DAYTRANA vs RITALIN LA

Independent side-by-side comparison.

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

Possible drug interaction. DAYTRANA and RITALIN LA 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	DAYTRANA	RITALIN LA
Rating	54/100	68/100
Pharmacy pays	~$18.94 /30	~$18.94 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	METHYLPHENIDATE	METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Noven Pharms Inc	Sandoz
Dosage forms	Patch	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	about 2.7 hours
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Depressive Disorder, Narcolepsy

daytrana ritalin la

Rating

54/100

68/100

Pharmacy pays

~$18.94 /30

Type

Active ingredient

METHYLPHENIDATE

METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Noven Pharms Inc

Sandoz

Dosage forms

Patch

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

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Daytrana or Ritalin La?

By our independent rating, Ritalin La scores higher — 3.4 vs 2.7 out of 5 for Daytrana. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Daytrana or Ritalin La?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $18.94 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Daytrana and Ritalin La?

Daytrana contains Methylphenidate, while Ritalin La contains Methylphenidate 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.