ADHD management workflow:

Ask About Cost Early and Often

At each medication management visit, ask:

• "Are you having any trouble affording your medication?"
• "Has your insurance coverage changed since our last visit?"
• "Are you skipping doses or stretching your supply to save money?"

Patients who skip doses or ration medications due to cost are at risk for suboptimal ADHD management, which can affect school performance, work productivity, and quality of life.

Document Cost Barriers

When patients report cost barriers, document this in the medical record. This documentation supports:

• Prior authorization appeals
• Formulary exception requests
• Patient assistance program applications
• Therapeutic substitution justifications

Empower Your Staff

Train your clinical staff to:

• Maintain a list of current discount card options and manufacturer savings programs
• Help patients navigate prior authorization processes
• Connect patients with social workers or financial counselors when needed
• Use tools like Medfinder for Providers to check medication availability and help patients find their medications in stock

Consider Cost When Prescribing

When initiating ADHD treatment or switching from Daytrana, consider the following cost hierarchy:

1. Generic methylphenidate products (most affordable)
2. Generic amphetamine products (lisdexamfetamine now generic)
3. Brand medications with active copay assistance
4. Brand medications without assistance (most expensive)

Starting with a generic when clinically appropriate can prevent cost barriers from developing in the first place.

The Daytrana-to-Alternative Transition: A Cost Opportunity

While losing Daytrana as a treatment option is unfortunate, the silver lining is that most alternative ADHD medications are significantly less expensive. Frame this positively for your patients:

• Generic methylphenidate ER may cost $30-$80/month vs. Daytrana's $350-$500
• Insurance coverage is typically better for oral formulations
• Prior authorization is less commonly required for generic options
• Multiple discount card options exist for all major ADHD medications

For patients who are anxious about switching, reassuring them about both clinical efficacy and cost savings can ease the transition.

Final Thoughts

Medication cost is a treatment adherence issue, and as providers, we have a responsibility to address it proactively. While Daytrana's discontinuation presents challenges for patients who relied on its unique transdermal delivery, the transition to available alternatives also offers a chance to reduce the financial burden of ADHD treatment.

By staying informed about savings programs, prescribing cost-effectively, and building cost conversations into your workflow, you can help ensure that affordability never stands between your patients and effective ADHD management.

For more provider resources, including tools to check medication availability for your patients, visit Medfinder for Providers. For clinical information about Daytrana, see our guides on what providers need to know about the Daytrana shortage and how to help patients find Daytrana in stock.