CAFFEINE CITRATE vs FOCALIN XR

Independent side-by-side comparison.

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

Possible drug interaction. CAFFEINE CITRATE and FOCALIN XR 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	FOCALIN XR
Rating	68/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$2.58 /30	~$46.03 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	CAFFEINE CITRATE	DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Fresenius Kabi USA	Sandoz
Dosage forms	Injectable, Solution	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
Treats	Apnea, Fatigue	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

caffeine citrate focalin xr

Rating

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$2.58 /30

~$46.03 /30

Type

Active ingredient

CAFFEINE CITRATE

DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Fresenius Kabi USA

Sandoz

Dosage forms

Injectable, Solution

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

Treats

Apnea, Fatigue

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Caffeine Citrate or Focalin XR?

Caffeine Citrate and Focalin XR are tied at 3.4 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Caffeine Citrate or Focalin XR?

Caffeine Citrate costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $2.58 vs $46.03 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 Focalin XR?

Caffeine Citrate contains Caffeine Citrate, while Focalin XR 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.