CONCERTA vs FOCALIN XR

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CONCERTA 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	CONCERTA	FOCALIN XR
Rating	70/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$18.94 /30	~$46.03 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Janssen Pharms	Sandoz
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

concerta focalin xr

Rating

70/100

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$18.94 /30

~$46.03 /30

Type

Active ingredient

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Janssen Pharms

Sandoz

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

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Concerta or Focalin XR?

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

Which is cheaper, Concerta or Focalin XR?

Concerta costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $18.94 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 Concerta and Focalin XR?

Concerta contains Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, 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.