CONCERTA vs DEXEDRINE SPANSULE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 18, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CONCERTA and DEXEDRINE SPANSULE 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	CONCERTA	DEXEDRINE SPANSULE
Rating	70/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$18.94 /30	~$29.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE
Manufacturer	Janssen Pharms	Impax
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Central Nervous System Stimulant
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 2.7 hours	—
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy

concerta dexedrine spansule

Rating

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$18.94 /30

~$29.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE

Manufacturer

Janssen Pharms

Impax

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 2.7 hours

—

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Narcolepsy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Concerta or Dexedrine Spansule?

Concerta and Dexedrine Spansule are tied at 3.5 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Concerta or Dexedrine Spansule?

Concerta costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $18.94 vs $29.94 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 Concerta and Dexedrine Spansule?

Concerta contains Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, while Dexedrine Spansule contains Dextroamphetamine Sulfate — 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.