Comprehensive medication guide to Azstarys including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$60 copay with savings card; prior authorization and step therapy often required, some plans don't cover it.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$350–$571/month retail; eligible patients can pay as low as $60/month with the manufacturer copay savings card.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
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Azstarys is a once-daily prescription stimulant medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients aged 6 and older. It is manufactured by Corium, a Sun Pharmaceutical company.
Azstarys combines two active ingredients: serdexmethylphenidate (SDX), a prodrug that slowly converts into dexmethylphenidate in the body, and immediate-release dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH). This unique prodrug design provides both rapid onset and extended duration of ADHD symptom control throughout the day.
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Azstarys works by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain — two neurotransmitters essential for focus, attention, and impulse control. It does this by blocking the reuptake of these chemicals into nerve cells, making more of them available in the brain.
What makes Azstarys unique is its prodrug component (serdexmethylphenidate). The prodrug must be metabolized in the body before it becomes active dexmethylphenidate, which means the medication is released gradually over the course of the day. Combined with the immediate-release component, patients get fast-acting relief that lasts.
26.1 mg SDX / 5.2 mg d-MPH
oral capsule (lowest dose)
39.2 mg SDX / 7.8 mg d-MPH
oral capsule (mid dose)
52.3 mg SDX / 10.4 mg d-MPH
oral capsule (highest dose)
Azstarys scores a 55 out of 100 on our findability scale, meaning it can be intermittently difficult to find at your local pharmacy. While Azstarys is not listed in the FDA's official drug shortage database, it is a brand-only Schedule II stimulant — and the broader ADHD medication demand surge that began in late 2022 continues to cause ripple effects across all stimulant medications.
Because no generic version of Azstarys exists yet, pharmacies may not routinely stock it. You may need to call ahead or use a tool like Medfinder to locate pharmacies that have it in stock near you.
As a Schedule II controlled substance, Azstarys must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider with DEA prescribing authority. Common prescribers include:
Telehealth providers may also prescribe Azstarys in many states, though DEA regulations on telehealth stimulant prescribing continue to evolve.
Yes. Azstarys is classified as a Schedule II (CII) controlled substance by the DEA. This is the same classification as Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta, and other stimulant ADHD medications.
This means:
Serious but less common side effects include psychiatric reactions (hallucinations, mania), cardiovascular events, priapism, and peripheral vasculopathy. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious symptoms.
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Focalin XR (Dexmethylphenidate ER)
contains the same active metabolite as Azstarys but without the prodrug component; available as a generic
Concerta (Methylphenidate ER)
extended-release methylphenidate using OROS technology; available as a generic
Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)
another prodrug stimulant for ADHD, now available as generic lisdexamfetamine
Jornay PM (Methylphenidate)
delayed-release methylphenidate taken at night for morning symptom control; brand-only
Ritalin LA / Generic Methylphenidate ER
widely available extended-release methylphenidate options
Prefer Azstarys? We can find it.
MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs)
moderatecontraindicated ; do not take Azstarys within 14 days of stopping an MAOI due to risk of hypertensive crisis
Halogenated anesthetics
moderaterisk of sudden blood pressure increase during surgery; inform your anesthesiologist
Blood thinners (Warfarin)
moderateAzstarys may increase warfarin levels; INR monitoring recommended
Anticonvulsants (Phenobarbital, Phenytoin)
moderateblood levels may increase
Antihypertensive medications
moderateAzstarys may decrease their effectiveness
Tricyclic antidepressants
moderatepossible increased blood levels
Azstarys is a unique ADHD medication that offers a prodrug-based approach to extended-release stimulant therapy. Its combination of immediate and gradual-release dexmethylphenidate provides all-day symptom control in a single morning dose.
The main challenges with Azstarys are its high cash price ($350–$571/month without insurance), lack of a generic alternative, and intermittent availability at pharmacies. However, the manufacturer's copay savings card can reduce costs to $60 or less for commercially insured patients.
If you're having trouble finding Azstarys in stock, use Medfinder to search pharmacies near you in real time — no more calling around.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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