Best Central Nervous System Stimulant for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity
Top-rated pick: Dextroamphetamine Sulfate — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 23 Central Nervous System Stimulant drugs used for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity or the full Central Nervous System Stimulant class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 23 central nervous system stimulant drugs we rate for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, 20 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are capsule. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How central nervous system stimulant work
CNS stimulants raise the levels of the brain's signaling chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, either by releasing more of them or by blocking their reuptake. This heightened activity in attention and arousal circuits increases alertness, energy, and focus.
Other drug classes for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity
Top central nervous system stimulant for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity: 1. Dextroamphetamine Sulfate · 2. Amphetamine Sulfate · 3. Arynta
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $30 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $479 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | No data | — | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $19 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $30 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $19 | View → | |
| 8 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $19 | View → | |
| 9 | 68/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $46 | View → | |
| 10 | 68/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $46 | View → |
Full ranking · 23 drugs
dextroamphetamine sulfate
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dextroamphetamine Sulfate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$12.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classamphetamine sulfate
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Amphetamine Sulfate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$11.34/30· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classarynta
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Arynta (Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Binge Drinking.
Price varies
concerta
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Concerta (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classdexedrine spansule
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dexedrine Spansule (Dextroamphetamine Sulfate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$12.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classlisdexamfetamine dimesylate
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Binge Drinking.
Price varies
methylin
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Methylin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classrelexxii
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Relexxii (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in class
focalin
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Focalin (Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$27.57/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classfocalin xr
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Focalin XR (Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$27.57/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classritalin
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classritalin la
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Ritalin La (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in class
xelstrym
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Xelstrym (Dextroamphetamine) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$12.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classdaytrana
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Daytrana (Methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classadzenys xr-odt
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Adzenys XR-ODT (Amphetamine) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$11.34/30· 8 forms Save up to 99% in classaptensio xr
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Aptensio XR (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classcotempla xr-odt
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cotempla XR-ODT (Methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classjornay pm
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Jornay Pm (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classmetadate cd
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Metadate Cd (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classmethylphenidate hydrochloride
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Methylphenidate Hydrochloride is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classquillichew er
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Quillichew ER (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in classquillivant xr
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Quillivant XR (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$4.12/30· 8 forms Save up to 86% in class
vyvanse
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate) is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Binge Drinking.
Price varies
Frequently asked
- What is the best central nervous system stimulant for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — dextroamphetamine sulfate ranks highest among Central Nervous System Stimulant drugs used for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Always consult a professional.
- Which central nervous system stimulant drugs treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity?
- pharmaranks lists 23 Central Nervous System Stimulant products used for attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.