AMPHETAMINE SULFATE vs FOCALIN

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. AMPHETAMINE SULFATE and FOCALIN are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	AMPHETAMINE SULFATE	FOCALIN
Rating	70/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$478.55 /30	~$46.03 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	AMPHETAMINE SULFATE	DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Epic Pharma LLC	Sandoz
Dosage forms	Tablet	Tablet
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 10 to 11 hours for d-amphetamine (range 9.8 to 11 hours) and about 12 to 14 hours for l-amphetamine (range 11.5 to 13.8 hours) in healthy adults	—
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

amphetamine sulfate focalin

Rating

70/100

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$478.55 /30

~$46.03 /30

Type

Active ingredient

AMPHETAMINE SULFATE

DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Epic Pharma LLC

Sandoz

Dosage forms

Tablet

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 10 to 11 hours for d-amphetamine (range 9.8 to 11 hours) and about 12 to 14 hours for l-amphetamine (range 11.5 to 13.8 hours) in healthy adults

—

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Amphetamine Sulfate or Focalin?

By our independent rating, Amphetamine Sulfate scores higher — 3.5 vs 3.4 out of 5 for Focalin. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Amphetamine Sulfate or Focalin?

Focalin costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $46.03 vs $478.55 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Amphetamine Sulfate and Focalin?

Amphetamine Sulfate contains Amphetamine Sulfate, while Focalin contains Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.