CAFFEINE CITRATE vs DAYTRANA

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 23, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CAFFEINE CITRATE and DAYTRANA 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	CAFFEINE CITRATE	DAYTRANA
Rating	68/100	54/100
Pharmacy pays	~$2.58 /30	~$18.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	CAFFEINE CITRATE	METHYLPHENIDATE
Manufacturer	Fresenius Kabi USA	Noven Pharms Inc
Dosage forms	Injectable, Solution	Patch
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
Half-life	—	about 2.7 hours
Treats	Apnea, Fatigue	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

caffeine citrate daytrana

Rating

68/100

54/100

Pharmacy pays

~$2.58 /30

~$18.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

CAFFEINE CITRATE

METHYLPHENIDATE

Manufacturer

Fresenius Kabi USA

Noven Pharms Inc

Dosage forms

Injectable, Solution

Patch

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

Half-life

—

about 2.7 hours

Treats

Apnea, Fatigue

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Caffeine Citrate or Daytrana?

By our independent rating, Caffeine Citrate scores higher — 3.4 vs 2.7 out of 5 for Daytrana. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Caffeine Citrate or Daytrana?

Caffeine Citrate costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $2.58 vs $18.94 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 Caffeine Citrate and Daytrana?

Caffeine Citrate contains Caffeine Citrate, while Daytrana contains Methylphenidate — 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.