CONCERTA vs DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

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

Possible drug interaction. CONCERTA and DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE 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	DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE
Rating	70/100	72/100
Pharmacy pays	~$18.94 /30	~$29.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE
Manufacturer	Janssen Pharms	Tris Pharma Inc
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Capsule, extended release, Solution, Tablet
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 dextroamphetamine sulfate

Rating

70/100

72/100

Pharmacy pays

~$18.94 /30

~$29.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE

Manufacturer

Janssen Pharms

Tris Pharma Inc

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Capsule, extended release, Solution, Tablet

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 Dextroamphetamine Sulfate?

By our independent rating, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.5 out of 5 for Concerta. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Concerta or Dextroamphetamine Sulfate?

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 Dextroamphetamine Sulfate?

Concerta contains Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, while Dextroamphetamine Sulfate 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.