CONCERTA vs MODAFINIL

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated October 5, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CONCERTA and MODAFINIL 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	MODAFINIL
Rating	72/100	72/100
Pharmacy pays	~$18.94 /30	~$10.45 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE	MODAFINIL
Manufacturer	Janssen Pharms	Appco
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Tablet
Drug class	Central Nervous System Stimulant	Sympathomimetic-Like Agent
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	None
Half-life	about 2.7 hours	—
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Fatigue, Narcolepsy

concerta modafinil

Rating

72/100

Pharmacy pays

~$18.94 /30

~$10.45 /30

Type

Active ingredient

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

MODAFINIL

Manufacturer

Janssen Pharms

Appco

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Tablet

Drug class

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Sympathomimetic-Like Agent

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 2.7 hours

—

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Fatigue, Narcolepsy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Concerta or Modafinil?

Concerta and Modafinil are tied at 3.6 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Concerta or Modafinil?

Modafinil costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $10.45 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 Concerta and Modafinil?

Concerta contains Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, while Modafinil contains Modafinil — 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.